LOR Trackguide Nuerburgring Karussell
Contents
First Corner (Left hander - the Karussell)
- Entrance speed: approximately 125-130 mph [202-210 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 50 mph [81 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 4 minutes 53.43 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 7.77 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 1.20 seconds
The Karussell is probably one of the most famous corners at the Nurburgring. It is certainly the most distinctive with a very narrow banked section which is just wide enough for one car. You can still make the turn if you fail to stay on the banking, but you'll be much slower.
As you leave the previous left hander you'll be in second gear near the left side of the track. There is a tall tree almost straight ahead of you which is what you want to aim for. Keep this tree dead ahead of you and accelerate as hard as possible towards it. Shift up to third and just clip the bushes, first on your left and then on your right. Just as you clip the bushes on the right start to brake as hard as possible and begin to downshift to first gear. Keep the tree lined up ahead of you.
Just before you get to the banked section release the brakes and get back on the power. The track dips away very fast here. If you are braking you'll definitely lock the front wheels up. The perfect line will let you transition smoothly onto the banking and get round it at a constant 50 mph. However if you were unable to slow down enough or had an incorrect line you may slide up and off the banking. This won't hurt the car as there is a lot of extra track to the right, but it will slow you down considerably. If you think you're not on a perfect line or are going slightly too fast aim for just below the banking. You'll drop off the track and slide up- towards the banking, which will catch you and let you get round the corner.
As you go through the turn in first gear keep as much power on as possible. Too much will make you slide up and over the top of the banking. As it's just wide enough for your car it's quite easy to slip off it when you are right on the limit. You definitely don't want to do this. If you have to leave the banking at all make sure it is to the bottom.
You won't be able to get any really acceleration going until right at the exit of the banking. Just before you leave the banking get back on the power. Quickly get back to full power as you leave the banking and then shift up to second gear. Aim for the bushes on the right as you leave the turn. You should be able to get round the following right hand bend at full power. Just clip the bushes and then aim for the left side of the track, reaching it just after the crowd on the left.
Second Corner (Left hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 142 mph [229 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 115 mph [185 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 8.85 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.42 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 11.27 seconds
This fast left hander can be taken with just a brush on the brakes. The flag man who stands at this corner is lucky to live through the race with all the cars cutting the apex too much! But never mind him. You'll be up to fourth gear as you approach this turn. Go under the Goodyear bridge near the left side of the track, then start to bring the car over towards the right side of the track. Use the bends in the track to bring the right side of the track to you, rather than trying to steer the car there too soon. Just after the final right hand bend before this turn is when you should reach the edge of the track.
About halfway between the last right hand bend and the corner brake moderately for a moment and then release the brakes. As you release the brakes turn into the corner, aiming for a mid apex. You can run over the grass some here, so don't worry about that. After releasing the brakes, gently apply the power then keep the car steady through the apex. It will be sliding once you pass the apex so adding more power will then get the car under control, allowing you to exit the corner with a nice power slide. If you turned in a bit too early or ran over too much of the grass you'll have to wait a little while longer before you can add power as the car will be sliding much more and your nice power slide will end up being a loud and expensive encounter with the fence. Let the car go right out to the edge of the track with a little opposite lock to finish off the slide.
Third Corner (Left hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 125 mph [202 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 90 mph [145 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 13.13 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.74 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 15.87 seconds
This turn and the following one are very fun and can gain you a lot of time as you don't need much braking if done correctly. You'll be in fourth gear as you leave the last turn. There is a left hand bend just before this left hand turn. Bring the car towards the middle of the track for this bend and then allow it to drift back out to the right afterwards. Continue to accelerate as hard as possible as you go through this bend. Then as it straightens out brake moderately and shift down to second gear. Once you reach second gear ease off the brakes, turning in slightly as you do so.
This momentary trail-braking will help you get settled into the turn properly. Then get back on the power at about 30- 40% of maximum. Take a late apex under this constant power and then increase it to full as you leave the apex. This turn is cambered in your favor at the apex which allows you to use less braking and more power. However as the following corner is also cambered you have to go over a slight bump just after leaving this apex. So be aware of this as the car may get unstable for a moment.
Fourth Corner (Right hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 90 mph [145 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 80 mph [129 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 16.51 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.21 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 18.72 seconds
This right hander completes the wonderful left-right turn. You'll be in second gear as you power out of the previous turn. Pull the car across the track aiming for an early apex. Keep the power down until a moment before reaching the apex. Then back off the power and turn into the corner. The track has a good camber to it and the starts uphill at the turn's exit, so no braking is required. However as you are going quite fast through the turn getting the power down too quickly could push the rear wheels out to the left. This would make the front of the car want to slide down to the right and you'll get quite a severe slide going even though you are not traveling that fast. So as you exit the turn gradually increase your power reaching full acceleration only once you are at the left side of the track. At this point straighten the car out and continue up the hill towards the Hohe- Acht section.
