RSR Nurburg can make your Nurburgring driving dreams come true!

Next to the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, RSR Nurburg has been taking clients around the the ‘Ring in high-performance cars for numerous years. We chat to South African Ray Shepherdson about two of the latest additions to their fleet. 

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

Images: Supplied

If you are at all interested in modern performance cars, a visit to RSR Nurburg should be on your bucket list. The company has been taking clients around the iconic track for more than two decades in their fleet of cars, both as passengers, or even behind the steering wheel.

It is also one of the companies that places its orders early for certain performance cars, such as the new 992 GT3 RS, for example. It makes for interesting reading how such a car performs during its time at RSR Nurburg, because, after being run-in, nearly al the mileage is done flat-out on the track.

A couple of months ago the company took delivery of Porsche’s latest RS product as well as Hyundai’s i20 N - an exciting little car on the other side of the performance spectrum.

Living at the 'Ring

South African Ray Shepherdson has worked at RSR Nurburg since October 2012 with a short break recently before making a return.  

“We definitely have the largest fleet of cars offering these types of experiences at the ‘Ring and Spa Francorchamps. However, we also operate on race tracks located within a 3- to 4-hour drive from both of these locations. 

“On a weekend we’ll have up to 35 cars going out on a public session at the ‘Ring. It is called “touristenfahrten” sessions. We are the longest-standing rental company at the ‘Ring. Our founder Ron Simons’ background and reputation really helped in the beginning to get the company off to a good start and the company’s reputation has grown with him.”

"As a car enthusiast there is lots to enjoy in this job, but days can also be very long. 

“One of the most enjoyable factors of the working here is meeting people with a similar interest. Everyone who walks through our doors has something in common. Immediately you make friends from all over the world. If you enjoy cars and the track, the ‘Ring is really the place to be.

"At times it is hectic to find that balance between work and life because it is all about the cars and the track, day in and day out. It is full on in the mornings until late at night. Sometimes we only finish at around 21:00!”

“We also try to do other things when time allows, like filming our cars. So apart from being with customers in the cars, I also try to look presentable for our videos. So there are a number of different aspects to the job that I enjoy.”

Latest additions to the fleet

Highlights in RSR Nurburg's fleet include entry-level cars from the Hyundai i20 N up to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, while they also have a Ferrari 488 Pista and even a Ferrari 488 Challenge. Ray explains that although technically anyone can pay and drive them, they don’t just hand them out to any client. “The client who rents these cars have usually rented from us before on a number of occasions and we trust them behind the wheel and, in most cases, there is also an instructor in the car with them.

“I’ve recently spent a lot of time behind the wheel of the i20 N. It is really a great little car. It is fun to drive and ticks all the boxes which I find traditional hot hatches have migrated away from, which include being fairly lightweight, not too powerful and it has a limited-slip differential up front. Plus, it is also loaded with technology.”

It makes for fascinating reading if you look at the maintenance of these cars, and Ray was able to confirm the following details of the GT3 RS and i20 N. As explained, these cars spend nearly every single kilometre on track, being driven flat out. 

Hyundai i20 N

Current odo reading – 7 821 km

Sets of tyres - 1

Sets of brakes - 1

“With this car we changed from the OEM tyres and pads at 6 000 km. Both still had plenty of life left, but we decided on a new compound for the pads and we changed the tyres since we fitted aftermarket wheels at the same time.”

Porsche 992 GT3 RS

Current odo reading – 8 430 km

Sets of tyres - 1

Sets of brakes - 1

“First set of tyres and pads were needed on this car at 5 000 km.”

The brake fluid is usually also upgraded as the cars will only see track work. 

“The term "race car for the road" gets thrown around so often and easily, but the 992 GT3 RS really is a race car for the road. There is no storage space in the front anymore and in the rear there is the roll cage. It is quite wide though, so rather cumbersome on the country roads around this area. Once out on the track it is an all-out weapon.”

Being entrenched in all things to do with the ‘Ring, Ray explains that some colleagues and friends are on WhatsApp groups where information is shared about possible lap records that might be set on the day or if a certain manufacturer arrived to test a specific car. “Sometimes we catch a bit of a rumour before one of these exciting excursions happen, but never officially.”

For prices, cars and packages, visit RSR Nurburg’s website.