Race Car Driver for a Day at Nurburgring

Toyota GT86

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a car fanatic. Last fall I was able to visit the Paris Auto Show and fell in love with the Subaru BRZ. For those of you who don’t know, the car was a joint effort by both Toyota and Subaru. In Europe it’s called the Toyota GT86 but in the US it’s branded as the Scion FRS; Subaru sticks with the BRZ name.

Nurburgring race track entrance

For you car enthusiasts out there, you may have heard of the Nordschleife track at the Nurburgring. If you haven’t, it’s a world famous challenging racetrack set outside a small German town. The track is just under 13 miles of hills and challenging blind corners. It is most famous for the 24 hour race it hosts each year which includes normal cars to super-cars. The track is also featured in countless Top Gear episodes from testing various cars to unique challenges to entertain viewers.

Bjorn familiarizing me with the car

While researching the ring, I came across a company that immediately peaked my interest when I discovered they rent race track ready cars for track days at the ring. With Rent Race Car you can choose from a number of different cars based on your budget and experience level. For as little as €99 you can race a car around the track. That may seem like a lot for a rental car but these are no ordinary cars. Each car they rent is set-up specifically for racing at Nurburgring. Bjorn from Rent Race Car explained the differences in the cars they provide and also gave me a quick safety brief before heading out onto the track. I especially got a laugh out of the numerous jokes reminding me that you’re not racing in a video game and there is not a reset button on these cars.They have semi-slick race tires, upgraded suspension and brakes, and a roll cage installed for added safety. Rent Race Car is one of tracks partners and has been helping customers fulfill their racing dreams for eight years now.

Racing the track is certainly a challenge as it’s a very hilly course. Most of the corners are blind turns with no clear line of site for the track. Also, on the day I went the weather was not cooperating as it had been raining. With a €6000 deductible if I were to crash, I took it fairly easy around the course. I’m not going to say I didn’t push the car at times, as there were numerous times coming around corners that the rear wheel drive GT86 would like to kick out but thankfully the traction control would kick in and keep me nice and straight. After two laps at the Nordschleife, my adrenaline was kicking and even a few days later I can’t wait to return one day.

Porsche GT3 is one of the rentals available from Rent Race Car

Know Before You Go

Thank you to Rent Race Car for hosting me for my evening at the track. As always, all opinions (and decisions to attempt to race a fast car on a challenging track in the rain) are entirely my own.