The hallowed HockenheimRing, 22km southwest of Heidelberg just east of the A6, has three circuits and stands accommodating up to 120,000 fans. It hosts some of Germany’s most famous car races, including the Formula One German Grand Prix (in even-numbered years), with the opportunity to test out the track yourself.
Motorsports fans can get a look behind the scenes on an Insider Tour , in English and German. Tickets are sold at the Motor Sport Museum .
The museum has a fantastic collection of historic motorcycles, some a century old, and a fine ensemble of historic race cars. Upstairs, check out the reconstruction of the world’s first motorcycle, built of wood by Maybach and Daimler in 1885.
If roaring along on a speed-limitless Autobahn doesn’t get the adrenalin pumping any more, you can take to the Hockenheim track when it isn’t being used for a race:
Action Track Days (per person €399) Three laps on the Grand Prix course with a professional driver in a superfast racing car, eg a Porsche GT3, a Mercedes SLK 350 or an Audi R8 V10.
Drifttaxi (€229) Lets you experience high-speed skids with a professional driver.
Race’n’roll (€399) Drive a superfast race car yourself.
Touristenfahrten (per 15 minutes €15) Drive your own car around the track.
