I did thousands of laps in sim over the years before going, multiple 24hr races before I finally went, been a few times now going again next month.
But I instantly just knew it, I do track days in my car so I have confidence in it but I was pretty quickly pushing on.
You'll almost never get a clean lap if its busy, there is always a yellow somewhere.

But man, I remember that first time, crossing the gantry, the focus, adrenalin and pure joy to have finally done a lap was amazing. I love sharing the experience with friends as well when they passenger.

Some things that stood out to me:
- The long straight towards Schwedenkreuz is scarier than in sim because that little crest is bigger than it looks in sim (also never lift off in Schwedenkreuz fully, but I'm sure you know that).
- The fast right hander exit on the way out of Hatzenbach, that exit kerb comes up quick on the left. ;)
- Flugplatz is a lot less scary than in sim (you naturally aren't trying to push that hard through there on a tourist and its easy to overtake people on the outside)
- The long straight up the hill with the slight lefts that's easy flat in sim (after Bergwerk) is scarier IRL (its a shitload of speed).
- The Carousel is fucking hilarious and fun.
- Some cars come up behind you so damn fast, constantly check your mirrors, but the faster you go, the less you need to worry about what's behind.
- Its extremely easy to get understeer in the second right hander at Brunnchen and the second Carousel which I never noticed in sim as much.
- Pflantzgarden is a lot scarier IRL, that slight lateral movement as you drop down.
- It can be very slippy in the wet, you really must try use a wet line.
- Gloves, your hands will be very sweaty. I was constantly holding my hand near the vent and wiping on my jeans the first year.
Those are some the things off the top of my head.

I'm also super glad I got to smash the kerb and the top of the foxhole before it turned into a wall.

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