The Ring Taxi rocked.

I must admit though, going from a Lotus Exige, the M5 felt powerful, but heavy. Go figure!



The driver was very fast around that track. I have done about a million simulator (read PS2) laps of the Ring, but they do not come close to replicating the elevation changes on the track. Amazing, it's like you are constantly on a hill. Sideways, rightways, uphill, downhill. It seems almost never flat.

Front tires were about done on the M5, it was pushing like crazy, but the laps were still crazy fast and loads of fun.

Not worth 185 euro but totally worth the 60 it cost me. I sat in the back seat and gave a dude 60 for the pleasure. I must admit, I got a little queasy, but I like that.



I took a video, but I was holding the camera by hand. I'll upload it, if it looks remotely interesting.

Porsche factory tour in the AM, followed by MB.

I am in Stuttgart again. I drove the Romantic Road today and yesterday. I also stopped by Rothenburg today. That was worth the trip. Crime and Punishment museum highlighting the medieval ways. However, there is something very similar in Florence.

Watching the race right now. One thing I like about Hotels is they have TVs. Something I miss out on at home.

best,

 

You say "laps" in the taxi. Did you get more than one? Did you have Sabene for a driver? I think you would agree the Ring is not a track you can learn in a few days of lapping and classes.

Rothenburg is a town one has to spend a night in to really get the whole atmosphere. It's one of my favorites.

 

No, just one lap in the taxi. I'm infering that the other laps the driver does in a day are similar to the one I did.

I was in Rothenburg last night and today. I agree, it is a neat place.

I also went up in the tower, which is a must do. I wish I could have stayed around for the night watchman tour, but wanted to catch the race.

6 laps to go, Massa 25 second lead on Hamilton.

Ferrari just added rain tires

 

Jason went up in the tower. I didn't because I'm acrophobic. BTW isn't it past your bedtime?

 

Trevour, sounds like you enjoyed the Ring Taxi just as much as I did. I was hootering and hollering the whole time. The driver even wondered whether I was getting sick or enjoying the ride. Larry who was sitting in the back behind me assured him that I was in fact enjoying myself so he went even faster! I really wanted to take videos but the driver said I couldn't which in hindsight was probably a good thing because I'd probably have been so focused on holding the camera steady that I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the experience as much. You're right about one thing, it's definitely a hundred times better experiencing the real than over simulated versions. We passed EVERYONE!

I enjoyed Rothenburg too. I did go up that tower too. I took a bunch of fisheye shots from up there too. We also caught part of the night watchman tour too but because we were pretty much roaming by ourselves we didn't catch everything that was said. Definitely one of my favorite places to go. Do you plan to visit the Auto Technik museum? If not then you definitely should! Your jaws will drop, guaranteed. Never seen such a variety of different vehicles ranging from military tanks all the way to both the Concorde and the Russian version too.

 

I second the motion on a visit to the Auto und Technik Museum in Sinsheim. About an hour from Stuttgart off of the A6 northwest of Heilbronn. This is a SHOULD NOT BE MISSED museum. It puts the Smithsonion to shame! Even if you don't spend a day there at least go see what you're missing.

 

Nobody panic!!! Everything is going to be okay. I left the Nurburgring in one piece so that the rest of you can go enjoy it. But more my driving laps later, I have a tale that will curl the hair on the back of your neck!! Go grab a beverage then come back here, sit down and enjoy...


It's just a tad after 4pm and the cool fall air is wafting to and fro pushing the fallen leaves around in the paddock. While the breeze is certainly refreshing, I am absolutely spent. My concentration has started to fade and I definitely have a good case of helmet hair, so no more laps of the Ring for me today. Nothing on earth could possibly top this whimsical day of frolicking about in the Eiffel mountains.

Just then, I see a white blur zoom past out on straight known as "Dottinger-Hohe" I can just make out, a faint red lettering near the bottom of the doors. GT3 RS.

I shake my head as if to tell some unseen watcher, " Can you imagine a lap around this track in that car?" That's what dreams are made of right there. Indeed, and they are made right here. vvv

My instructor for the day asks me, in a thick English accent, "well mate, shall we take the beetle 'round a bit then?" With a nod toward the GT3 RS that has just pulled into the paddock, a glint in his eye. "I'd like that very much, thank you."

Off we go then.

I strap my "lid" on for one last time as the owner tells Darren, my instructor, "So, right, the speed to beat is 179mph at Antonius Buche Bridge. Gulp. I sit down and strap into the car remembering that there is only about 2 feet of space between the track and the ARMCO in most places. Get those belts extra tight! Right, of we go.

The acceleration is absolutely crushing. We scream up the gearbox to Tier Garten at a pace that seems to defy physics. Can cars go this fast? In a second we are heading directly at the tire wall that prevents us from entering the GP circuit. But then, a flick of the wheel, a lot of throttle and we are off in a new direction as the tires scream in pained anger at the pavement. Faster, faster, hard left as we tear down to Hatzenbach. The first test of courage is right here. Ultra fast double bend to the right in 4th gear, down hill off camber with bumps all over the place. We continue down to Hocheichen, swerving left, right, left, down, left. The engine is bellowing like Alocer himself has been reincarnated within the Eiffel mountains. This demon thrusts us forward like I have never moved before. Uphill and fast toward the Flugplatz. Despite the immense downforce we launch skyward, if only briefly as we scream over the crest at Flugplatz. Airborne, in a GT3 RS on the Nordschliefe.

That was the first mile of one 13 mile-lap. I leave the rest of the grand journey to your imagination, but sweet Jesus that car is fast!

Guten Abend

 

pics of the whole day tomorrow. Maybe some video in the future of my laps, but I did not try to mount my camera in anyone else's car.

 

as i mentioned on elise talk.."
bleu..
you should start writing books for gm , ford and chrysler...they will sale more cars...lol"

 

I'd be happy to write for them, if they'd make better cars!!



The corvette is exactly what I'm talking about.

BTW, there is a big debate right now about the GT-R's time on the ring. I talked to Dale and Ron at RSR. They are the company that Nissan hired to give laps in the GT-R to costumers at the GP Circuit. Ron has over 1400 laps on the ring this year. They have no doubt that the car will do that time, perhaps even faster with a more experienced Ring driver.

They also admit, there is no reason it should be that fast at 500 hp and 2 tons. But the brakes, and adaptive suspension are apparently much better than anything Porsche has put out. Very interesting. I'm just passing on a point of view from the paddock of the Nurburgring. I thought you all might like to hear their point of view.

GT-R isn't my sort of thing (nor is the Corvette) but it is apparently the real deal.

Now, my question is, what's Porsche gonna do next?

 

There is nothing wrong with Helmet head!



Thanks for a wonderful lap Darren!

 

Uploading video to youtube now. It should be done in the AM. I'll post it up here when done.

I have loads of video from the day, but I decided to use one of my last laps.

I'm open to comments on my driving as always. Love to learn from others.

The car was of course the Renault. Next year I'm not sure what I'll drive. Probably depends on if I have time in the Porsche. Planning on spending a few days at the track next time. It's worth it. Lots of different cars available for rent.

 

YouTube - Nurburgring Trip 2008

 

Hey!, Trev, Did you get 'er out of second gear?

Kidding aside it's a good video. It continues to disappoint me how everyone's videos can't do justice to the elevation changes, because some are quite dramatic.

Looks like you pretty much had the track to yourself. What little traffic you encountered got out of your way quickly.

 

I was never below third gear!



It took about 10:30 to get around by the end of the day. A guy I knew who kept talking about his driving experience drove a GT3 a week before and it took him "9:53". Who knows how comparable that is, but my grin factor was sure high.

The CLio was a little slow, but the right car for the job that day. Next year I plan on doing a few days back to back. Move up cars a little bit.