Gutmann pug

Northloop and Ringweekends do the Nurburgring 24hr…….
　
Or - Darren we appear to have Broken them
　
Or - This is all inclusive isn’t it.
　
Or - I haven’t come to watch the racing, but to catch up on some sleep.



It all started at 4.45am on Thursday when Jim announced his arrival at my house by driving the M5 down the road on full reheat. Luggage transferred we were on our way. A couple of hours later and the mighty battle wagon had me, Darren, Ian Pye, Martin and Jim at Dover and on the boat. After queuing for a while with poor people we decided that Langans was the way forward and off we went.

Langans, what a lovely venue for breakfast, although Martin decided the trip was all inclusive and walked out without paying. If ever there was a way to find a name for yourself with people you have just met, Martin had just found it.


Off the ferry and an uneventful drive saw us arriving at the hotel early afternoon. Perfect. Terence and Chris were already there, Dan and Mark arrived shortly after too.
Someone found a matchbox car to look at


Everyone in and settled and we nipped to Hatzenbach to watch some of the classics and to see what and who was about.
There were some VERY nice cars out and about. Something like 100 classics being driven very hard indeed


Oakie Gareth Helen and Jimmy were on the scene by now too.
　
　
　

This guy had clearly started drinking early. Sometime around 1986 me thinks.

For some strange reasons this is one of my favourite pictures of the trip.

This one is pretty good too.

With the weather starting to look like it was going to change we decided the Comfy Corner was the best place for us.
Another great evening with numerous members on the scene. To name a few Karl, Bren, Welly, Sim, Sonja, Claire, Suz, Torleif, Espen, etc etc.
Jorg did us proud as usual. As with all trips all intentions of a quiet first night went out of the window within about 5 minutes.
Some of the guys nipped out to watch the big boys qualifying, the rest remained to drink more beer. At around 2am we called it a night.









　
　
　
Friday
Up nice and early along with Terence and Martin we decided to nip to the GP track and see what was about while the others had a lie in.
Quick and easy parking plus the free bus in and we were wandering around the paddock within 15 minutes. There was plenty to look at.






The infamous TVR tunnel was found

　
Back to the Burgstube Chris was having a wash while trying to breathe. Ian was blamed as he had just let the otters out.

With everyone up and about it was time to nip to the GP track again with the rest of the guys. Ian had arrived on the scene and joined us.
Oakie was back to his old habits


With these getting ready to go out we went to the Merc stand to watch





Another bonnet pin drama at the ring

There were 3 of these there and they sounded like nothing on earth

Rollercoaster anyone….. Anyone fancy trying it now?

With the big boys due to come out soon we went for a wander round the track. The groups were starting to grew and the party atmosphere growing.


It’s hard to describe what you see round the viewing points. The devil is in the detail and these guys go to great lengths to make sure they are unique in what they bring with them. You can imagine all this kit parked up for 51 weeks of the year just waiting for 24hr week.



Toilet anyone

Thee weather was perfect, probably about 26 degrees, although Oakie insisted on wearing his coat. Anyone under 40 degrees is the start of the next Ice Age as far as he’s concerned.

Spot the Englishman abroad


　
The big boys came out to Qualify

Ian struck a very similar pose for the weekend and slept through it

Back to the Burgstube again and it was time for a wander down to the GP track to buy some tee shirts and the like

This guy had blown the froth off a wee beer or two

Oakie decided that having borrowed money from everyone in the group he should probably draw a few Euros out

With Nigel, Ian, Simon and Floyd in tow we enjoyed the stroll in the sunshine. Other than the fact that the merchandise area consisted of a man trying to sell hooky watches and his dog called Albert
On the way back Chris and I continued out theme of buying a beer at every beer sellers stall.
This guy had obviously tried the same, but he bought a 6 pack at each one. Here we see him stood in the middle of the main road repelling the traffic with his hands.

A quick photo and it was back to the Burgstube and time for our evening meal

A great show from the Burgstube especially considering the swelling numbers of the group. Tom, his dad Nick, the lotus guys and loads of others were round and about.




Having consumed another 35 gallons of beer by 2am I thought it was probably time for bed. Having slept in the kitchen the night before I thought I would try a bed this time.
　
Saturday
Awake at 8am I started considering what kind of hang over I was looking at. My tried and badly tested method is to think about beer. If that doesn’t make me want to throw up I move on a step by consuming another beer.
The others woke up and groaned a lot. It’s 24hr race day, up and at um….

Out and about and we are ready to go take a look see. Darren surfaced just as we were going out. Ummmm and then while chatting his door closed itself leaving him in his budgie catchers and no key. Did we help him? Did we hell

Down to Adenau the battle bus braved the drive up to Adenauer Forst. The Classic race was just about to start so we found ourselves a position to watch the fun. I spied a scaffold camera point. I decided to chance my arm and asked the German owner if it was ok for me to come up and take some pics. He was more than happy to agree and up I went.


Some stunning cars being driven at 10/10ths. Brilliant stuff and the sound was amazing, especially from the BMW M1s
Back to the Burgstube just in time to get ourselves up to the helicopter take off point ready for the circuit trip. Plenty of nervous faces around and as usual Weeman was living up to his name.

A nod of approval from Oakie the pilot when the Helicopter came into view. It looked bigger and better than the others in the area.
Mathias brought it into land


　
The first 10 were then taken to the aircraft strapped in and taken on their ride.

When the second lot with the fatties in it were taken for their ride we decided to drink their beer.

At the end everyone was happy they had taken the opportunity to enjoy the flight. It’s not often you get to go in a helicopter around the circuit and more so with a 100 classic racers on track at the time.



Back to the Burgstube with the time around 2pm it was time to get ready for the main event. Bags were packed with beer, sun tan lotion applied, combat 24 pocket trousers put on. And we were off to Hatzenbach to watch the start.
Much busier again there were plenty of comedy sights to see.
These guys had the right idea

The beer started to flow



Before the race starts the cars do a slow procession lap. This is a great photo opportunity and the chance to get down on the track and see the cars at close quarters. Terence took his Oz flag and did just that.









I took a stroll to T13 to see what was about. Loads more fun and interesting sights and sounds.




　
An early picture of the Manta. Glad I got one, as in true Oakie style it didn’t last long

We found Pye’s friend ( Clique joke)

These guys were playing games


Don’t ask me why, but this is my favourite picture from the weekend

Oakie had his survival pack

The camera man got bored

The best set up we saw, complete with fence and a working door bell

Without realising it we had gotten very hungry, drinking through lunch, so we decided to go to Adenau to take some more pics and have something to eat.
We went for a pizza and on the way there I felt a trouser problem occurring. On arrival the Pizza place I legged it into the toilet and while sorting things out sent jim this text
‘’ Think I got away with it, one small pebble and a clean break. Order me a pizza, best not make it a spicy one, don’t want a repeat of this issue’’
When I went to the table I got a message sent text - which I thought strange. Then I realised I had sent it to Jim’s home number. It got worse though when Jim said Jude wasn’t there and his Mother in law was. Er ok, so she just got a strange text read to her in a monotone voice………
Pizza consumed, more beer purchased from the Aral and we were off to watch again. Pitch black now the opportunities for pics were good.

After doing this one, we though hmmmm I wonder

And a while later we created this. No photoshop required, just a long exposure and Jim with a small torch. Very pleased with the result

　
At around 3am Chris stated ‘’Ok I’ve had enough of this, I could sit on a bridge of the autobahn and see this’’ I think perhaps he was a little tired and drunk. The others agreed and we took them back to the hotel. That left Darren, Martin and I to go to Pflantzgarten and Brunchen for more beer and viewing.
At close to 5am I said to Darren that I was done in and it was time to go to bed. On the way back Darren said he was going to the GP circuit to watch the sun rise. That was it, I couldn’t let it pass, Martin and I said we would go along too. An extra couple of hours and after more pics it was time to turn in.


The trouble was when I got to the room I found my bed had been moved out onto the balcony. Too tired to move it I got under the duvet and went to sleep. An hour and a half later I woke to feel my head burning. The sun had come up and was beating down on me. Why didn’t I think to put my suntan cream on before I went to bed?

After 2 hours sleep I was up again and in for breaky

Back to Brunchen and Wipperman for more pics




Another bloody hot day we decided to nip back to the hotel cool down before going to the GP circuit to watch the finish.



We found a place easy enough in the grandstand on the main straight and watched the Manthey Porsche come in first. Funnily enough it was quite emotional watching the cars come in, EVERYONE who completed the race was treated like a hero and rightly so. 24hrs of watching was hard enough, let along driving.


With the race over we wandered through the pit lane seeing the emotion for the teams before heading out onto the track for a few pics.





There might have been an extra picture or two floating around but they might need editing before they get posted anywhere - hahahahahaha
Back to the hotel and it was time to chill and cool down.
A couple of hours later it was beer O’clock again and we are down the Lindenhof for a meal. Here Major Cameron and group captain Oak treated us to stupidity of the highest order. It made me laugh so much my throat hurt in the morning.
Monday
Up and away for 8.30am meaning I was home in Andover around 4pm. Very tired but a happy bunny.
What a brilliant weekend. This is something we will be repeating next year, so if you like the sound of it start thinking now as you will be more than welcome to join us.
A few credits.
Jorg - Brilliant meal and hospitality as usual
Martin - Again lovely food, excellent rooms and for generally looking after us.
Sonja / Michaela - For taking time out to come and socialise with us.
Mathias - For the great Jellywopter trip - next year I’m going on it for sure.
Everyone else - For being there and making it a special weekend.

WRX_Dazza

Fantastic write up and amazing pictures as usual.

Thanks for sharing the experience. I feel like i was there as well now lol.

Looked like you all had a fantastic time,

Good work

Gutmann pug

Come along next year and you will be there

FlightMan

Great write up and pics, thanks for sharing!