ScoobyNet.com - Subaru Enthusiast Forum - Nurburgring trip report.

Its been a while since i've posted on here, hello all :D :D another of my ring trip reports.

Gary.......

The three weeks in Portugal trip ........
Saturday
Uncle Benz collected Gary at 5.45am from near his brothers house in Chatham.
Catching up with Leavingeasy and Simon with the Passat towing his Caterham in Dover. It was funny seeing the Caterham being towed by the VW while Gary Gareth and Jimmy drove in the luxury of the Mercedes ML ;)
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A nice steady trip down, Gareth (Uncle Benz) taking every opportunity to tell Gary and Jimmy about his 3 week trip to Portugal :whistle:
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An easy trip and straight to Adenau to collect the pug. SteveW’s clio was sat outside the garage obviously waiting to be collected and used in anger.
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Arno appeared to be having a party in his office come bar, the only thing he didn’t have turned on was the disco lights. He did put the smoke machine on though and insisted the guys stop for a quick beer. Arno was already half drunk and therefore unable to discuss the most recent 205 bill :whistle:
Back to the ring haus where the weary looking passengers of the passat had just arrived.
There was time to have a look at the Castrol cup race which was going on in the afternoon. The guys drove to Hatzenbach and managed to see the top of a white car on the track as they got out of their cars. That was the only car they saw, the race had just finished. Great project management
Ross and Gemma arrived in their nicely prepared VR6, more about them in a while.
Uncle Benz discussed his Portugal trip :whistle:
Up to the track to wait and wait and wait for it to open. As is usual with evening opening after a race day the time to get the carnage off the circuit took longer than expected. The track finally opened at around 6.20 and the usual scrabble to get on-track occurred.
Gary managed 2 dry laps before the track closed at 6.50pm. With the weather being as unpredictable as it had been the thought was that they would probably be the only dry laps of the weekend.
Back to the Ring Haus to test a beer, as it appeared to be nice, a few more were sampled. Leavingeasy had managed 2 full laps, almost a new Nick record. His times clearly showing that the Caterham was capable of managing a sub 8 minute lap
Uncle Benz discussed his Portugal trip :whistle:
Ross discussed his first lap in the VR6 and how an E30 beemer (clutter :whistle: ) drifted into him at Brunchen damaging his front wheel and wing slightly. After a chat in the car park the two drivers decided to walk away on a knock for knock basis. Uncle Benz and Gary discussed with Ross and Gemma how a roll cage should be Ross’s next modification before he did anything else to the VR6. That will be more relevant later in this report.
The rest of the stag party arrived in their cars. A new Aston, a very nice 993 and a Boxter S.
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Everyone went down to the Pistenklause for a well deserved meal and plenty of chat. They were joined by Ian Howel fellow Northloop member. Perhaps leavingeasy will tell everyone about his red Capri with furry dashboard? :jerk:
Patrizio insisted that Gary put a signed picture of the 205 on his wall of fame. As a stroke of luck Gary had a signed framed photo with him so it was easy to sort out :lol:
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Uncle Benz discussed his Portugal trip :lol: and the night ended around 1am
SUNDAY
Gary was up early and nipped to T13 to take a few pictures of the track prior to it opening and breakfast. This proved to be just about far enough away from the Ring Haus not to be able to hear Jimmy’s snoring <_< :thumb:
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Up to the track for the 9am opening. The first lap was Gary in the 205 being followed closely by Leavingeasy in the Caterham. Despite the completely dry conditions the track was a little slippery. Further into the lap the early morning dew and very low sun made conditions both slipperly and visibility almost impossible in parts. The guys decided to give it an hour before going back out.
Gary caught up with Ross in the car park who was looking at a very sorry VR6. Gemma explained that the car had ventured onto the grass early in the lap causing Ross to take it steady, as he put it. He was however caught out again :o this time not being so lucky. A couple of marks to the VR6 including a broken front light and damaged alloy. It could have been much worse. Luckily he missed the expensive Armco choosing to touch a wall instead :blink:
Gary and Simon went up to T13 to take a few pictures. Later Gary, Uncle Benz and Jimmy went up to Flugplatz to take more pictures.
Back to the car park for a few nice dry laps, Leavingeasy’s Caterham was still going although by now in need of a clutch.
Plenty of time to chat in and around the car-park with Weeman, Ian Howell, SteveW, Dave can’t drive, Juan Rachel , Johannes and a few more besides.
A couple of long closures for nasty incidents. It was hard to sit and listen to people wandering by saying ‘’I wonder when it will open again, wish they would hurry up’’ when a closure often means someone is hurt and receiving medical attention.
A chat with Ross confirmed that the wheel was knackered on the VR6 and without a spare :( he was unable to get home. Uncle Benz and Gary went on the hunt with Ross and Gemma and luckily found a wheel which would be good enough to get him home in the local scrap yard. A lesson to be learnt for all about not carrying a spare :nono:
Uncle Benz also tinkered with Ian’s Nissan 200 keeping his clutch alive long enough for a few laps and the journey home.
The last closure of the day was a long one giving Uncle Benz and Gary time to wander round the car park looking at E30’s and discuss ideas for Gary’s new toy.
The closures meant the amount of time on track during the day was short, however traffic was light with only a handful of bikes to be seen.
A lap in the passenger seat of the ML with Gareth driving and Jimmy in the back. Gary reported that it was one of the funniest laps he had ever done. The ML simply blitzed the track, rather than clip the curbs it nailed every one. Brilliant fun.
Back to the Ring Haus for a quick beer before going to Adenau for a Chinese meal. The guys and gals were joined by Ian, Juan and Rachel. As usual the food was great with plenty of banter around the table.
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As the guys landed back at the ring haus to carry on the festivities Frank was just closing up so they had to wander to the Pistenklause. A final beer and review of the weekend’s photo’s and it was time to call it a day.
The drive home in the Merc ML was a comical one, with loads of banter. The Gary comment of ‘’I like my fish BONED’’ one of many which caused amusement. Perhaps you had to be there :lol: :lol:
Back home for 5.45pm Gary’s last driving trip of the year, he will be returning with Emma and Charley for Crimbo though.