The thing with the 24h race at the Nürburgring is that even if one is always invited by manufacturers to the ring to comfortably spend the night in hotels or bungalows, the real party is going on outside. Along the Nordschleife, where fans have placed their tents, campers and crazy personal constructions between the crash barrier and the forest. So how can this atmosphere be inhaled in the best possible way, while at the same time enjoying the luxury of a fine hotel?
Change of scenery: we are standing at a crossroads in Munich along Heinrich-Wieland-Straße, not far from Innsbrucker Ring. It's Friday, the day before the 24h race. The trunk is filled to the limit, the tank is full and programmed the target Nürburgring in the Navi, while the massage function in the seats already endeavors to vorzukneten the back as well as possible for the upcoming 600 kilometers.
The traffic light turns green, the right foot is on the gas, the left remains a little on the brake. 571 hp are enough to start the descent to the motorsport event of the year with a little smoke. Everything is alright. If it weren't for this delicate hood ornament on what feels like an endless hood: sometimes called Emily, sometimes called Eleanor. It shows us the way to the ring in our, the very finest luxury living room. Admittedly, it also seems a little surreal to us that we are now actually making our way to the Nürburgring in a Rolls-Royce Ghost II.
But if you take a closer look, there is hardly anything better for a few nights at the ring. Anyone can camp in a car anyway, tents are wet and cold, normal cars are uncomfortable. But here, in this British luxury living room, the big guns are brought out: the finest leather, a top-class sound system and a carpet that makes many a luxury villa look old. The term “doormat” would be more of a bitter insult here, as it usually doesn’t mean fluffy lambskin rugs. It would actually be a nice thing if all the seats could be brought completely onto a flat surface and the entire area would be covered with lambskin carpets - a better bed would be hard to imagine. That's what the fine leather armchairs have to do for the night.
But how do you get to the campsite in style with the 366 kilo Rolls? Clearly: via the access routes, which usually also require some ground clearance. No problem, a real rollator is flexible, pumps the suspension a few centimeters if desired and thus springs through the terrain so comfortably that even the Früh Kölsch can stays in place on the rear table.
In general, things look pretty good with amenities, especially in the rear. Two separately adjustable armchairs, separated by an armrest that resembles the control bridge of the Enterprise and has the entire infotainment under control. Practical, because the biggest problem - when you are at the 24h race live on the track - is that you usually don't get to know as much about the race, except for a few racing cars flying by. In the Ghost you just lie down relaxed, watch the television broadcast of the race relaxed via DVB-T via the rear screens, while you get the full load of racing atmosphere and sound from the outside and savor your Kölsch.
Well, who likes it discreet and prefers to travel rather incognito, is of course completely wrong here. With a Rolls-Royce on the campsites in the dovetail you would still be sure if next door on the track the big drama would break loose.
But despite all the feel-good atmosphere, there is of course a bit of something to complain about: on the one hand, an idling V12 is certainly not the cheapest form of parking heater. On the other hand, it is not very comfortable to sleep. Armchairs are not simply deckchairs and a back seat, which should rather separate occupants, is not the most comfortable lying surface. But be it: a Kölsch can hardly taste better at the 24 hours than in the lounge chairs of a Rolls-Royce somewhere in the Hatzenbach. A currywurst is hardly tastier than from the V12 warming compartment and anyway: much better than in this British living room, it's hard to stand the 24 hours. Sure, you could go to Lindner or Dorint, but both lack luxury. And they are not in the dovetail. In the middle of burning barrels, drinking fans, booming party music and screaming engines.
In this respect: Have fun all those who can now spend the nights in their cold, wet tents again and again - we meanwhile enjoy thinking about the hours in the British living room.
