Germany and the Nurburgring
05-02-2012, 07:36 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Germany and the Nurburgring
Figured I would share with the group. I posted a lot on Facebook while I was in Germany to share with my family, but I have not posted anything here. Still working through my pictures.
Back story. I met 34witt in the CR forums. We both own ABP CR's. We started talking about one year ago when I learned he was stationed in Germany with the Air Force. I knew that through my job I had a chance that I could go to Germany for work some day. We kept in touch. About 4 weeks ago I was asked to go to Germany. I quickly started emailing 34witt (Nathan) and we put some plans together. He was extremely awesome and let me stay at his house, eat his food, and use his car. I paid for some things here and there, and the laps. When he gets back state side he is attending one of my group drives so I am going to be covering the majority of the associated costs in attempt to some how repay him for his amazing hospitality. Through careful planning I was able to use per diem and costs associated from work pay for just about the whole trip. I would estimate it would take around $2,000 to do this on your own. I would certainly budget more though just so you have more.
The car is originally from Japan, and was imported to England. He bought the car in England and brought it to Germany. The Navigation does not work outside of Japan, so the controller module was removed.
First up, my Ring experience and video of my first driving lap.
So I spent a week in Germany, and made 3 trips to the Ring. First time we made it on Thursday night, in the wet. I ran straight up to the office and bought 4 laps for 95 euro's, or $125 dollars. We made it with about 1 minute to spare and were the last car allowed on track for the day. Being run by Germans, means, 7:15 on the dot the track closes!!! So I finally made it. We were in a Miata that had Kumho XS tires, TR Motorsports wheels, Carbotech XP8's all around, ATE Fluid, and some H&R springs. Track was cold and wet. Nathan, my driver and friend that I was staying with has over 100 laps around the ring, so I trusted him and felt comfortable. We ended up sliding sideways through the first 10 corners, and slide wide and almost into the gravel. My heart was racing. It was intense. I could feel the car struggling to find grip! After hundreds of laps in video games around the ring, they dont even come close to what its really like. I tried to justify and say that I knew to some degree where the track went, but it was almost a blur. Video games are nice, and helped only to allow me to recall where the track went left and right. Elevations, track surrounds, and corner speed did not correlate from the games to real life. So we finished a lap. I was honestly scared and nervous to go back. Place is scary as hell. No run off room. Tons of elevation and bumps. It is like nothing I have ever seen or done before! My brain was so over loaded it took a few hours to come down from the high and recall the lap, and really process what had just happened. I was excited, but nervous to go back and try it myself.
Saturday was a beautiful and sunny day. We changed engine oil, belt tensioner, new front calipers, new rotors in the front (old rotors were cracked) bled the lines, swapped in race pads, and put on the good rubber. it was time to take the 1999 JDM spec S2000 to the Ring. Car had AP2 17" wheels. 215/245 Kumho XS tires, carbotech Xp10/XP8, ATE Super Blue fluid, and swift spec r springs. Saturday was a VLN day, only a few each year so I was LUCKY to be there for it. VLN day means, you use the GP (Formula 1 track) and the full north loop. There was a 4hour enduro race during the day so when we showed up at 4:30 the place was packed. easily a hundred cars all waiting to get on the track. My nerves were high. Saw flat bed after flat bed of destroyed race cars coming off the north loop from the race. Cars utterly destroyed from contact with the walls, tires, and other cars. The parking lot was like a cars and coffee here in the states. The most exotic and expensive cars in the world all here at the ring, to be beaten and driven. I think every model of Porsche, Audi, BMW were present. A couple Mclaren MP4-12C's, bunch of Ferrari's, you name it, it was there.
Track opened about 30 min late. The plan was for me to get at least 1 lap in right off the bat to ensure I got to drive. If there are accidents or any fluid dropped, the track day is over. It is very common to drive all the way to the ring, get in line to go out, then an accident happens and the track is closed and your done. Knowing this, I planned accordingly and gave myself 3 days to attempt a lap. So the track opened, and I am in line. Surrounded by amazing cars. The smell of fuel, the squeal of cold track pads, engines revving as clutches are slipped. It was surreal. I was excited but nervous.
My time was up. Nathan held up my lap card, the toll gate opened, and we were off. Below is the video of my first lap. Notice pretty early on I get passed by a Mclaren MP4-12C, then a BMW M3, then a Porsche GT3 RS. The only way I can describe this place is just PURE MADNESS!!! The only real rule, which is a guideline is stay to the right and let cars pass. Throw on your right turn signal to let people know you see them and are moving for them. I did a few times, but typically didnt have time!
You will notice im driving RHD for only the second time in my life. Not to mention as we just found out, there is some problems with the clutch and the car did not want to go into 3rd gear, so I struggled with that. I also am very used to driving a F22C, so I was going by sound and feel and kept reaching for the shifter, then realizing I still had almost 1,000rpm to go
I also had a tough time knowing where the left side of the car was so I dropped a wheel into the dirt, and clipped some curbs un-intentionally.
Over all my first lap was fairly quick, I hung in there. I took it easy and was conservative. Tried to learn the lines and just feel things out. We didnt record the second lap, which was much quicker and im pissed about. Here it is.
I pushed a bit on the second lap and had more fun. Overall much quicker lap. Freaked myself out a few times. The track is really fast. I think I used 2nd gear 8 times, but could have stayed in 3rd for half of them. Scariest section was Fuchsrohre. From road and track:
Fuchsröhre to Adenauer-Forst
Exiting Aremberg is a steep downhill plunging to the famous Fuchsröhre, the foxhole. Brakes and stability get a workout on the undulating pavement as the car cuts speed by 100 mph before entering a relatively slow patience-requiring Adenauer-Forst section that's the second-slowest part of the track.
I did about 120+ thru the Foxhole. Car compress like crazy. I got pushed into the seat, and down into the door. Only to get shot back up and then standing on the brakes. HUGE headrush, i was light headed and slightly discombobulated. It was like a roller coaster, but faster.
I think the most fun corner was def the carousel
Second gear, you threw the car in and the banking catches the car. Rough as hell and punishing. Car is just getting beaten through there. Go back and watch the shifter in my video. You can push it and the faster you go, the more fun it is, but to a point. Go too fast, and the carousel spits you out. I think to quote myself from the video....F****** A man!
Got 2 laps in, was absolutely incredible. Best car experience of my life. Decided to let the cars cool, give my brain a chance to calm down, then we would go back out. Decided to jump into the white s2000 that was highly modded, but the track closed because of fluid down, so that ended the day. Luckily we got 2 laps in!
Sunday we woke up at the crack of dawn. Packed my suitcases, and headed to the ring for a few more laps before I had to go to the airport. I road with Nathan for 2 passenger laps. Should have those videos to share eventually. I have to say, he is an excellent driver. I have never seen or been with a S2000 driver that was as skilled as he is. Incredible driving. He just knew the car and the track, and just PUSHED IT. Four wheel slides, tires howling, hounding cars in front! Just insane. We flew. His fastest lap is only about 8 seconds off the lap officially set by Honda back in the development days. So for being self taught, he is incredibly fast! Made me have a whole knew appreciation for the S2000. I have pushed my cars on the track and in the canyons, but its what I would call a conservative fast. So to feel what the car can really do at 10/10's was awesome. Completely changed my mind about the car and modding it. I think im less interested in modding it, and just spending the money to get it on track and learn to drive it at 10/10's.
Enough rambling for now. Probably my longest post ever. I will start posting some pictures of the German countryside, and just put links to flickr for those interested in seeing everything.
/
Back story. I met 34witt in the CR forums. We both own ABP CR's. We started talking about one year ago when I learned he was stationed in Germany with the Air Force. I knew that through my job I had a chance that I could go to Germany for work some day. We kept in touch. About 4 weeks ago I was asked to go to Germany. I quickly started emailing 34witt (Nathan) and we put some plans together. He was extremely awesome and let me stay at his house, eat his food, and use his car. I paid for some things here and there, and the laps. When he gets back state side he is attending one of my group drives so I am going to be covering the majority of the associated costs in attempt to some how repay him for his amazing hospitality. Through careful planning I was able to use per diem and costs associated from work pay for just about the whole trip. I would estimate it would take around $2,000 to do this on your own. I would certainly budget more though just so you have more.
The car is originally from Japan, and was imported to England. He bought the car in England and brought it to Germany. The Navigation does not work outside of Japan, so the controller module was removed.
First up, my Ring experience and video of my first driving lap.
So I spent a week in Germany, and made 3 trips to the Ring. First time we made it on Thursday night, in the wet. I ran straight up to the office and bought 4 laps for 95 euro's, or $125 dollars. We made it with about 1 minute to spare and were the last car allowed on track for the day. Being run by Germans, means, 7:15 on the dot the track closes!!! So I finally made it. We were in a Miata that had Kumho XS tires, TR Motorsports wheels, Carbotech XP8's all around, ATE Fluid, and some H&R springs. Track was cold and wet. Nathan, my driver and friend that I was staying with has over 100 laps around the ring, so I trusted him and felt comfortable. We ended up sliding sideways through the first 10 corners, and slide wide and almost into the gravel. My heart was racing. It was intense. I could feel the car struggling to find grip! After hundreds of laps in video games around the ring, they dont even come close to what its really like. I tried to justify and say that I knew to some degree where the track went, but it was almost a blur. Video games are nice, and helped only to allow me to recall where the track went left and right. Elevations, track surrounds, and corner speed did not correlate from the games to real life. So we finished a lap. I was honestly scared and nervous to go back. Place is scary as hell. No run off room. Tons of elevation and bumps. It is like nothing I have ever seen or done before! My brain was so over loaded it took a few hours to come down from the high and recall the lap, and really process what had just happened. I was excited, but nervous to go back and try it myself.
Saturday was a beautiful and sunny day. We changed engine oil, belt tensioner, new front calipers, new rotors in the front (old rotors were cracked) bled the lines, swapped in race pads, and put on the good rubber. it was time to take the 1999 JDM spec S2000 to the Ring. Car had AP2 17" wheels. 215/245 Kumho XS tires, carbotech Xp10/XP8, ATE Super Blue fluid, and swift spec r springs. Saturday was a VLN day, only a few each year so I was LUCKY to be there for it. VLN day means, you use the GP (Formula 1 track) and the full north loop. There was a 4hour enduro race during the day so when we showed up at 4:30 the place was packed. easily a hundred cars all waiting to get on the track. My nerves were high. Saw flat bed after flat bed of destroyed race cars coming off the north loop from the race. Cars utterly destroyed from contact with the walls, tires, and other cars. The parking lot was like a cars and coffee here in the states. The most exotic and expensive cars in the world all here at the ring, to be beaten and driven. I think every model of Porsche, Audi, BMW were present. A couple Mclaren MP4-12C's, bunch of Ferrari's, you name it, it was there.
Track opened about 30 min late. The plan was for me to get at least 1 lap in right off the bat to ensure I got to drive. If there are accidents or any fluid dropped, the track day is over. It is very common to drive all the way to the ring, get in line to go out, then an accident happens and the track is closed and your done. Knowing this, I planned accordingly and gave myself 3 days to attempt a lap. So the track opened, and I am in line. Surrounded by amazing cars. The smell of fuel, the squeal of cold track pads, engines revving as clutches are slipped. It was surreal. I was excited but nervous.
My time was up. Nathan held up my lap card, the toll gate opened, and we were off. Below is the video of my first lap. Notice pretty early on I get passed by a Mclaren MP4-12C, then a BMW M3, then a Porsche GT3 RS. The only way I can describe this place is just PURE MADNESS!!! The only real rule, which is a guideline is stay to the right and let cars pass. Throw on your right turn signal to let people know you see them and are moving for them. I did a few times, but typically didnt have time!
You will notice im driving RHD for only the second time in my life. Not to mention as we just found out, there is some problems with the clutch and the car did not want to go into 3rd gear, so I struggled with that. I also am very used to driving a F22C, so I was going by sound and feel and kept reaching for the shifter, then realizing I still had almost 1,000rpm to go
I also had a tough time knowing where the left side of the car was so I dropped a wheel into the dirt, and clipped some curbs un-intentionally.Over all my first lap was fairly quick, I hung in there. I took it easy and was conservative. Tried to learn the lines and just feel things out. We didnt record the second lap, which was much quicker and im pissed about. Here it is.
I pushed a bit on the second lap and had more fun. Overall much quicker lap. Freaked myself out a few times. The track is really fast. I think I used 2nd gear 8 times, but could have stayed in 3rd for half of them. Scariest section was Fuchsrohre. From road and track:
Fuchsröhre to Adenauer-Forst
Exiting Aremberg is a steep downhill plunging to the famous Fuchsröhre, the foxhole. Brakes and stability get a workout on the undulating pavement as the car cuts speed by 100 mph before entering a relatively slow patience-requiring Adenauer-Forst section that's the second-slowest part of the track.
I did about 120+ thru the Foxhole. Car compress like crazy. I got pushed into the seat, and down into the door. Only to get shot back up and then standing on the brakes. HUGE headrush, i was light headed and slightly discombobulated. It was like a roller coaster, but faster.
I think the most fun corner was def the carousel
Second gear, you threw the car in and the banking catches the car. Rough as hell and punishing. Car is just getting beaten through there. Go back and watch the shifter in my video. You can push it and the faster you go, the more fun it is, but to a point. Go too fast, and the carousel spits you out. I think to quote myself from the video....F****** A man!
Got 2 laps in, was absolutely incredible. Best car experience of my life. Decided to let the cars cool, give my brain a chance to calm down, then we would go back out. Decided to jump into the white s2000 that was highly modded, but the track closed because of fluid down, so that ended the day. Luckily we got 2 laps in!
Sunday we woke up at the crack of dawn. Packed my suitcases, and headed to the ring for a few more laps before I had to go to the airport. I road with Nathan for 2 passenger laps. Should have those videos to share eventually. I have to say, he is an excellent driver. I have never seen or been with a S2000 driver that was as skilled as he is. Incredible driving. He just knew the car and the track, and just PUSHED IT. Four wheel slides, tires howling, hounding cars in front! Just insane. We flew. His fastest lap is only about 8 seconds off the lap officially set by Honda back in the development days. So for being self taught, he is incredibly fast! Made me have a whole knew appreciation for the S2000. I have pushed my cars on the track and in the canyons, but its what I would call a conservative fast. So to feel what the car can really do at 10/10's was awesome. Completely changed my mind about the car and modding it. I think im less interested in modding it, and just spending the money to get it on track and learn to drive it at 10/10's.
Enough rambling for now. Probably my longest post ever. I will start posting some pictures of the German countryside, and just put links to flickr for those interested in seeing everything.
05-02-2012, 07:38 AM
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05-02-2012, 07:38 AM
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Just found myself! Gonna have to scour the internet for more.
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More to come tomorrow.
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Just found myself! Gonna have to scour the internet for more.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41071623@N03/6990781274/http://www.flickr.com/photos/41071623@N03/6990781274/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/41071623@N03/, on Flickr
More to come tomorrow.
(triple A statement)
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05-02-2012, 01:18 PM
#10
I envy you 