Hotel which I stay at is the "Hotel an der Nordschleife" right beside the track. Walk across the road and you can watch them racing until your heart content when its not open to the public. If you want a bit of bar life get a hotel in the town as the Nordschliefe is a bit out of the way unless you like a walk. There is a small bar next to it. Then there is the track. I have done a few laps on here shall we say, but never the GP track. I used to race motorcycles when I was young and had no brains, but this track is something different. It is the most intimidating track I have ever raced/ rode on. I have raced against the clock on my sports bike as well as in a car, in the dry and the rain. In the rain it was truly like a skid pan. My seat belt tensioners fire off once in my car its not funny putting up with a seat belt which was trying to strangle you as your flat out around a curve. I lost my bike in the rain and somehow after a bit of off road riding kept it up. Many people crash here and you will see especially in the rain so take care. If you crash and damage the track then the rule is you pay for it, so it can be expensive. You can get insurance as my mate did luckly as he wrapped up his Lotus, again in the wet. The buzz is brilliant when you are on it.
Driving tips are: It is expensive to do a lap but don't think you can go on and drive flat out. First lap go out and ENJOY it, yes drive fast but stay well within your limits, there are 2 corners (Bowls)which I think will raise your eye brows when you hit them. Then after that and all surprises are out of the way obviously try harder, but watch out for the guy in front he could well be a local ;-) . Golden rule, you can only overtake on the left and keep you eyes on your mirrors, as your hot hatches will not be so hot there. Enjoy :-)
