ali37 Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 2011 Trip to Nürburgring After picking a date and booking the ferry and hotel back in March, it seemed as if the trip was never going to come around. Never the less the end of July arrived and we got the cars checked over, packed and got ready for the trip. The weapons of choice : Ali37 – MY05 STI Wuz – MY02 STI Prodrive Day 1 - Thursday 28th July After meeting Wuz at the local McD’s for a bite to eat, we headed off to on the road to Newcastle. A quick pop in past Steve Whitson Motorsport to drop off some parts and we continued on our way. We arrived at the ferry at about 3.30pm after a quick fuel stop and got the cars loaded, then headed for a beer. Managed to get a great 28mpg on the way down! (well great for a 400bhp car which usually returns 18mpg) Day 2 - Friday 29th July We arrived in Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) at 9am fed, watered and ready to go. On leaving the ferry terminal, we were glad that we had fuelled up in Newcastle the day before as the V-Power in Holland is only 95 ron!! After punching the destination onto the Sat Nav, off we set. We had chosen a route that let us see some of the countryside as well as having some fun. After a negotiating out of Amsterdam and the many speed cameras, we headed for Arnhem and crossed the Pegasus bridge then carried on heading for Nürburg. On the way we tried the obligatory “high speed run” on the Autobahn but had to back off several times due to traffic (happened to the Top Gear boys, typical it should happen to us) We then took the road with a few tunnels cut through the hill (which we found on our last visit to the Ring) and did a quick few runs through with the windows down – awesome sound (videos to follow). We were only a short distance from Nürburg now and were soon at our hotel, the Ringhaus near the entrance of the Ring. Day 3 - Saturday 30th July We were woken at 8am by the VLN practice starting – the note of a V12 Mercedes SLR at 150+ must be the finest alarm you could want. After a quick breakfast we changed my wheels for the track ones then headed down to the GP circuit to watch the VLN racing. For €12 we got a ticket the let us access the GP circuit interior, rear pit area and grandstand. Somehow, we found ourselves in the pit area mid-race but decided to make a beeline for the grandstand as there we too much commotion in the pits. Watched some great racing until the race was stopped 3 hours in when an Aston hit and M3 at 180mph (Aston was barely recognisable as a car afterwards, driver got out without a scratch…. Gotta love those rolcages!). The race restarted about an hour later with an awesome rolling start with over 130 cars. The Nordschleife opened at 5:30pm, but looking at the 150 car-long queues either side of the ring entrance we decided to do some spectating and leave the driving till the next day. Day 4 - Sunday 31st July Eager to get some track time we did some last minute checks – oil, tyres, etc. and headed down to the Ring. Another very busy day but the track eventually opened. The first 2 laps were taken easy to get a feel and refresh the memory of the track. After a short break, back on track and did a set of 3 laps. The track closed with an accident so a visit to the Devils Diner for some lunch. Highly recommended is a devils cheeseburger with devils sauce. Once the track re-opened back out for another 3 laps. Since the GP circuit was part of the track on the Monday, it was decided to head back for a beer and the steak on a stone(with added king prawn)at the famous Pistenklause. Day 5 - Monday 1st August With the track not open until 12pm, we headed down to the Nürburgring complex at the GP circuit to have a look round the Ring°werk (which you get free with your lap pass). Had a look round, did the souveneir thing then back to the track. Another 4 laps, this time including the Grand-Prix-Strecke. At this point I found out that Wuz had a oil leak while doing 140mph down the GP start straight. The oil feed pipe to the turbo had cracked at the swaged end and was leaking oil onto the hot headers (the night before we had noticed a small drip and had nipped up the fitting as a precaution – looks like this had widened the crack!!). By the time I got back to the hotel Wuz had removed the pipe and arranged a repair at a nearby ring rental garage (RSR - great bunch of guys, whole thing run by 2 Brits). While waiting Wuz jumped in to the passenger seat and we did another quick lap. The track was then closed for a few hours as a Porsche had dropped oil and a few bikes had crashed because of this. Another trip to the Devils Diner for a bite then we went to get the repaired oil line for Wuz and get his car running. I headed back to complete my last 3 laps while Wuz went for a “spirited” test drive. After making sure all the oil had burned off and no more leakage Wuz squeezed in a couple more laps before the ring closed (at 2/3rds pace just in case) whilst I changed back into my road wheels. Each night at about 5pm about 10 Jaguar XKR-S appeared from the Jaguar test facility to take some potential customers for a few laps. Day 6 - Tuesday 2nd August Up early for the drive back to Ijmuiden to catch ferry. Quick fuel stop and then on our way. Checked the MPG for the day before and it had dropped to 10.1 MPG. A nice easy pace was maintained as the Autobahn was quite busy with traffic. We arrived in Amsterdam about 12.30pm so decided to head into the centre for lunch. 20mins later we were sat in Hard Rock Café tucking into their legendary Pulled Pork Sandwich with a cocktail (non-alcoholic!!). Back on the ferry at 3.30pm we headed for a few beers to celebrate a great trip. Day 7 - Wednesday 3rd August Arrive Newcastle 9am and headed to AS Performance to get Wuz’s brand new oil feed pipe which Wuz fitted in 10 mins (cheers by the way Alyn, great service again) then headed back home. Statistics Total mileage 1295 miles Total fuel 318 litres Laps of ring 15 (8 Nordschleife , 7 Nordschleife + Grand-Prix-Strecke) Distance on ring (Nordschlife) 117.6 miles Distance on ring (Nordschleife + Grand-Prix-Strecke) 112.8 miles Some on track photo’s Nürburgring emergency response vehicle. And some of the parking lot.
warrior08 Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 That looks like a fantastic way to spend a few days.
wrx kenny Posted August 20, 2011 Posted August 20, 2011 Excellent write up guys and photos , can't wait for the trip now, where about where the tunnels Any tips for us that are going next month thanks Kenny
Guest Posted August 20, 2011 Posted August 20, 2011 Superb write up. Looked like fun. Will hopefully get a trip over there once I have finished my project car.
Midnight21 Posted August 20, 2011 Posted August 20, 2011 Excellent I'll not be driving when we go but looking forward to being a pax there now
corsa Posted August 20, 2011 Posted August 20, 2011 oooo nice write up and good pics, looking forward to the videos. Davie
Badgerboy Posted August 20, 2011 Posted August 20, 2011 Great write up and cracking pix Roll on the videos My burning question..............db levels......were they checked or did you see anyone having their cars checked? Badgers dont like being bunged up!!!!
ali37 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Posted August 20, 2011 We saw no-one being tested for noise level when we were there. We had made sure that our scoobs were not too loud. (you don't want to be driving over 1000 miles with too loud and droning exhaust anyway) You should be ok providing you take it easy in the parking lot and que and don't rev your engine too much. The official limit for the ring is below so if your exhaust is excessive you takes your chances. Vehicles which do not comply with the noise threshold values entered in the vehicle registration papers with regard to the noise emissions from stationary and moving vehicles shall be banned from driving on the track. Furthermore, the noise threshold value is not allowed to exceed the level in accordance with the near field measurement method (95 dB [A]) and the maximum sound-power level (140 dB [A]) stipulated by Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, measured when the vehicle is driving past. Nürburgring Automotive GmbH conducts sound measurement surveys on the course, and reserves the right to exempt vehicles from the tourist drives if they exceed the above noise threshold values, even if their noise threshold values do not exceed those stipulated in the vehicle registration papers. Vehicles with defective or illegally altered exhaust systems shall also be banned.
Gumball Posted August 22, 2011 Posted August 22, 2011 Great report mate !! really enjoyed reading it and the photos are superb too. Especially the one with Wuz eating the huge burger Like what the M3 driver has done with the over excessive nurburgring sticker. Fancy one of those.
fai17 Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 Brilliant write up Ali. Looked like a good time was had by all and just like the rest had said " would love a trip there myself" Maybe next year!
terzo neil Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 We saw no-one being tested for noise level when we were there. We had made sure that our scoobs were not too loud. (you don't want to be driving over 1000 miles with too loud and droning exhaust anyway) You should be ok providing you take it easy in the parking lot and que and don't rev your engine too much. The official limit for the ring is below so if your exhaust is excessive you takes your chances. Vehicles which do not comply with the noise threshold values entered in the vehicle registration papers with regard to the noise emissions from stationary and moving vehicles shall be banned from driving on the track. Furthermore, the noise threshold value is not allowed to exceed the level in accordance with the near field measurement method (95 dB [A]) and the maximum sound-power level (140 dB [A]) stipulated by Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, measured when the vehicle is driving past. Nürburgring Automotive GmbH conducts sound measurement surveys on the course, and reserves the right to exempt vehicles from the tourist drives if they exceed the above noise threshold values, even if their noise threshold values do not exceed those stipulated in the vehicle registration papers. Vehicles with defective or illegally altered exhaust systems shall also be banned. was there last year, roughly same dates in september and there were random noise testing and there must have 6 cars in total barred from entering the ring that weekend plus saw spotters at the vantage points taking notes take your chances, long drive for nothing if caught
corsa Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 was there last year, roughly same dates in september and there were random noise testing and there must have 6 cars in total barred from entering the ring that weekend plus saw spotters at the vantage points taking notes take your chances, long drive for nothing if caught No worries Neil, we shall let you know how we all get on, cannae wait, the whole group is so excited. Davie
terzo neil Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 (edited) no worries davie as far as i remember from last year, he bought a 4 lap card, when he came in from 1st lap, they barred him due to the exhaust noise as cards are non refundable, he had to sell his card to someone, but never got all the money back and he was there for weekend, and this was friday evening session i am at spa f1 circuit for a trackday the week after you lot go to the ring, then i am off to the ring after that for 4 days, should be intersting, got new spoiler for rear for higher speed stability got the camera ready for car, will be fun to go flat out up au rogue in the scooby Edited August 27, 2011 by Terzo Neil
terzo neil Posted August 27, 2011 Posted August 27, 2011 oh BTW make sure you dont hit anything last year one of the group i was with had a mr2 turbo with 450bhp in it, drove it all the way there, started his first lap of the ring, managed 5 corners and engine bay fire, gutted the rear half of the car, he parked it on the side of the track, they came put out fire, recovered car, cleaned grass, redone grass and charged him a nice 1700 euro's to be payed instantly and another person on track clipped the barriers 3 times in a big sideways spin, he got charged 3700 euro's for damage to barriers, grass and kerbing and recovery i managed just over 140 mph down the longest straight and will being passed by the big power boys like i was in 2nd gear
Badgerboy Posted August 28, 2011 Posted August 28, 2011 We saw no-one being tested for noise level when we were there. We had made sure that our scoobs were not too loud. (you don't want to be driving over 1000 miles with too loud and droning exhaust anyway) You should be ok providing you take it easy in the parking lot and que and don't rev your engine too much. The official limit for the ring is below so if your exhaust is excessive you takes your chances. Vehicles which do not comply with the noise threshold values entered in the vehicle registration papers with regard to the noise emissions from stationary and moving vehicles shall be banned from driving on the track. Furthermore, the noise threshold value is not allowed to exceed the level in accordance with the near field measurement method (95 dB [A]) and the maximum sound-power level (140 dB [A]) stipulated by Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, measured when the vehicle is driving past. Nürburgring Automotive GmbH conducts sound measurement surveys on the course, and reserves the right to exempt vehicles from the tourist drives if they exceed the above noise threshold values, even if their noise threshold values do not exceed those stipulated in the vehicle registration papers. Vehicles with defective or illegally altered exhaust systems shall also be banned. Cheers for the info and heads up Ali. All currently "in order" with the Badger
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