Went to the 'Ring yesterday with some friends who've never been before. Here's the video here from my GoPro HD. The first car on the video, a BMW 335, was in our group and I passed him right away, just after the gantry. The next guy had a BMW M3 and I caught him at 2:58. The third guy was driving a Nissan 350Z and zipped by him around 4:20. The last guy had a Renault Clio and must've had a good headstart because I didn't catch him until 5:45. Again, they hadn't been before and this was my first run with Maggie, my 2010 JCW, so I'm no expert just more familiar with the track. Detailed write-up here.


In 67 days, I'll be returning to the US after living in The Netherlands for 4.5 years and I'm really, REALLY looking forward to the Dragon, Rockingham and VIR, to name a few. However, what in the US truly compares to the Nordschleife where it is legal to really hammer the corners and about 13 - 15 miles long, per lap?!? Regardless of how good the Nurburgring is, I'm still leaving here in 67 daze!!

Cheers!!

 

Also from 5th of May but no red Cooper but enough happening.



I also go to the Ring regularly, this year I have a 'Jahreskarte'.
But Last week I lost my M7 splitter (and belt and Aero bumper destroyed) because I had to go through the grass at 90 mph after Pflanzgarten because somebody did not see me coming. It could have been worse easily.

 

Some pictures of yesterday but I don't know if this is you, I think not.
I suspect you were very late on the track, this is the only Red Cooper photographed.





The one who lost his wheel in the video was this Apollo Gumpert:

 

Berthil,

Funny video, especially of the passenger's exit!! We were expecting a 0900 opening, however, didn't know that had been pushed back to 1100. Over on 8200rpm.com, you can see us standing on the entry lanes around 0940 and here's me starting my last lap at 1257. I saw a lot of those cars there and the photographer outside the Karussell. Perhaps I was going by too fast for him to get a photo of me!! I don't know what I'm doing wrong because I've never had a photo from >any< of the 'Ring photo sites. Guess I've gotta try again!

Cheers!!

 

Great video!
Here in WA in the land with not speed. I see you got a new mini and you are ready to come back to the states, were? Hopefully we can meet again.

Henry

 

"Video removed at the request of the user... "

Seems to be endemic around here... Much like all the 'how to' threads that have had their photos hot-linked from another site, where they no longer exist... Why post a video if you are going to remove it 2 months later???

 

The vid is available on his blog site linked to later in the first post.

 

Here's the YT link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_wVBDoG_nA&sns=em

Cheers!!

 

Great video man! I am looking forward to visiting the 'Ring myself. To be honest though, wouldn't mind a slow lap to get familiar with track before going all out. I can't imagine what you or I will do when we get back to the states and drive the normal posted speed which is half of what the speed limit is here (depending on what you are driving haha).

 

Dude, I've been back since July and it just hasn't been as fun. Though I must admit that driving on the 'Bahn wasn't my thing (no Esso card, lots of € for fuel!) but I absolutely miss the roundabouts of Holland! I would make laps on them for the Gs. Here in NC, the natives are too confused for me to be able to make turns without a MAJOR accident. So it goes. As for the 'Ring, the Xbox game has a fairly descent version which'll help orient you. On my first trip, I bought four laps but only really tried on the last one. And that was with a co-driver who'd make sub 8:30s in his R53! Once I learned the track, I then had to learn the limits of my car and to remind myself that there wasn't a RESET button if I screwed it up! Enjoy and good luck!

Cheers!!