LOR Trackguide Nuerburgring Wippermann
Contents
First Corner (Right hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 125 mph [202 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 100 mph [161 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 27.43 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.94 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 30.37 seconds
The important part of this medium speed right hander is the exit. How well you exit the turn will determine how fast you are through the next two turns. To get a good exit you need a late apex, and as the track is constantly dropping away from you it is difficult to see that apex until you are almost on top of it. So some practice will be necessary to determine the correct turn in point. The left hand bend just prior to this right hander can be taken flat. You'll have to shift up to third around the time you go over the crest of the hill at the bend. Stay near the left as you go through the bend and be prepared for the rear to get a little light as you start down the hill. Just keep the power down and you'll be fine. A small amount of correction may be needed, but nothing serious.
Back to the right hand turn. It's difficult to give an exact reference point for turning in or braking here. It's more of a 'feel' thing. But the braking part is very minimal, just tap the brakes and back off the power. Then keep a steady throttle through the rest of the turn. To start with, try backing off about midway between the left hander and the right hander. Then as you get comfortable move your braking point a little later each lap, until you are backing off about two-thirds of the way between the turns.
There is a slight bump in the track after which the track starts going downhill and into this turn. You should be turning in by this point. Make sure you don't turn in too much too soon or you'll hit the apex very early and ruin that late apex necessary for a good exit. Gently bring the car into the corner, and then hold it against the inside edge until you are practically at the exit of the turn. Then try to add some power and move towards the middle of the track. You probably won't get to full power, but that is not your goal here. It is more important to get a good line for the following left hander.
Second Corner (left hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 100 mph [161 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 85 mph [137 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 30.84 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.62 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 33.46 seconds
This left hander, like the previous turn, is about the exit. A good one will line you up well for the following turn, which is all about exit speed. A shift down to second gear along with some gentle braking will get you through this turn just fine. You should be near the middle of the track as you leave the previous turn. When you get alongside the white line on your left, downshift to second and gently brake. Hold the brakes for a moment, then release them and get back on the power.
Maintain a steady throttle as you bring the car in to the apex, reaching it midway through the turn. As you progress keep as much power on as you can, but make sure you stay near the inside edge of the turn. Don't let the car drift out too soon at the exit. You are still going downhill at this point and as the track transitions from this left hander to the following right hander there is a significant bump, which will cause the car to slide out to the right a little. So use this to your advantage by keeping the car to the left slightly longer than normal and then letting the car slide over this bump towards the middle of the track. You probably won't be able to get much power on as you leave this turn, but that's not the point. A good exit line placing you near the middle of the track is what counts.
Third Corner (Right hander)
- Entrance speed: approximately 90 mph [145 kph]
- Speed through the corner: approximately 85 mph [137 kph]
- Arrival time at the corner: 5 minutes 33.91 seconds
- Time to negotiate the corner: 2.55 seconds
- Exit time of the corner: 5 minutes 36.46 seconds
This right hander leads onto a straight, of sorts, so a good smooth exit will help gain a few tenths. The track starts to descend more rapidly as you turn in and continues to run downhill all the way through the turn. This will cause the car to oversteer much more quickly than usual, so a delicate touch on the accelerator is needed. Don't worry about the brake pedal as you never use it on this turn.
You'll be in second gear near the middle of the track as you leave the previous turn. Add a little power as you approach the corner. This will help to push the rear out to the left, turn you into the corner, and maintain your speed. Turn in gently just before the racing groove lightens. Use the throttle to keep the car balanced. If you start to oversteer get off the power gently and wait until the car comes back to you. Jumping off the power will not help the car recover, so be smooth if you release the throttle.
As you turn in, aim for a late apex. You'll only stay against it for a moment before beginning to power out to the left. Straighten the wheel out as you pass the apex and add some more power. You may power slide out to the left, but keep the power steady and ride the slide. The car will fully grip in a moment, and when it does gently press the accelerator to the floor. Let the car go right out to the left, reaching the edge of the track just after that very small bump in the track.
