Maybe going to Hockenheim..

[ECW Dan Selby]

Any tips from anyone who has been before? Best/closest/cheapest place to stay? Best area to spectate? Is there access to the old track?

Thanks in advance,

Selby

[Born Racer]

Hi Dan. It's worth giving this a try on the Trackside forum.

[Eddy V]

More than enough places to stay at Hockenheim, as the track is adjacent to the village. There is a trackside hotel as well.
As far as I know the old track has gone.

[bella]

1. yes, i've been to the dtm there 3 or 4 times now!
2. cheapest place to stay? i find weinheim (i think thats how you spell the place) about 20-30 mins away good for hotels - if not somewhere around there. heidelberg may be the closest at this point in time if you're booking for the f1! if it's not for a major event then you may find closer - just use hotel search websites.
3. best area to spectate? any grandstand is good (there's very little general admission space iirc), although the old stadium section is best for seeing the most of the cars. for the dtm it's also one of the cheapest.
4. access to the old track? most certainly. a lot of locals do bike rides through the forest and around the area. bear in mind there's nothing left but a space in the trees since they ripped up the majority of the track, and the section from past the start finish line (where the memorials are now located) and round to the top of the straight leading into the stadium section is scrub and grass and you'll do well to not get hacked legs if you're in shorts! it's a good place to visit though, it's eerie rather than monza which is atmospheric.

edit - there is old track left, the straight into the stadium section but it's where the vips park their cars so access may be limited at major events.