A&Q about 350Z
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I haven't finished the one from may yet.
Mods please don't move this into the ghey show section or I will be forced to destroy a few pacific islands. (Evil Blofelt)
I wasn't officially going to attend this trip, but plans were afloat after our last trip to take the newly VR6'd mk2 over - Ian and myself.
I had two months to get the car converted, plenty of time I hear you cry!
Sadly the gearbox specialists still haven't got the 'box done (June 26th I dropped it off to . ) So we took the Finchmobile. Which is Ian's 180bhp track-focused rollerskate mk1 Golf.
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Thursday
Travel down to Enfield, Norf London to pick up Ian as he's dropping his company car off at work.
Have a drink with his work colleagues then head off to Canterbury. My 8v chugger stinks of petrol.
We have a look and the rubber fuel line from the fuel rail is split, ****ing fuel all over the ex mani. Nice!
Ian scrounges car back, we go to 'alfords and get some 8mm fuel pipe,a screwdriver and stanley knife.
Fix car, head off to Finchy towers, fit my OZ super T wheels on the mk1 in case journey over is wet, as they have Uniroyal rainsport tyres which are fantastic.
Ian starts cooking a curry while we wait for "The voice of reason" Chris Eyre to arrive as he's kipping on the sofa.
We hear some grumpy, obnoxious car chugging down the road that'll be the ex slick 50 race car mk1 that Chris is taking then, idling at 1500 rpm with a very sulky idle - sounded proper.
While Ian's finishing the curry we bleed the brakes on the mk1 - cue Eyre and GVK shouting "UP".... "UP" ......"DOWN" ...."DOWN" to each other in a non gay fashion.
Lovely curry it has to be said, few beers and watch a few vids from Ian and Lou's recent French week long track adventure - Pau Arnoux (sp) in the South of France looks awesome!!
Early night in readiness for early start Friday.
Friday
Weepbeeellpppppbeeeeeeeeepppp < grunt> <snore > < phart > < grumble >.... looks at clock 04:30am. "Whose idea WAS this, Chris?"
Up and out on the A2 down to Dover, get there for six, hoping to get a cooked Brekkie, boat loads early dashes that idea....Ian fixes bad earth on dash.
Meet Stu and Louise on the boat over to Bolougne and out onto A16 where we plan to meet Chris who sailed on P+O.
Meet at the Aire au Offenkerque, convoy through France and Belgium into Germany.
Meet up with Bill,RobT and Olly and their other halves at Junction 36 services on E40.
Eyre tops up gearbox oil using a gatorade type bottle to squirt it in as no funnel or pipe to hand.
Even the Skip Monkey RobT couldn't find any when he went for a wander.
Loads of banter flying around, felt like it was gonna be a great weekend.
Out on the road, Rob does a fly-by in the Audi doing big numbers. "Ave IT"
I calculate we'll get to the 'ring at 3:30pm - we trundle through Nurburg at 3:25 local time.
Go up the hill to the castle where the Hotel Burgstube is located, can't contact the land lady, German roadies hanging around for DTM call her a "Big B1tch" and call her for us.
Meet Ian and Jude who are also staying at the Burgstube - we met them in May, this time they were in a mk2 Golf GTI rather than Ian's A3 3.2 DSG they used before...
Change the wheels on the mk1 to some with Toyo R888 road legal track tyres ready for 5:15 start to TF.
Straight out on track as I had tickets left over from May.
Car park was rammed, no one could get in or out.
[ car park vid off fuji ]
With the amount of UK cars around, it was apparent lots of them were fast cars, but no idea on the track - we followed a black Evo 6 up QH, that was on the right hand side of the 'ramp' braking in all odd places
"Do him" I instruct Ian, who goes round the outside of him through Flugplatz...
It was good to be back to this beautiful place, both having massive grins as we went up Kesselchen with the sun illuminating the track snaking up through the Eifel mountains.
I had misty eyes, was just overwhelmed...
We passed another Evo that was being followed by two white DC2 Integras "Bet they're on sighting laps" I thought....
I'd only driven the mk1 from the castle to Ed Tankstelle to the car park, so was a rude awakening, the first lap.
Steering has all mad caster which puts on negative camber the further you turn, so you turn in, then if you want to turn more the steering is very heavy.. hmm this is going to take a bit of getting used to.
We had a scary wobble going down FR as I foolishly touched the brakes, things you can do in a 1400kg 4wd Golf R32 will bite your **** in this old mk1.
Ian was understandabley nervous about me being all numptified in his car... I would've been the same.
We decided it time to just chill out and do another steadier lap.
Was a lot smoother and lots of fun, lap 02 - Until we got to Sprunghugel where we saw one of our group (Rigs in the mk2 VR6) on the grass.
As luck would have it, it was 'only' a loose wheel - he was covered by ADAC.
Ian did the last couple of laps of the night, his speed and confidence building immensely.
Spotted Ian Howell flagging near Schwalbenschwanz, He said that the guy driving UK Integra type R in the barriers was only on his second lap.
"Hmm, wonder if that was one of 'em following that Evo?"
Back to the car park, SteveR has a bunch of British Golf fans checking out his mk2 - He's (And his Dad!) made a top job of a neat stripped 16v track car with it's recent Megasquirt ECU set up, AW tracksport dash and loads of other toys.
Of course I can't go anywhere without someone asking if I'm 'gvk' and do I have a black mk2 track car , black wheels.. yes that's me.
These guys have taken it to another level though and race a 194bhp mk2 16v in the VLN endurance races at the 'ring , we have a good old chat about techie stuff with them.. Very interesting,they removed the throttle bodies...
ADAC truck drops off Rigs VR and Nick sorts out the wheel nut problem - I christen him "Wheel Brace" PMSL.
At the close of TF Friday night, we all head back into Nurburg to get freshened up and make our way into town, stop off at Zur Burg and have a swift half with the Seat guys and girls (and Karen's bump) before making our way to the PK, where Tarmac Kev has arranged for 50 of us to dine!
We pushed Kev to the front of the queue and to our astonishment they had literally reserved the whole back room for us. Top work Kev.
Was a real buzz in the air, everyone enjoying themselves, it was great to be a part of it all. We sat with Nick (rallyevr6) and friends and got into a convo with Jag man ? name? About a choice of track car, he struggled with the track car concept tbh - MX5 with AC sat/ nav and a Supra engine would be his choice !!
Can't really think of anything else that happened that night other than a chat to Belgian Jochen from frozenspeed motorsport photography. Oh and Nick doing his best Scottish impression of Steph calling Ian's mk1 a '[ scot ]"Horseshoe" [ scot ] Very funny.
Saturday
It's wet first thing so we do the sensible thing and go up to Adenau and pimp Iguana's car transportation business to the wrecker yard near Breidscheid and get some photocopied flyers done to hand out to any UK ringers. With more and more UK insurance co's excluding the 'ring, Alex may be able to get a few trips out, to pick up a few broken or mangled vehicles.
We make or way back to the car park, and sadly hear about a few mishaps from our group in the wet. I felt as tho as one of the most experienced 'ringers in our group, I should've maybe given a basic breifing on Friday night before *anyone* went out.
Too late for that now.
I'd promised the night before to take 91davidw to Ring racing to see if they had any rental track cars available as Europcar had him on a 'banned' list and could offer no explaination as to why. Whatsisname? with the XKR tagged along to see if RR could fix his coolant leak - we dropped by the only day of the year the Kleins are on holiday, although Theo is around to arrange David a track prepared E36 325i to use on the Nordschleife - he explains how hard it was to get insurance for this business and how that too many people don't know the difference between TF and 'proper' racing.
We head off to Ed Tankstelle for some lunch and perve over all the machinery filling up with Super Bleifrei 98 ron fuel.
[ nick chris's pics ]
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Of course David needed a lid...
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We both jumped in and drove a lap each, first time for me driving a LHD / RWD car on the NS - Other than me being cack handed and struggling with the gears it was a lovely car to drive - "well balanced" I said.
It was odd being on the other side of the car driving on track - especially through the Karussell.
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Car park wander.
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Northloopers Ian Howell and Jude had hired the 318iS Compact from - engine felt like a mk2 16v but car handled very well - set up for VLN racing.
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Ian took me out for a lap, for some bizarre, no doubt economical reason RR had put some dodgy 'Sava' road tyres on the car, which were very squirmy and drifty toward the end of the lap - good fun for me after being a GheyWheelDrive man all these years.
Went out in SteveRs car - we passed that black UK Evo 6 again going up Kesselchen.His mk2 was perfectly suited to the 'ring , the suspension being much more compliant than the mk1.
It's a family affair - Steve and his Mum :)
See ya Evo...
Bugger me, a bus at WippermanEschbach !
Next pax lap was with Chris Eyre in the mk1 - most enjoyable - revvy 160bhp 1800 8v race motor but ultimately lacked the torque of Ian's car up the hills , handled really well on a set of proper Ledas tho. Chris's lines were pretty much spot on too.
"The voice of reason"
RobT pulled up in the Audi and we went for a near silent lap
GVK - "Is it on?"
RobT "Is what on,dude?"
GVK - "Derr engine,iz it on? "
GVK " What iz that whistling?"
RobT "Dattt is de turbo, it's got BOOST"
Fits of laughter from both of us
Passed a new Focus ST between AF and Metsgezfeld
"Iz datt an ASBO?" Rob asked
Chassis on the Audi felt very much like Claire's R32 , firm but coping with the bumps really well.
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I was mostly milling around the car park Saturday afternoon getting pax rides and taking pics.
Ianv went and got all 'focused' on Saturday afternoon and was found to have fallen asleep reading the . He woke up had a shower feeling switched on, and went out and beat his best time by 14 secs!!
Video of the lap
8:51 BTG in a car that will only do 120 mph up Kesselchen isn't bad at all!
Not when you think the 'ring taxi (500bhp M5 V10) is lapping at about 8:35 - 8:40 on a public day (Chris Eyre and Tarmac Kev timed it last year)
Saw Pooky another Northloop member, who has a track prepared E36 M3 , I'd met him earlier that day.
Asked if he was going out on track and he was! He was very quick, we didn't time the lap but it felt mid-low 8 min to me!
He was running Pagid Yelllows which are a fantastic pad, I've got some to go in the Golf (When I get the gearbox back ! )
After our lap he went and did this lap on video.
Told you he was on it! .......
He muttered the next day about doing an 8:18 early on Sunday!
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Thats got to be one of the most comprehensive right ups you've done in a long time
It sounds like you had such a great time that the 'buzz' is in every line of text!
I'm going to have to get my figure out get something trackable finished
I know what you mean comparing a mk4, with traction control / ESP to a earlier model with nothing, I've just been out for a blast in the puring rain in the mk 2
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RobT rounds us up at close of TF Saturday as he wants to get everyone up to Brunchenn for photos,this was hilarious with Rob,Bill,Nick and Chris Eyre wearing Ali G style caps and shades "WEST SIDE"
Tarmac Kev, in the hi-vis jacket with a pikey twang, was ordering everyone where to park, even "Mick in the Pajero" - Irish David said it sounded too much like home. LOL!
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After our lap he went and did this lap on video.
Told you he was on it! .......
hard driving but not OTT, nice one
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Most of the group were at the PK for three nights, Ian and myself were going elsewhere on the Saturday.
It was a toss up between the Chinese in Adenau (which has been shut when we've tried before...) or go elsewhere in Nurburg.
Ian and Jude from Northloop.co.uk joined us in the Motorsport paddock hotel where we had a nice meal.
Now I know Chris Eyre, David, Ian and myself were in the Lindenhof till early hours Sunday morning but the evening is a bit of a blur other wise. May need some help here. LOL!
I've been looking at teh photos to piece together the day's happenings but have no evidence of Saturday night. Maybe a good thing.. eh?
I do remember Ian and David being very competitive flipping/catching beer mats and lots of loud rock music being played, oh and the EDO competition 911 road legal race cars being parked on the layby on the hill. These were spotted as "operation midnight" unfolded.
We teased Chris Eyre about this as they held the lap record for the 'ring and looked no more road legal than a Radical...
Oh,did I just say Radical? Sorry Chris.
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Some of our footage from Ian's mk1 Golf - more to follow.
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Footage from Brun2 - Nick's TVR 350C is the only car from 'our' group shown.
Some nice slides from 'ring taxi etc tho!
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Chatted to this guy on the M11 Bishop Storford services on the way home ! :)
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This bloke (second from right) is a living legend in the VW scene - older members may remember a green wide arched mk1 in all the mags where a guy had built it with a 16v head on an 8v block.
I recognised him as being Simon Dawes sure enough it was him. Much to the amusement of Nick (Dogwood) [front of first pic] and his mates.
Credit / send the boys round to Chris Eyre for these updated pics
"Over the years he's moved via a Caterham amongst others to his current
3.8
Carrera: looking mint, sat on coilies, c/w brake ducts, with a
rear-half
cage. Proper 'Ring material" 'like' !
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"The voice of reason" [ click image to enlarge in new window ]
Chris Eyre
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Some our group including Dogwood, Simon in the 944 turbo and probably more besides - click 'alle' in the rh top corner.
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Sunday
Ian wanted a lie-in on Sunday morning but said it was ok for me to go down to the track as long as I was careful in the car. Last thing I want to do is bin a mate's car so I was mindful of his words all morning.
As I always mention, I get too bloody excited at the 'ring and find it difficult to sleep so at 08:10 I was getting fuel and a 4 'runde' ticket from the Ed Tankstelle.. Oh and a couple of cans of Red Bull which is simply 98 ron fuel for fat men !
Car park was blissfully quiet so I set off for a sighting lap, the track was empty but dry, the sky dull and the air damp, the mk1 was pulling like a train! I was overwhelmed just how bloody exciting this place is as I flew out of Ex-Muhle with the stiffly sprung mk1 rocking about on all four corners over the undulating exit.
I was punching the air with delight and shouting "Come on!!" "Yeahhhh" I really needed this after all the bad luck and feeling very low recently with that new engine failing after a fortnight and of course losing my brother last December < wipes tears of emotion >
The next lap will be something I will cherish for a very long time, the R888s were at their optimum temp,engine nice and warm so I got 'on it' !
I had the whole track to myself,other than passing a caged up local Polo at Klostertal where we both gave each other a thumbs up, I had one car catch and pass me at Brunnchen which was Keith Maddock, an American ABS engineer that used to live in Koblenz, he was back in the States now but was over renting an Opel Speedster (VX220) from Frohlich, we had met at the 'ring before and bumped into each other last August too.
Keith waved out of the open roof and followed him for the rest of the lap back to the car park.
He sounded impressed with the old Golf "Hey,that thing has great cornering speed"
We had a chat and then went out in the Speedster, Keith used to drive the 'ring every night where possible so you can imagine he's pretty handy. He did over 700 laps in 2003 IIRC!
Jesus christ, Keith was really dialled in this morning, we did two cracking laps back to back, again on a pretty much deserted track, other being held up by a souped up Mini Cooper S up through Hohe Acht.
My stomach reminded me after lap 2 that I had been in the Lindenhof until silly o clock.
I spotted 'spots' that mark turn in and apexes that I hadn't seen before, so either they were new for the BMW drivers course or I had been turning in too early. Time to adjust a few lines baldie!
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It was SteveRs birthday and lucky for him had got a ride in the 'ring taxi at 11am or so.
Took him out for a lap in the Golf, was passing all kinds of 'fast' cars.
Was a terrifying looking accident where a UK GT3 was facing the traffic on the wrong side of the armco,up onto the grass bank on the inside of Miss-Hit-Miss.
Steve was timing the lap on the phone and with having to slow for the accident at MHM we did 9:12 which is quicker than I've done in the R32. But still nothing like as quick as a car like Ian's can do. Whilst chatting to Matt Collier from the 'ringers list later on he said a Golf with R tyres and 180bhp should be able to do an 8:30! Bigger kahoonahs required there mate!
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As we got back from going on a cool down drive around the block, we were told Dave (one of our group) had had an accident at AF where he collided with an Audi - He was ok but car was undriveable with damaged suspension. As a result the track was closed and Steve's birthday taxi lap put on hold for a bit.
I went back and checked if Ian was up and about, we bolted all the bits that had vibrated loose on the car ( exhaust brackets,door handles!!) then went up to Breidscheid for some lunch. It started raining.. oh joy!
We sat outside the Imbiss waiting for the rain to pass, wallop a car hit the wall at Breidscheid.
Back to the car park, still wet so went for a car park wander.
[ car park porn pics ]
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I went out with Nick in Rig's mk2 VR6 to help him find his way around the track, we had a pretty good lap, car sounded 'kin awesome! Big grins.
He then let me drive it for a lap to give me some idea how horrible my mk2 will be with that heavy old engine canted over the front wheels. Gearchange on the car can best be described as 'vague' and I had trouble finding gears. Left it in 3rd all the way up to The hill to Karussell, brushing the rev limiter before dropping into the banking.!!. VEEERRRRRaraaaaaabbabababababa!!!
As Nick has said in his report we went full tilt through Pflansgarten and " 'ad it " over the jump (the 'ave it! leap as we call it around here) :)) Good fun this.
As I keep saying, there's feck all wrong with that engine in the front of a mk2.
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Also got a ride out in Andy's (cpufreak on SCN) M3 CSL - I have always loved these cars and was a dream come true to go out in one, the noise.. Oh man... the noise!!!
< spent > Thanks for that Andy.
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By now there was a bit of a buzz around the car park about Ian's mk1. Lot of guys asking why it went as fast as it does :)).... and by mid afternoon we had a list of folk wanting to go out as passengers - myself and Ian spent the rest of the day doing this. It's amazing that there could be so much interest in a 24yr old Golf, we had people taking pics, filming and asking about it everywhere we went. Really cool!
Highlight for me was taking an American guy out Rich, who was at the 'ring for the first time in a new Mustang! He bloody loved the lap in Ian's Golf, thumbs up and "Yeeehahhhh" from him all the way round. Brilliant! Made my day.
I took Jo out, Rig's gf, but we had no fuel to get back and the roads were one way traffic due to the DTM.
I missed the turning for the industrial park after the Ed Tankstelle and had to go further and turn left along the 412 that runs along the track at Brunchenn (track was closed,biker off at Eschbach) etc .
Four lanes of traffic slow moving, we turned off at the Hohe Acht junction and went back to Nurburg via Adenau. One hour it took to get back to Nurburg!
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Thats got to be one of the most comprehensive right ups you've done in a long time
It sounds like you had such a great time that the 'buzz' is in every line of text!
Is that good or bad?