Timmy
New member
Hi Everyone
Back safe and soundish.
Left the Isle of Man with my mate Rich in his M5 for Liverpool on the ferry last saturday, takes about 2.5 hours so we were on the M62 by about 10.00am. Usual snarl up around the M40 turn off but got to Ashford around 17.00 after a couple of stops. Becoming very apparent that the seats were built for speed not comfort and in 30 degrees the lack of aircon was noticeable even with both windows down. Arrived at the Travel Lodge in Ashford, unpacked the bags, repacked the bags and booked into the Travel Inn were we were actually staying (D' oh!). Few beers and an Indian and to bed.
Sunday left Ashford for Dover and got the 10.00 to Calais. Drove the whole of the E40 via Brussels, Liege and Aachen before coming off on the N258 that takes you straight to the ' Ring. Massive hold up just before the Brussels Ring Road were a Primera and a Micra had had a fight so the road was totally blocked for an hour. Sat stationary in 35+ degrees. Nice. Got to the ' Ring about 19.00. Few beers, the odd Jagermeister and a pizza in the Pistenklaus Restaurant.
Monday, first day on the track. Breakfast for 6.45, lined up in our Group 5 for 7.30 and we started on the Bergwerk section first running up the hill to Kesselchen I. Our instructor Andy Boviensen works for Alpina and had a prototype Z4 3.2 with about 320BHP. He was in a 400BHP M3 for the recent 24hr race, and was showing us these lines which involved alot of early turn ins, riding kerbs on the apecies (!) and exits. He actually raced in the Carrera Cup series back in 92 apparently. Bit disconcertingly said it was the hardest car he had ever driven! Did various sections throughout the day including the Karrousel and my favourite Hohe Act all the way to Pflantzgarten. We then had about an hour and a half free lapping on the Grand Prix circuit. Must admit that the car felt happier in this smoother environment (or was it me with lack of armco and big runoff areas?) Had a huge slide around the Ford curve - downhill righthander, lifted off going into it and thought here we go but managed to hold it. Yahoo! Bridgestone S02s and brakes were fantastic throughout, really impressed. Lost count but I probably did 12 laps of the track before retiring to the hotel at about 7.45. Long day. Few beers and a Mexican in the Fuschsrohe Restaurant (can you see a pattern emerging here?) This restaurant is run by Sabine (and her husband) who pilots one of the Ring Taxis. She found the time to have a good chat about most things which was nice.
Tuesday, again breakfast at 6.45 on the go for 8.00. First job of the day was to drive a 530d Touring deliberately into an armco barrier. Hilarious the noise it makes! It was completely wrecked after our group so they got hold of a 740iL for the later groups which must have been fun. We then did some high speed braking exercises, an autotest (where I missed a gear, got annoyed, slipped the clutch and cooked it so I sat that one out) and a rear steer VW Golf which was like driving and old RS1600 on ice. Back to the serious business and we did the remainder of the sections from Hatzenbach through to Ex-Hulme in the afternoon. Finished up at about 8.00. Few beers and a fillet steak in the Pistenklaus.
Wednesday, breakfast at 6.45 and time for free lapping. As we had now done all 13 miles (broken down into 10 sections of about a mile and a half) we could hook it all together. Myself and Rich took turns to sit in with each other and comment which we found useful. Did a flying lap and got to see 150mph on the clock which is the fastest I have even been. Thought the road a bit bumpy just before the bridge so backed off but I was well chuffed. Just another 14mph to find next year! Some idiot crashed so we lost some time which was disappointing as it took nearly an hour to clean up. They were ok by the way. And so to the important element of the course.......
At 2.45 we lined up on the straight in number order ready for our assessment lap. Each of the instructors from the groups were positioned around the course at the significant corners and you have just 1 lap to impress them. You were marked out of 10
1 - World Champion
2 - Distinguished
3 - Very Good
4 - Good
5 - Line Met
6 - Satisfactory
7 - Line Hardly Met
8 - Rubbish
9 - Bent Metal about to Happen
10 - Chaos (according to my web translator anyway)
There were 21 instructors so theoretically the best score would be 21 points. We finished our laps, I was mildly pleased, watched some of the others through at Brunchen then went for a few beers.
The presentation was at the Dorint Hotel and there were prizes for each group and overall as well. The groups are split into 2. Routiniers are for people who have been 5 times or more (Advanced) and the rest including me (Novices). I was pleased to come second in my group with 64 points, and was 16th Novice out of about 150. Had a handful of 2s, mainly 3s and 4s and a couple of 5s. James in my group beat me with 60 points but it transpired he had already done 60 laps that year in his 993RS and an M3 Evo Sport! Dark horse or what? The winner overall got 33 points with mostly 1s and 2s with a couple of 3s driving a 996 Turbo. Had a few more beers and went to bed.
Left the ' Ring thursday at about 10.30 and got to Calais early for the 16.00 sailing. Back to the Travel INN for thursday night, had a few beers and a chinese, up to Liverpool for the 18.30 sailing on friday, back in my own bed for 10.30 friday night. Fantastic.
In Summary then.........
7 days away
Total miles covered = 1700
Liverpool - Ring = 600
Ring - Liverpool = 600
Therefore Nordschliefe/Grand Prix circuit approx 450 miles allowing for little trips for petrol etc
Total cost inc ferries x 2, hotels x 3, course, beers, food and petrol £1700.00. Pound a mile - bargain.
Overall consumption - c 26 mpg, 1 litre of oil and about 30 pints of beer, 1 pizza, 1 Indian, 1 Chinese, 1 fillet steak and a Burger King
Good things..........
I got a trophy
Grunt and grip. Such a difference to my M3
Bridgestone SO2s. Held up remarkable well
Brakes. Even better, couldnt fault them, although I think I have competition pads in.
The weather
A number of 993s and 996s, some of them significantly modified
The Americans were swarming over my car in the car park. I' ve never had someone take a photograph of my car before, so proud! Couple of them had RS Americas and were comparing so we had a good chat about all things RS.
Mine was the only 964RS there
Peter, a BMW test driver, was in our group with a prototype X5 (bigger engine I think) My perceptions of what an SUV can do round the Ring are well and truly thrown out the window, what a hoot!
Did I tell you I got a trophy?
Bad things.........
No aircon. We saw 44.5 degrees on Rich' s on-board computer
No power steering. (learning the course this way involves a lot of three (read 5) point turns. You cant drive on the grass as its full of carbon fibre shards, bits of bike and bottle tops)
It' s a long way with a sore bum
Belgium roads
Front end went light a few times over undulations. Anyone have a tweek?
Popped a topmount. (Thanks very much to Robin and Mark at 9m for sorting this out on the way home completely unannounced) Robin hadnt seen it happen before but reseated it and it seems to be ok, even after a 120mph blast over Mountain on the TT course on saturday [
] If anyone out there has converted to rubber mounts for comfort and has some uniballs going free or cheap ....... []
Rack is also making a clicking noise - probably needs a re-con
Passenger door regulator now rattles (thanks Belgium Government)
Sacrilege I know, but my M3 handles better, probably cos it' s better balanced. Early on it felt like the car was driving me, but it did get better as I changed my style. Way quicker per lap however as the power just keeps on coming, especially up the hills to Klosteral and Hohe Act.
I have to wait till next year before going back.
I didnt come first in the group, booo!
There was an official photographer there so when he has uploaded his pictures I' ll get some posted
Guttentag!
Timmy
Back safe and soundish.
Left the Isle of Man with my mate Rich in his M5 for Liverpool on the ferry last saturday, takes about 2.5 hours so we were on the M62 by about 10.00am. Usual snarl up around the M40 turn off but got to Ashford around 17.00 after a couple of stops. Becoming very apparent that the seats were built for speed not comfort and in 30 degrees the lack of aircon was noticeable even with both windows down. Arrived at the Travel Lodge in Ashford, unpacked the bags, repacked the bags and booked into the Travel Inn were we were actually staying (D' oh!). Few beers and an Indian and to bed.
Sunday left Ashford for Dover and got the 10.00 to Calais. Drove the whole of the E40 via Brussels, Liege and Aachen before coming off on the N258 that takes you straight to the ' Ring. Massive hold up just before the Brussels Ring Road were a Primera and a Micra had had a fight so the road was totally blocked for an hour. Sat stationary in 35+ degrees. Nice. Got to the ' Ring about 19.00. Few beers, the odd Jagermeister and a pizza in the Pistenklaus Restaurant.
Monday, first day on the track. Breakfast for 6.45, lined up in our Group 5 for 7.30 and we started on the Bergwerk section first running up the hill to Kesselchen I. Our instructor Andy Boviensen works for Alpina and had a prototype Z4 3.2 with about 320BHP. He was in a 400BHP M3 for the recent 24hr race, and was showing us these lines which involved alot of early turn ins, riding kerbs on the apecies (!) and exits. He actually raced in the Carrera Cup series back in 92 apparently. Bit disconcertingly said it was the hardest car he had ever driven! Did various sections throughout the day including the Karrousel and my favourite Hohe Act all the way to Pflantzgarten. We then had about an hour and a half free lapping on the Grand Prix circuit. Must admit that the car felt happier in this smoother environment (or was it me with lack of armco and big runoff areas?) Had a huge slide around the Ford curve - downhill righthander, lifted off going into it and thought here we go but managed to hold it. Yahoo! Bridgestone S02s and brakes were fantastic throughout, really impressed. Lost count but I probably did 12 laps of the track before retiring to the hotel at about 7.45. Long day. Few beers and a Mexican in the Fuschsrohe Restaurant (can you see a pattern emerging here?) This restaurant is run by Sabine (and her husband) who pilots one of the Ring Taxis. She found the time to have a good chat about most things which was nice.
Tuesday, again breakfast at 6.45 on the go for 8.00. First job of the day was to drive a 530d Touring deliberately into an armco barrier. Hilarious the noise it makes! It was completely wrecked after our group so they got hold of a 740iL for the later groups which must have been fun. We then did some high speed braking exercises, an autotest (where I missed a gear, got annoyed, slipped the clutch and cooked it so I sat that one out) and a rear steer VW Golf which was like driving and old RS1600 on ice. Back to the serious business and we did the remainder of the sections from Hatzenbach through to Ex-Hulme in the afternoon. Finished up at about 8.00. Few beers and a fillet steak in the Pistenklaus.
Wednesday, breakfast at 6.45 and time for free lapping. As we had now done all 13 miles (broken down into 10 sections of about a mile and a half) we could hook it all together. Myself and Rich took turns to sit in with each other and comment which we found useful. Did a flying lap and got to see 150mph on the clock which is the fastest I have even been. Thought the road a bit bumpy just before the bridge so backed off but I was well chuffed. Just another 14mph to find next year! Some idiot crashed so we lost some time which was disappointing as it took nearly an hour to clean up. They were ok by the way. And so to the important element of the course.......
At 2.45 we lined up on the straight in number order ready for our assessment lap. Each of the instructors from the groups were positioned around the course at the significant corners and you have just 1 lap to impress them. You were marked out of 10
1 - World Champion
2 - Distinguished
3 - Very Good
4 - Good
5 - Line Met
6 - Satisfactory
7 - Line Hardly Met
8 - Rubbish
9 - Bent Metal about to Happen
10 - Chaos (according to my web translator anyway)
There were 21 instructors so theoretically the best score would be 21 points. We finished our laps, I was mildly pleased, watched some of the others through at Brunchen then went for a few beers.
The presentation was at the Dorint Hotel and there were prizes for each group and overall as well. The groups are split into 2. Routiniers are for people who have been 5 times or more (Advanced) and the rest including me (Novices). I was pleased to come second in my group with 64 points, and was 16th Novice out of about 150. Had a handful of 2s, mainly 3s and 4s and a couple of 5s. James in my group beat me with 60 points but it transpired he had already done 60 laps that year in his 993RS and an M3 Evo Sport! Dark horse or what? The winner overall got 33 points with mostly 1s and 2s with a couple of 3s driving a 996 Turbo. Had a few more beers and went to bed.
Left the ' Ring thursday at about 10.30 and got to Calais early for the 16.00 sailing. Back to the Travel INN for thursday night, had a few beers and a chinese, up to Liverpool for the 18.30 sailing on friday, back in my own bed for 10.30 friday night. Fantastic.
In Summary then.........
7 days away
Total miles covered = 1700
Liverpool - Ring = 600
Ring - Liverpool = 600
Therefore Nordschliefe/Grand Prix circuit approx 450 miles allowing for little trips for petrol etc
Total cost inc ferries x 2, hotels x 3, course, beers, food and petrol £1700.00. Pound a mile - bargain.
Overall consumption - c 26 mpg, 1 litre of oil and about 30 pints of beer, 1 pizza, 1 Indian, 1 Chinese, 1 fillet steak and a Burger King
Good things..........
I got a trophy
Grunt and grip. Such a difference to my M3
Bridgestone SO2s. Held up remarkable well
Brakes. Even better, couldnt fault them, although I think I have competition pads in.
The weather
A number of 993s and 996s, some of them significantly modified
The Americans were swarming over my car in the car park. I' ve never had someone take a photograph of my car before, so proud! Couple of them had RS Americas and were comparing so we had a good chat about all things RS.
Mine was the only 964RS there
Peter, a BMW test driver, was in our group with a prototype X5 (bigger engine I think) My perceptions of what an SUV can do round the Ring are well and truly thrown out the window, what a hoot!
Did I tell you I got a trophy?
Bad things.........
No aircon. We saw 44.5 degrees on Rich' s on-board computer
No power steering. (learning the course this way involves a lot of three (read 5) point turns. You cant drive on the grass as its full of carbon fibre shards, bits of bike and bottle tops)
It' s a long way with a sore bum
Belgium roads
Front end went light a few times over undulations. Anyone have a tweek?
Popped a topmount. (Thanks very much to Robin and Mark at 9m for sorting this out on the way home completely unannounced) Robin hadnt seen it happen before but reseated it and it seems to be ok, even after a 120mph blast over Mountain on the TT course on saturday [
] If anyone out there has converted to rubber mounts for comfort and has some uniballs going free or cheap ....... []Rack is also making a clicking noise - probably needs a re-con
Passenger door regulator now rattles (thanks Belgium Government)
Sacrilege I know, but my M3 handles better, probably cos it' s better balanced. Early on it felt like the car was driving me, but it did get better as I changed my style. Way quicker per lap however as the power just keeps on coming, especially up the hills to Klosteral and Hohe Act.
I have to wait till next year before going back.
I didnt come first in the group, booo!
There was an official photographer there so when he has uploaded his pictures I' ll get some posted
Guttentag!
Timmy
