Page 1 of 1

Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 12:18 pm
by Mr Kleen
Flickr photo set from today's trip.

Photo of my second lap from a random 'Ring photographer.

I can see how this could be addicting... I've ridden along twice, once in a race-preped Suzuki Swift and once in a 1M, but today I actually drove two laps. I was a little nervous: there was some construction and drivers of unknown providence. The construction turned out to be well marked and only affected a small area. The first lap at 09:00 was nearly deserted. One corner caught me out and I ended up on the high-curbing but not a complete off. The second lap I started behind a VW minivan that wouldn't let me by for several turns. I gave a 911 the pass and then the VW did as well. But did he give ME a pass? :banghead: So I found a small straight and took it when he moved over. He didn't give a signal but I made a command decision. My friends Derek and Jenn rode along on both laps and were fantastic passengers. Jenn didn't throw up on the back seat once! :lol: Jenn noticed that the driver of one of the cars I passed on the second lap was holding his cell phone like he was recording his lap WHILE DRIVING. :ugh: After those two experiences I decided to call it a day.

Random thoughts:
This track is crazy fast
This track is CRAZY
I can't imagine it in a race car especially for an entire endurance race!
It's very rough in several sections like a public road, not a "true" racetrack
The carousel is mental
I can see how someone could get addicted to this
My next dream is to go out on a warm, dry, deserted track with an instructor
Nürburgring truly is Mecca for car fanatics, you must make a pilgrimage at least once

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:57 pm
by ElZorro
Sounds like a great day man. :) Congrats!

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:58 pm
by complacent
On the list brother, on the list...

Really stoked for you man. Really glad you had such an awesome experience.

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 12:53 pm
by Mr Kleen
Coolest thing I've done so far.

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 2:31 pm
by Mr Kleen
44355.jpg
This photographer is kind enough to let you download this resolution free for personal use, no watermark. I might buy the hi-res version just to say "thanks."

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:16 pm
by Sabre
So freaking cool man! Sounds like it was truly one of those bucket list items! That car looks great out there too! Freaking Minivan, I hope you gave him a nice honk on the way by!

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:10 am
by captainslow
That's freaking awesome!!!
Love the pics. Just curious, what was your top speed?

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:28 am
by zaxrex
Nice thing about Germany - horns are really only used in an emergency to warn of danger. Or weddings and football wins.
Happy for you, Gabe. Glad you got out there without too much traffic.
Some of those sections really are painful to go over. Do it on race spec shocks and I swear teeth fall out.
I have always thought this graphic (full rez) puts things into perspective.
Image

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:31 pm
by Mr Kleen
Blixa wrote:Just curious, what was your top speed?
The only time I looked down (the long strait at the start/finish) I hit 120mph. Honestly I drove faster than that on the autobahn on the way there. We left early on a Friday morning so there wasn't much traffic for most of the drive. I may have gotten close to that speed at Fuchsröhre but there's no way I was looking down in that section.
The DSG transmission doesn't make it easy to estimate as I really have no idea what gear I'm in at any given time, I just shift up or down when needed. The second lap I only did about 100mph on the final strait because you have to pull off to go back through the toll gate and I really just wanted to let the brakes cool down.
And no, I did not pay attention to my "time." :mrgreen:


So far I'm very happy with the BMW:
I was able to drive there, 2 laps, around town, and back home on a single tank of gas
The oil temp never got above 255 (250 is as hot as I've ever seen in otherwise)
The new pads had zero fade, and I used them A LOT
The adjustable seat bolsters were fantastic, but I think I need to order a CG-Lock for the back seat passenger :lol:

[more] random thoughts:
One of these days I might rent one of their GoPro's (they won't allow you to bring your own video camera) :x
Maybe I should get a track mapping app...
I wish I had a HUD for DSG gear and RPM

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:56 pm
by Sabre
Mr Kleen wrote: One of these days I might rent one of their GoPro's (they won't allow you to bring your own video camera) :x
That's ridiculous!

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:43 pm
by zaxrex
Not any more ridiculous than other mandates that are on the books.
This one just costs less.

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 2:37 pm
by Mr Kleen
zaxrex wrote:Not any more ridiculous than other mandates that are on the books.
This one just costs less.
:plusone: :notcool:
http://savethering.org/

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:02 am
by Mr Kleen
Video recording at the 'Ring during Tourist Drives:
You can bring your own GoPro for the entire day for 20 euro.
Only GoPro cameras (they rent them as well).
Camera must be inside the vehicle.
They get to review all footage for accidents.

A small group of 1addicts.com people got together and did a few laps last Sunday. One of the guys got the scoop on using a camera so I thought I'd post the details. Next time I go I'm taking mine with me.

Here are a couple pix of Nina with the new wheels:
62228-3d9cff257706974af370fe10ea7e8baf.jpg
62229-b6c3896567fe4ca0967113d732eb2f2f.jpg
63000-161037d9ea4a692df2062d7efa5601cf.jpg
IMG_2764.jpg

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:56 am
by Sabre
Looking great!!!!

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 12:22 pm
by zaxrex
Is running with the sun roof popped the same as wearing pastel polo shirts with the collars popped? Nah besides, Gabe makes it look cool.

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:19 pm
by Mr Kleen
zaxrex wrote:Is running with the sun roof popped the same as wearing pastel polo shirts with the collars popped? Nah besides, Gabe makes it look cool.
It was misting rain but too warm to run with the windows up. :wink:

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 4:13 pm
by Mr Kleen
Toured Manheart Racing and then spent the afternoon at the 'Ring. Manheart had some AMAZING cars in their shop and were great hosts. The weather was perfect for an afternoon at the 'Ring. Today was a good day. :mrgreen:

Nürburgring parking lot panorama
"it's a BMW world" panorama

BMWtown.jpg

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 9:32 am
by zaxrex
You didn't happen to come across a wayward classic Porsche, did you?

Re: Finally drove Nürburgring today

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:28 am
by Mr Kleen
I wish. €15,000 would seriously pimp the 135.