Ring trip report 22-26th June
 

I thought some of you might be interested in my latest report.

It’s a family affair
Friday.

A nice early start as usual.

Rob and Deb decided they wanted to fly so Lee and Laura (Debs son and girlfriend) were asked to drive the M3 over. Meeting at Gary’s house at 4.45am they were on their way. The first stop was Gary’s brother’s house to collect Simon who had made his way as far as there. Rob and Deb passed them on the way to the airport. The weather was pretty awful for the whole drive.
Down to Dover for the 8am crossing with Norfolk line. As usual they didn’t disappoint other than the fact that as usual there were no knives on the boat. Even though they were some of the first to get their food as had happened previously people were sat eating their breakfasts using forks and spoons. The drag from the ferry terminal to the motorway took a fair bit of time and Gary vowed not to use Norfolk line the next time he booked a trip.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8072.jpg

A fairly quick and easy drive with not much traffic.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8075.jpg
Nicks double was seen on the way

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8077.jpg
Another car the guys recognised was seen on the way too
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8078.jpg
On passing Ververies a large traffic jam held them up for a while. When they got to the front they could see exactly why this was. A section of the Armco around 40 metres long was missing from a road bridge at the bottom of a steep hill. On passing the commotion the road passing under the bridge could be seen. Blue lights everywhere and people rushing here and there. Whatever had gone over the bridge had obviously landed badly on the road below. Not a nice site.

A while later the guys arrived at the apartments where Rob, Deb and Nick had already turned up. There was a car test going on within a couple of hundred yards and the first chance to have a good look at the Audi R8 – Gary decided he still didn’t like it

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8081.jpg
The guys nipped to Winbach to collect Simon and Gary’s cars. On the way back there was a bit of a traffic jam.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8084.jpg
Once at the apartments there was time to look at Rob and Nicks hire cars. Robs was a cracker, shame he couldn’t work out how to take the roof off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8087.jpg
Nicks was a little more grown up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8152.jpg
Up to the track for around 5pm. The weather was dry but looked like changing so it was time to get a few laps before the rain came. Gary managed 3 in the dry before the downpour started. He then managed another 4 in the wet. On the first lap he hooked up with a local Opel kadett who helped him immensely by showing him the wet lines. This consisted of driving right round the outside of the bends and staying well away from the apex’s. It didn’t feel right to start with but there was more grip and therefore it was quicker.
Bren, Dale, Maddog and plenty of others were around so there was time for a chat and to shelter from the rain in the back of the transit.
Nick had a clutch cable issue but due to a stroke of luck a local Caterham racer brought him a new one meaning he would be ready to lap again in the morning.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8162.jpg
When the track closed at 7.30pm it was back to the room for a well deserved beer. Rather than going out for the evening everyone decided to eat in the hotel for simplicity purposes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8105.jpg
Simon wore a different tee short for a change. Either that or he had dyed the other one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8114.jpg
A few more beers and it was time for a kip.

Saturday

Gary was up at 6.45am and out wandering round with Charley.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8147.jpg

By 8am the dry weather was being replaced by the first rain of the day. Up at the track it was no different so a couple of wet laps were once again in order. Pooky and Davecantdrive were about.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8157.jpg
This guy had two Yorkshire puddings on the side of his face

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8156.jpg
Gary took James (handpaper) for a couple of laps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8445.jpg

These guys turned up, uploaded their cars, started doing their drivers briefing before being told they wouldn’t be allowed on track so they had to load back up and be on their merry way.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8163.jpg
After a few wet and dry laps lunch was had in Adenau. The baby sitters were doing a grand job on their first visit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8167.jpg
A few pictures at Breidscheide
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8251.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8263.jpg
Thorleif was in the neighbourhood

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8267.jpg
Then it was time to go back to the track and get a few more laps in. These guys were managing a solid 10mph up the hill toward the track

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8268.jpg
This little beauty was on the scene
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8270.jpg

A few more laps and the car park was getting fuller. Gary and Nick shared a space, come on back, further, further, further, come on, come on STOOOOOOOOOOP

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8273.jpg
Josh’s attitude hadn’t changed

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8274.jpg
A still working Caterham, with Andy looking very dapper

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8281.jpg
Graeme and the guys and gals from Jock land were in attendance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8282.jpg

Gary took Oggy out for a dry lap in the 205. Once he had regained his composure he was able to tell his friends how much he enjoyed it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8306.jpg
Gary and Simon nipped to Pflanzgarten to take a few pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8302.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8313.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8316.jpg
Dave had arrived too
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8332.jpg
On to Brunchen with Simon looking very camp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8376.jpg
Some interesting parking was to be seen
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8393.jpg
Gary took Pooky (Dave) for a passenger lap, all was well until the final third of the lap where the car felt very unsettled. Gary put it down to him doing 4 laps on the bounce and over hot tyres. He decided enough was enough and headed back to the room at around 7pm.

A meal was arranged at the Chinese in Adenau. The cast list consisted of all those staying At the apartments plus Ed, Eds friend (the guy who did 54 laps in ONE day), Thorleif, Steve G, Jochen, Pooky etc etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8415.jpg
There was some kind of festival going on in town. It appeared to be just another reason for the Germans to get very drunk.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8417.jpg
Sunday
Gary and Josh were up early to get to the track for 8am. Gary checked his car after the issue the night before. The passenger front wheel showed signs of grease so Gary took the car to Olly to see what the issue was. Once up in the air the drive shaft oil seal was seen to be split hence the grease on the wheel and brakes. That was game over for the 205 for the weekend.

Gary and Josh went to Hatzenbach to take a few pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8429.jpg
This car marked as a GT2 RS came by
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8542.jpg
Back in the car park Josh took his life in his hands and went out with ‘’Nicky long legs’’ as he called him. Josh said it was fun but felt so slow he thought he might have to pedal to make it more exciting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8551.jpg
One of Britains finest came and parked next to Gary. After chat Gary went for a passenger lap. He wondered if he might rue the fact that he wasn’t an ADAC member.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8554.jpg
Lady luck was shining and he made the full lap. The TVR proved to be pretty impressive with good acceleration and the ability to go round corners too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8557.jpg
Gary took a stroll to quidellbach to take some more pictures.
Rob and Thorleif playing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8590.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8629.jpg
Time for lunch at Breidscheid.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8683.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8678.jpg
Rob went to Karls to watch the moto gp, the girls went to Brunchen and Gary walked up to Weirsheifen to take yet more pics
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8700.jpg
The ring taxi past once saw Gary and from that point on put on a show with every pass.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8708.jpg
The R8 was there, still ugly
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8715.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8764.jpg

Bad Roo was just toooooo fast to catch on camera
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8768.jpg

More taxi fun
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8815.jpg

The viper had a crack at drifting too
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8889.jpg
ONNO joined in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_8962.jpg
Gary had a call from Rob saying that he was going to have a look at Karl’s wet hole so Gary made the epic 300 yard journey to have a look himself
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9016.jpg
Gary had a passenger lap with Thorleif. The CSL went well even on road tyres.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9019.jpg
Late in the day Gary had a look at Gallgenkopf
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9044.jpg
An old friend made an appearance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9084.jpg
BadRoo
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9090.jpg

Gary mucked about with the settings and quite liked this one of Maddog.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9163.jpg

The Pistenklause was the venue for the evening meal. The guys were joined by a few old faces again.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9314.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9318.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9325.jpg
Charley held court as usual
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9331.jpg
Back at the apartment everyone went to bed except Gary, Emma and Laura who stayed up to get totally pissed. They managed it quite nicely
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9377.jpg

In the morning it was off to Cochem for a wander round. Rob wanted to order this off the menu but Deb wouldn’t let him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9435.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9440.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9434.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9449.jpg



Then a drive to the Rodelbahn. It was closed though probably due to the weather
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...7/IMG_9452.jpg

Back at the ring there was time for a couple of hours driving, Gary managed 5 laps in the Mondeo.
A quiet meal in the apartments ready for the early drive home in the morning

Monday.
12 hours door to door, HORRIBLE

A great long weekend

Good write up! :) I'd love to make that trip someday. Don't agree with you on the R8 though ;)

Great Write up Gary:thumb: you will have to take me soon;)

Excellent write up & pic's .


:)

Superb write up mate im going 6-9th July i cant wait second time of going first time with car.

Your write up has got me smiling i really cant wait :norty: :norty: :norty:

Nice summary Gary,i hope we are going to get a similar write up on the 13th July ;)

Good pics, i hope to make the pilgrimmage again next year, 1st time was at the end of April this year.
Only did 9 laps over the 2 days though.

Heh, nice one - we were there that weekend too (the red e60 M5 and blue S2000)

Shame about the Scottish lads rolling their Clio 172 at Wipperman - written off.

even more inspiration for me to make the trip for my stag doo, eventually.

A guy I know lost his life out there yesterday and a good friend broke his leg ...........

Not a good day

Fantastic write up, but sorry to hear about the bad news today.

Wasn't there a biker killed on the Friday (22nd) ?

It was my first visit and I couldn't get over the number of Ambulances zooming past our hotel in Adenauer

That multicoloured M3 CSL (photo above) locked up sideways behind me heading down to the Adenauer bridge.

Somone mentioned 72 people lost their lives last year at the Ring.

At first, I assumed this figure was wrong, but a biker lost his life when I was there and Gutmann's just mentioned another - so I'm starting to believe it.

Some cracking pics of what was otherwise a good time.

Sorry to hear about the bikers too mate... MADDOG called me today :(

Thoughts go out to their family and friends :(

wow, looks like fun.. :)
gotta go again too..

regards
the swissy who once spoke to you in the Zufahrt Nordschleife parking lot ;)

[quote=spectrum48k;7061958]Somone mentioned 72 people lost their lives last year at the Ring.

quote]

That is ****e :nono:

I am not aware of a death on 22nd either.

Deaths are generally VERY few and far between.

great read!

You know it's a real shame you look such a bunch of chavs. You might fit in better otherwise.

:D :D :D

[QUOTE=Gutmann pug;7062356]thought so