Our First Time in a Nürburgring Nordschleife Track Taxi: Passenger Story

What was your first impression when you arrived – the atmosphere of the Green Hell track, the Genesis booth, the crew, the setup? How did it feel walking in?

M: I was happy to enter the booth because of the weather. [laughs] It was raining and windy, which made the warm welcome inside even more appreciated. The team was very nice and introduced us to how the experience will work in terms of safety and all the instructions. So, it was a very relaxed atmosphere… 

A: Yeah, and down to earth. People really made you instantly feel welcome and comfortable before the ride.

Was the check-in process going smoothly?   

A: Absolutely! 

M: Check-in was bliss. We even got Genesis water and jellies in the shape of the Genesis cars. That was very nice of Genesis Track Taxi.

Before the ride, what were each of you expecting? And can you walk us through your physical sensations as the lap started?  

A: I was expecting the best, especially regarding the bends. High speed and lots of adrenaline. In fact, I was a bit scared before I got into the car. As I was sitting there, I took a few breaths to calm myself down. But as we started to drive faster and reached the first corner, I felt safe like nothing could happen. Soon I got a feeling of “That's kind of fun. Let's go. Let's go faster.”  It turned out to be even more fun than I thought.

M: I kind of knew what to expect, but the G forces in the car are surprising when you just know the track digitally. It was impressive how the Genesis G70 can handle these forces and made the ride truly amazing.  The first braking zone was especially fun. Quite impressive how well the driver knows the track.

Which part of the Nordschleife track impressed you the most and why?

A: Well, I like Pflanzgarten. The quick elevation change in this section turns your stomach a little bit upside down and brings back childhood memories. It's a very fun part. 

M: I like Fuchsröhre the most. It’s this long downhill section, followed by compression, and then you climb uphill again. You feel the forces pulling you in every direction.

The Nordschleife is known for its blind corners, sudden drops, and high-speed sections - was there a moment where you really felt that, and how did the car handle it? What impressed you most about the Genesis G70’s performance on the track? 

M: Especially the section Akvile just mentioned after Pflanzgarten, where there is a little drop and then a high speed left right combination. It was quite impressive how the car’s suspension managed to keep contact with the new tarmac in this section. I wasn't expecting it from a everyday car.

A: Yeah, and since the track was wet and slippery today, the car handled the corners pretty good.

M: Awesome. I was impressed overall with that part.

There were some pretty intense sections on the track. How did the car feel when going through the slopes and tight corners of the track? And how did the driver’s skill and professionalism influence your feeling of safety? 

A: It was a bit drifty on some points, but quite stable all the way. Especially given the wet track conditions. The driver did a really good job catching the corners, which made the ride even more fun.

M: I also felt that the driver was explaining the track very well and the technique behind it, the logic of which line to take under different weather conditions. You could feel his experience and the amount of time he spent on this track. I felt totally safe.

Great, have you ever driven yourself on the Nürburgring Nordschleife? If so, how was the taxi ride compared to self-driving? If not, how do you feel about being driven by a professional on one of the most challenging tracks in the world?

A: Oh, yes. We had that kind of experience, but only in sim racing. [laughs] Well, I did it only with VR glasses, and it was already fun. But it's an entirely different experience when you are a copilot of a pro. They know how to handle the track and are way faster than you while saving every corner. You instantly know when someone knows how to do the job!

M: I did hundreds of laps on the simulator, so I know the track by heart, but it's very different in real life with a professional driver. And with G forces. I would love to do it with my own car one day. But I'm a bit afraid of the chances of crashing and repair costs. So, I'm not sure if I will torture my car as much or just stay with the purchasable experiences. [laughs] 

After the ride, what was your overall feeling – and did it make you want to do it again? 

M: Going for another lap! [laughs]

A: Yeah. You want to go again and again.

M: I wouldn't mind being a taxi driver here. Not in Frankfurt, but here. [laughs]

Okay, now that it’s over, what emotion or sensation is still with you?

A: I was happy that I did it, because I was a bit scared. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to come at first, but I want to do it again for sure.

M: I'm also happy you did this, Akvile.

Would you recommend this to others - and if so, how would you describe it in one sentence?

M: I just had a great experience, especially based on the value for money that you get. And I purchased two vouchers for a friend's birthday, so I can recommend it. [laughs]

A: Fast and fun for a good price, I think. And as Max just said, it's always a good idea for a present.

M: And you can experience it with friends because compared to most race taxis, you can be up to three passengers in the car.

A: Also, you can combine it with a visit to the beautiful surrounding area.

M: Go hiking, have a nice meal. It's perfect.

What advice would you give to someone who is about to take their first Nürburgring Track Taxi ride? 

A: Don't eat three hours before. [laughs]

M: One and a half hours. I would say. [laughs]