Just in case you are an automotive aficionado, it is most likely that you are familiar with the Nürburgring racetrack. The most renowned racetrack is located near the village of Nürburg, in Germany, and is home to several carmakers’ test facilities and without any doubt an eventual proving ground for brand new vehicles. Besides, it won’t be an overestimation to say that the thrilling racetrack is the most favored destination for adrenaline junkies who love to show off their extraordinary skills. Speaking of racing cars, certain sites like CarSwitch help you to find used racing cars and thus pursue your passion even if you are on a budget.
As far as the Nürburgring is concerned, it actually comprises two racetracks i.e. the GP circuit and also the notorious Northern loop also called the Nordschleife. Although both of these two have their fascination, it is the Northern Loop that truly is one of the dangerous race tracks that drivers ever come across. The history of this iconic racetrack makes it even more appealing as it dates back to 1925 when construction was initiated with the first races starting in 1927. To this date, the racetrack has been hosting some of the most prestigious races to woo drivers and enthusiasts alike. It is also worth mentioning here that the Nordschleife is the lengthiest racetrack in the world that spans 12.94 miles.
The question that arises at this point is why tackling the Nürburgring is not an easy task to accomplish and why the track is so infamously risky. Let’s have a look at the three main reasons and find the answer.
Elevation Change
It is in fact a lot of elevation change that makes the Nordschleife so nightmarish for drivers. As far as the difference between its lowest and highest points is concerned, you will find it really amazing to know that it is as much as 985 feet. In addition, the scariest part is that the elevation change won’t occur gradually, but unexpectedly and suddenly. There are several places across this dangerous racetrack where vehicles can get some air-time and the unexpected and abrupt elevation change can be annoying for the best vehicles out there.
When it comes to one of the toughest portions of the Nurburgring, it is a section known as the “Fox hole”. This part includes five sweeping corners that can be taken at full speed. The complicated part is right at the last corner in which the track goes into a risky steep downhill descent right after a steep elevation. It was just at this point that you will experience more G-force than you have ever experienced in a car.
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Blind Corners
The presence of as many as 154 corners undoubtedly makes The Nordschleife a thrilling racetrack and you would also be amazed to know that some older versions of the track also enhanced the number to 170. Out of the aforementioned corner, there is almost 90 percent that are blind corners and which clearly means that you don’t know what you are confronting on the other end. The most dangerous of all these corners are “Kallenhard ” which is almost five miles into the track. This corner has a very late apex while getting very tight almost the end just before what most drivers foresee the turn should end.
Absence of Safety Run-Off Areas
While keeping in view the dangerous nature of racetracks, it is not surprising that most racetracks do have run-off areas that allow for out-of-control cars to safely leave from the racetrack. You can think of it as another choice where you can easily catch a fence or even a safety net. As far as the Nürburgring is concerned, there are very few corners on the racetracks that can even be deemed a safe run-off area. In some of the sections of the Nordschleife, you will be amazed to find out that there is less than the one-meter area that separates the racetrack from the barriers and which is the reason behind the guard rails being scraped and dented quite often.
