ndk4

so is there like a seasonal pass deal at the ring or you pay as you go? and what are the requirements? Can you just show up with your car in good condition and a helmet and just go?

false_friend

Hi,

you can first of all expect to have fun on the German Autobahn. This is the only place in the world (except racetracks, of course) where you can drive as fast as you want.

But there are some cultural differences, which might be exciting to discover. Here is a small selection: Germans can't pronounce the th-sound. They are very exact, love facts, and seem distant in the beginning. If you need Aspirin, you have to go to a pharmacy. Our language is pretty hard to learn. German beer is very good ...

deibit

You can pay "as you go" or you can have a seasonal pass (around 900€).

Basically what you need to get once you get there is the so called "Ring Card" it's like a pre-paid card where you can charge the laps and some free money (to pay for food or drinks).

You don't need a helmet to drive in the Ring. Legally it's like an "Autobahn".. you "only" need a street-legal car.

phils2k

you will love ramstien, o was based in the uk forces in germany for 3 years and loved it, ramstien is lovely place would love to go back on day

have fun you lucky bugger

34witt

I will be on my way to Germany in early July. I would love to see a meet up of S2000's from all over Europe. Is there any regulars on the Ring? I want to drive it a few times but that track is full of surprises from what I hear.

tacocat

I was just in Germany this summer. My brother in law just went to Ramstein. Here are a couple things I learned.

1. Most Germans speak a good deal of English. Don't get me wrong, most are not fluent, but they most definitely speak more English than you do German--at this point. I was able to communicate very easily. Do try to at least say hi, goodbye and thank you. The people I talked to at least appreciated that fact that you tried to speak their language.

2. The autobahn is an example of how every road in every part of the world should be. You stay right unless to pass. Hanging out in the left lane is bad unless you are in a stau (might have spelled that wrong--but its a traffic jam). Also, there is no one autobahn, there are many. It is the German interstate system.

3. The food is very good! Drinks are a bit different. Beer is cheaper than water in some places. Sodas come in .5L bottles and are not free refills. Diet coke is Cola light. The Coke tastes a little different--I think the recipe is a bit different and/or real sugar is used. If you ask for water, you will get sparkling mineral water, which you pay for. You have to ask for regular water. Some places have it, others do not.

4. You will not see many police or much crime. I saw two police the whole week I was there.

5. Germany is a big country. Ramstein is in the far west--pretty close to Luxembourg and France. It took us 6 hours to get to Bavaria, which is the southern part of the country. This was at 100mph all the way through.



That is a lot to read, and please if any one in this forum sees something that is erroneous, please let me know.

Have fun in Ramstein!

deibit

[QUOTE=tacocat,May 5 2010, 03:36 PM] 3.

tacocat

Nah, we didn't do regular food. We were with people who knew where to go--so we had very good schnitzel.

ndk4

Thanks for your input tacocat!

Do you guys use radar detector in Europe? I mean the technology's got to be the same.. I have V1 and was wondering if I should bring it with me.?

Mr. Deuce K

I'm in Baumholder Germany, a little hole in the wall Army post about 40 min away from Ramstein. You've probly got the best post in Germany in my humble opinion, you usaf guys get all the good spots. Anyways, the Autobahn is great, you just have to watch for the randomly changing speed limits, it will go from no speed limit, where you be flying at 250kmh to out of nowhere an 130kmh into a 100kmh, there are also speed and stop light cams that will flash you for being just one or two kmh over, knock on wood i've yet to get a ticket in my 8 months here.