Why Brits love the Nürburgring

Until a few years ago the Nürburgring was an historical curio tucked deep in the Eifel mountains about an hour west of Cologne.

The old circuit, known as the Nordschleife or north loop, had long since fallen out of front line use, big events like the DTM and F1 moving to the adjacent Grand Prix circuit. Opened in 1984, it addressed the Nordschleife's issues of non existent safety features with modern run off areas and gravel traps.

GALLERY: Nürburgring action

During the week manufacturers used the old Nordschleife as the ultimate shakedown test for their latest prototypes while at weekends the track was open for Touristfahren - literally tourist driving. Videos exist of crazy locals tipping their VW Beetles and Opel Asconas on their roofs while braying crowds of beer swilling spectators cheer on. But outside of Germany it was left to a hardcore of enthusiasts to follow in the footsteps of Rosemeyer, Fangio, Moss and other legends who raced here since it opened in 1926.

Then came the internet and video games and a man called Clarkson. All of a sudden every spotty 16-year-old with a PlayStation could recite Nürburgring corner names and tell you the correct line through Flugplatz and the Karusell. YouTube and fan sites are packed with DIY video clips of people's personal moments of Nürburgring glory or infamy. And when Top Gear visited millions of viewers saw Jeremy Clarkson trying to get a Jaguar S-Type around the 14-mile circuit in under 10 minutes. The show also made a hero of his no-nonsense instructor, local star Sabine Schmitz, who famously attempted to match Clarkson's time in a Ford Transit.

As a result Touristfahren sessions are now packed with Brits, attracted by the fact anyone can turn up at the Nordschleife, pay their 19 Euros and head out onto what is loosely referred to as 'a one-way toll road.' 300,000 tourist laps are driven every year with everything from barely road legal Porsches to superbikes and buses full of waving tourists all at the same time. It sounds insane and it sometimes is. It also sounds very dangerous and it can be. But it is also one of the most thrilling experiences you can have on four wheels. Just check your insurance small print first.

On a recent visit to the 'ring we chatted with a selection of British visitors to find out how they were getting on and what inspired them to come in the first place. Regulars and first timers driving everything from £200 bangers to tricked out track specials, it seems the 'ring works the same magic whatever car you drive.

GALLERY: great cars in the Nürburgring car park

Name: Ben
Age: 27
From: Wiltshire
Car: Nissan Silvia S14A with plenty of tweaks.
How many times have you been? It's my first time.
What inspired you to come? I saw it on Top Gear and in computer games.
Any scary moments? I do find when they overtake you they get pretty darn close so that can be a bit hairy.
Will you be back? Oh yes, definitely.

Name: Ian
Age: 36
From: UK.
Car: Vauxhall VX220
How many times have you been? First time.
What inspired you to come? A boys' weekend away. It's one of those things you have to do and it's so different from going to Brands or Silverstone.
Any scary moments? It's a bit scary in the wet and I've spun it already. I didn't hit anything though. It's a bit scary but it's a lot more raw.
Will you be back? Absolutely.

Name: Emlyn
Age: 37
From: Fareham
Car: Alfa Romeo GTV
How many times have you been? It's my first time, I've done five laps now.
What inspired you to come? To go faster than the Transit on Top Gear.
Any scary moments? I had one on the last lap when it was wet but I didn't hit anything so that was OK.
Will you be back? Definitely, it's the start of a new thing for me.

Name: Nigel
Age: 19
From: Worthing
Car: Nissan Sunny Coupé
How many times have you been? This is the first time driving but I've been out before.
What inspired you to come? It's just good fun. I heard about it and saw laps on the internet.
Any scary moments? One at Foxhole; the car twitched and nearly sent me into the barrier.
Will you be back? I haven't decided yet, I nearly crashed.

Name: Alistair
Age: 25
From: London
Car: Mazda MX-5
How many times have you been? This will be my tenth trip, I'm a season ticket holder.
What inspired you to come? I think I watched a video at my uncle's house of '70s touring cars at the 'ring and then after a little bit of investigation I found you could drive on it and then we stopped by on a road trip and I fell in love with it.
Any scary moments? I had a lack of concentration once and forgot to heel and toe into a corner and went very sideways but didn't crash.
Will you be back? I'll be back in a few weeks.

Name: Ben
Age: 28
From: Southampton
Car: Audi S3
How many times have you been? This is my second time, alright last time but this time it's horrible, very greasy.
What inspired you to come? We came out two years ago just for a laugh, I've known about it since I was a kid.
Any scary moments? A couple. I went out a bit too enthusiastically.
Will you be back? Definitely. When it's dry.

Name: Will
Age: 32
From: Ipswich
Car: Audi RS2 - my weekend toy.
How many times have you been? This is my second time now.
What inspired you to come? My dad is an absolute Porsche fanatic so we came out for my 30th birthday a couple of years back and the bug has bitten.
Any scary moments? It's really slippy today, I've been sideways a few times.
Will you be back? Without a doubt. Before Christmas, I've got to use my ticket up.

Name: James
Age: 46
From: Guildford
Car: Renaultsport Megane R26
How many times have you been? I've been coming here about seven years and I've done possibly about 700 laps now.
What inspired you to come? My friends had been and said it was a place you have to do and back then it was quiet but then you have to learn how to do it.
Any scary moments? No, no worries.
Will you be back? I expect so.

Name: Guy
Age: 27
From: East London
Car: Ariel Atom
How many times have you been? This is my second trip, really enjoying it apart from the freezing rain in the face.
What inspired you to come? My friend is really into it and said I should come out so I thought why not. Much better the second time too once you know where it's going.
Any scary moments? One today but generally pretty good.
Will you be back? Definitely - hopefully in the dry.

Name: Nick
Age: 31
From: Cambridgeshire
Car: Porsche Cayman S
How many times have you been? First time, it's fantastic, certainly lived up to expectations.
What inspired you to come? I've got a few friends who've been out before and the main aim was to do under ten minutes.
Any scary moments? A couple of bits where it was jumping around a bit. It's good fun but the electronics take over and save me taking it into the Armco.
Will you be back? Definitely, yes.