Several weeks ago, I'd planned on running the ‘Ring, however, the weather went to crap and I was not interested in an hour and half drive to lazily coast around the ‘Ring in the rain.

After more Real Life delays, it seemed as if I was destined to run the ‘Ring this weekend. On a whim, I found that it was open, the weather was looking to be nice and my oldest boy was in from the States. (Go Appalachian State University!! Three-peate Division I FCS National Champions!!)

It has been said that the adventure is in the journey, not the destination. Hmm. So, there I was, having just come off the Bahn, following the Nordschleife signs, casually driving along and enjoying beautiful weather when a maniacal, suicidal pheasant comes smoking across the road from my left doing an excellent Road Runner impression. As I was doing ~100k, the only safe thing to do was hit the horn and drive through. This bird was about 18-20 inches tall and in full stride once it met up with Maggie. After the feathers settled, I went another 500-800 meters down the road and pulled over to inspect the damage. With two distinct thumps from the carcass, I was certain my bottom cooling fan was destroyed. As I pulled off the road to the shoulder, there was a loud, metallic noise that I was not expecting. After my son and I leaped out of Maggie, I noticed a metallic plate on the shoulder where I'd pulled in and thought it strange that I didn't notice it before but, once I looked at Maggie's front, realized that it was my license plate!! The front plate holder was cracked at the top right corner, however, was still able to hold my plate, as can be seen here and here. Other than that, no damage. Just had to pull a bunch of feathers out of the front of the engine bay. Talk about dodging a bullet!! Or not…

As before, I was certain that discovery learning was going to be painful and I was wrong, simply because there was no one else there!! Actually, there was two other cars in the parking lot, however, they weren't going on the ‘Ring!

As my German isn't so hot, I fumbled, bumbled down to the Tourist Information Office and bought my 4 lap ticket to the ‘Ring and an excellent map of the old and new circuits. The map is about 3'x1.5' and laminated for long use! Though, I would not recommend using it in the car whilst on the ‘Ring because it’s so big! The ticket itself is like any parking garage ticket and lists on the front how many laps it is good for. The lady there was very helpful in locating the actual entrance to the ‘Ring as it wasn’t very obvious. I did mention my non-German speaking capability, right?

Once at the entry, I stepped into the ticket office to clarify procedures, which are quite easy. When you pull into the actual entry area, there are three lanes with the parking garage type ticket machines for each. The middle lane is for motorcycles, the right lane is for the larger vehicles, like buses () and the left lane is solely for cars. Put your ticket in the machine and it’ll spit it back out if there’re any laps left on it. The tickets are good to the end of the year, however, I could’ve bought ’08 tickets.

And that’s it. Not too hard, not too complicated.

That is, until you realize that you’re on the Nurburgring Nordschleife!!!

My first lap was crazy slow, in compliance with Rule Number ONE: Must not hurt Maggie. Also, I had zero prep for this adventure. Before, I'd planned on printing out a manageable map to help identify the next turns as that was my biggest fear: to come smoking uphill and miss a blind turn into barrier!! Regardless, it was a blast. Intense, truly intense. I took about 10-20 minute breaks between laps as Maggie's brakes were very hot. No rotor damage, however, a whole lot more wafting than what we had on the Poppa Bear Run!!

After the third run, my son went and got some used tickets that I could keep and put on Maggie's board back home. This board has the TPOS from other adventures that I look forward to adding more stuff to!

All in all, a good day. Got some swag that I'll put on Maggie today. Truly intense and I will be coming back. Especially after Maggie's Christmas present is an Alta V2 15% pulley! Don't tell her, though! Now, to start saving my schekels for that USS.

Now, to be honest, I enjoyed this trip very much, however, I'm a roundabout kinda guy. I love the way Maggie rips through the turns with the lateral G's. Nordschleife is more of a straight line speed deal, which is not high on my list of neat tricks. Coming out of Nurburgring into the German country side, there were some roads which, with the hairpins and switchbacks, reminded me of Switzerland!! That's what I like.

I have a Google Earth plot of the ED Tankstelle, tourist office and start point. PM if anyone needs them.

Cheers!!

 

Poppa - schweet! (that's Deutsche for "sweet", in case you were wondering...)

Shoulda found and mounted the pheasant. Other than that sounds like you did well.

I love living vicariously through you guys. Well, not really. But since I can't be there right now, it's gotta "do"...

I led RudyT and the local gang on a drive here yesterday - not the Ring... but that didn't stop Rudy from needing his DSC a couple of times...

 

PB --

So, next time we make it a party -- daflake and I and others will come up, do the pulley install, and then hit the ring.

Sound about right?

What did the laps cost? (Man, the dollar sucks these days....)

 

Abu,

Might have to come down to ya'll first for that pulley install; better auto shop!! I'm buying/paying, for sure.

I paid €64 for 4 laps and the ticket I got was good to the end of the year. I could've bought calendar year 2008 tickets, however, I knew I was gonna blow through all four laps that day!! According to this guy, the prices will go up in '08, €70/4. Regardless, I think it's well worth it.


BTW, a couple more snaps from the ‘Ring are in my gallery. And I'm still working the technology issue about that multimedia image capture, too. (I did not say v-i-d-e-o, did I?!?) Now, if I can figure out which photographic company was were yesterday, I'm so down for some Happy Snaps from the ‘Ring!!

Does Hockenheim do something like this, too, I wonder???

Cheers!!

Blimey,

There really wasn't too much left of that pheasant once Maggie spit it out. No feathers, that's for sure, because there were so many in the lower grill!! As for RudyT's DSC, I forgot to mention that it did kick on periodically on the ‘Ring but I was too chicken to turn it off!!

Also, your drive looks really good and I'll be looking forward to them once we return to the States. Motor On!!

Cheers!!

 

...guess I better get a pulley and join the party! BTW, it looks like I got the NATO job I was looking at for my post-command tour this spring/summer! I think I'll ask for another Jahre Kart for Father's Day!

Welcome to the 'Ringer's Club Poppa Bear!

 

So, so jealous of you...

That is on my short list of things I must do before I die: to drive on the Ring.

Someday... someday.

 

91Eunos,

As Daflake, Abuzavi and loesches are the "resident" experts for this, it would be best all around if you and I were to tag them up at the same time. Quite a bit of travel involved across Germany. Also, our costs for their services would be cheaper, too!! Now, I'm just waiting on USPS delivery of my Alta v.2 15% (yes, I went conservative!).

Cheers!!


jonnieoh,

Shouldn't be too hard, just that the exchange rate is complete crap now. But when you do make the trip, there's this guy who comes from the UK quite often to the 'Ring and has done a fairly decent job of documenting the accomodations, food and 'Ring rentals!! I used his site to (somewhat) prepare myself for the trip. Granted, coming from the UK or Holland is not quite as bad as coming from the East Coast of the US!!!

Cheers!!

 

Hey, Poppa Bear --

How's 19 January or the following weekend, for a pulley party / parts install day? 91Eunos, that means you, too.

Say yes, and we'll pop a new thread and start planning.

daflake is in, I thing. Probably Henry, too. Scott -- well, he's unavailable.

Heidelberg? Kaiserlautern area?

 

abu,

I'm good for that -- if my pulley gets in by then!! Go USPS!!

As for where, K-town or Heidelberg, I'll leave that up to whichever is easier/better for ya'll. Beggers can't be choosers! Like I said, I'm buying so let me know what the costs for the bay, and other consumable/expendible items , will be. Of course, assuming we don't have any Abuzavi Customizations��™ we'll have to make a run for it, whether the 'Ring is open or not! For that, ya'll're buying your own gas. Guess Scott is doing that long-term time share vacation?

BTW, who do ya'll recommend buying a new s/c belt from, anyways? Thanks.

Cheers!!

 

Done.

Go sign up!

 

Rides on The Ring that I saw the first time I was there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf4NI03ShHg

A compilation of some rounds around the Ring in my Cooper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOdkOFcwKxo

 

PB -- what about a track day on 15 FEB? Us folks down here have the day off from work. Drive up there in the morning, hit the track in the early afternoon, be home before bed.

If not then, maybe 04 April.

Please advise....

 

Abu,

Sounds like a plan, which I have to clear through Central Planning (wife). I'm definitely good for this, as long as there's no S-factor!! BTW, where are you getting the February schedule? If it opens at 09, I'm there!! What does Hockenheim look like?

Cheers!!

 

Did I say 15th? I meant 16th. Saturday. It's open 16th -- according to their website....

 

...if the wx's clear I plan to do a post-pulley party run on Sunday (1st day the track's officially open to the public this year) to see how 19% more boost feels!

 

Oh, that could be dangerous!

I'm on kid duty this Sunday -- do they let kids in car seats ride in the back on the ring? 'Cause mine would totally be down with that....