Back from the ring and still alive!

[karl Rowntree]

Well as it says above, all of our group our now back from the nurburgring, alive but with a few minor incidents.

Will keep the write up short for now because my head still isnt too good after the lack of sleep and german lager :drinking:

Was an amazing turn out, with approx 40 people making the journey over. Everyone pretty much broke up in to groups as we where all staying in different hotels. As a result i didnt really get to see everyone else as much as i would of liked, but we managed to fit an amazing amount into a short space. Hope you all enjoyed your selfs? :wink:

We lost one car in our group to a crash, which didnt happen on the ring! We had just been karting, jumped in our cars drove about a mile down the road and unfortunately whist driving off a slip road, jays brand new type R span and hit the armco! It did a fair amount of damage, but we managed zip tie the front end back on and he was out on the ring that same evening!!! :wink: Top lad Jay, must people would of gone home crying.

Keith wins the F*** YEAH! award for holding a large amount of sick in for minutes, and then making it to the toilet. Even though it did spray out of his hand into our drinks :o Brilliant Keith, you made my weekend with the entertainment.

As for the track, everyone had a great time with a few hairy moments. I will let everyone speak for them self on this one. I managed 10 laps, with my fastest lap being a 9.29 and that was with traffic :D . I managed to get a new found confidence after going out in Neils Calibra, top driver that lad was my most fun passenger ride of the weekend.

Quickest on the weekend was lee hearsey at 9.04 i believe, and Mark beason at 9.10. Both amazing times from a nova, but damn it was scary being a passenger. Beasties nova turbo went past the ring taxi on the straight :o

Anyway, an amazing time. Made loads of new mates and i am allready planning to get back out the asap. Will post up more when i can remember what the hell happended :lol:

Karl

[boredbloke]

glad to hear u had a good time mate

whats that lap speed wise? (av all the way around?)

9.04 thas dam fast in a nova!

daft question but how close is the track layout to that on gt4?

[Adam]

daft question but how close is the track layout to that on gt4?
:lol:
I have heard its pretty close :wink:

Glad you had a great time mate :)

[Adam Moran]

Great news Karl :wink:

I'll shall be with you next year! I've changed my meetings and an event i'm organising next year so i can come along :lol:

[Dar]

I was there :D Seen your car but didn't manage to catch you around it to have a chat. I've decided to take my Nova next time. Its a top place.

I was in this thing
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03424.jpg

[karl Rowntree]

GT will only give you a basic idea of where the track goes, though i have to say just that alone saves you alot of time learning.

It gives NO impression of the gradient changes and cambers of the track, and you try going flat at a blind crest in real life. I could only do it on one bend towards the end of the lap, and that was a real buzz.

As for average speed, couldnt really tell you. Though i was in third and forth mainly in the evo, mostly at 80 mph and the highest speed was about 130 mph. Must add i had my own ring taxi, as everytime i went out i was either 3/4 up :lol: Awesome car, just wish i had had the nerve to drive it really fast..

Adam, i dont think we will being making just the one journey next year mate. I for one will be going once a month hopefully.

Karl

[karl Rowntree]

Hi DAR, tryed to catch up with you every time i saw the escort but it vanished!

Hope you had fun mate, how did you get on round the track?

[Jim]

I've heard a little rumour about Keith but I won't say anything until he comes on here.

Dont panic, it's a good rumour and not sexual for you perverted people out there, lol.

Glad you had a good time Karl.

Jim

[NickWalliams]

Alright karl mate,

Glad to hear that everyone made it back ok!

I had an amazing weekend, driving round the nurburgring is just awesome! Seen some awesome cars out there too, especially the novas that were there! :D

Cant wait to get back to the ring next year but plan to be in a more track worthy car! wish I had changed my tyres to some that wouldnt scrub like fcuk and melt!

Highlight of my weekend was getting overtaken by a Porsche Carrera GT, got it all on video camera too. :o

Oh yeah and seeing Keith spew that litre of german beer everywhere! Got to be carefull with that stuff it's rocket fuel.

The only other mishap I experienced was getting lost in the middle of Koln thought I was never going to get out of that city, was gonna start looking for a job there! :lol:

Hope to see you all at the Performance show in a few weeks!

Nick.

[Dar]

Karl - Yeah we got on well. It was a test for the car as much as anything else, and it perfomed better than expected. Which was nice.

We left quite early on sunday to get back to England. Only the Escort was left running out of our lot. Our journey there took us alot longer than expected what with being delayed at the tunnel and getting lost etc. We left at 6am and got there at 12 at night. So we got off early.

noveoclawsk16v - Are you going to get your video hosted on line. I would love to see it. I didn't manage to see the Carrera GT go around the track.

I did mange to catch up with Neil (NovaNeil) for a chat. Which is always good.

[Riggy]

excellent lads sounds like you had a top time

as many people have said i hope i can join you all next year if the xe every gets finished lol


and fuck me 9.04 from a nova very nice :lol:

[NovaBen]

Ay up boys. I made it back in one piece.........just!!! Had many a problem, starting only 100miles from home with a burst top hose! What was meant to be a 3 hour journey to Dover, turned into a 9hour journey and 4 hours sleep!!

I managed a very respectable 9min 39sec lap round the ring, i was aiming for the 10min barrier at a minimum so was happy with the result.

Even though my car was misfiring, manifold gasket blowing, and throwing gearbox oil out at any oppurtunity!! But as they all say, zip ties and duck tape can fix anything!!

Saturday afternoon was VERY hairy on the ring, 3laps in the rain!!! And my god, it was wet. Got a few very tidy sideways moments on camera and its great fun to watch them back.

In total I did 13laps and, like karl, i felt a bit like a taxi, taking people out, 1 at a time, and them being amazed at the way mine stuck like a go-kart!! Its so much fun chasing, and blowing away scoobies and porsches!!

Bring on July when we are planning to go back again!

See you all soon.

Ben :lol:

[NickWalliams]

Hello Dar mate I think i spoke to you briefly when then TV bloke was lookin for someone t fix a coil or somethin?

Anyway I definatly seen the orange MK1, tidy.

I would host it online but I think that would mean buying some software for my PC?

If anyway knows how I can host it please let me know!

Words cant describe how mint he footage is, I was flyin round the track then I look in my mirror to see about 5 sports cars racing behind me then all of a sudden they all slam there indicators on and the GT literally flies past!

:lol:

[boredbloke]

the ring is 13 miles long according to Ben Lovejoys site

so after a quick calculation...

i'm reckoning your av speed was approx 84 miles an hour

the nova that pulled 9.04 was approx 86 miles an hour

Nice! :D

i reckon my car would pull about 12 minutes!! lol! probly still struggle!

[scott.parker]

Nice one lads glad your all ok and got back fine.

Sounds like you all had a ace time,and some fast laps,shame i couldnt be there "again" but must book it in now for next time :D

Scott

[J4MES]

sounds like an amazing time was had by all....really good times for novas there as well...

[krobinson]

Just got home about 5 mins ago, came straight on to hear the goss.

What an amazing time, i've not had a laugh like that in absolutely ages. And i'm gutted i'm still not there. I really want to move out, find a job and lap the ring every night!!

The sick stunt was possibly one of the best stunts i've ever pulled off, a total fluke!! F*CK YEAH!!

Managed 10.45 in the Nova with my totally shit spare 84bhp engine, not bad i thought!

Jim: PM me your rumor, but keep it quiet.. i've also heard a rumor about you ;)

Till next year (or possibly in a few months)

Keith

[MARTIN KELSON]

Hi all,
Sounds like a totally awsome few days, and glad to hear your all back ok with no mishaps around the ring.
Would love to do the ring sometime but sitting in my car for that long dont fill me with excitement and its only doin about 16mpg so be fuel stop every hour!!
Look forward to seeing some pics and vid clips.
Top times to.

[karl Rowntree]

LOL Martin, try 8 tanks of petrol thats what the evo drank! Plus i cant believe Lee managed to drive his all the way over with straight cuts and light weight panels, it really was beyond loud.

Glad to hear you have made it back Keith, fair play to you how many miles did you cover in the end? Look forward to the next drinking session mate. Oh, we must get that web site set up aswell mate :wink:

Nick, was good to meet you and your mates and glad you had a safe enjoyable time mate. Make sure you give me a kick at PV.

Ben, nice times there mate and fair play for keeping your foot in even though you had problems. We where veiwing from the side of the track and your car really did look as though it was handling well. See you soon mate.

Karl

[benji]

Jim: PM me your rumor, but keep it quiet


is this the same rumour i've heard?? about a 19 stone german transvestite???

i also heard that when (s)he found out you had a nova, (s)he asked if you knew a guy called chris who was in the area a few weeks earlier.

[karl Rowntree]

My lips are sealed!

German college girls ring a bell though :o

[Adam Moran]

Oh dear, what have you boys been up too :lol: :lol:

[Adam Moran]

Oh and pics??? i havent seen any pics yet :roll:

[martweaver]

PICS!!!!!! Try a combined effort of 1.2 gigabytes worth. I personally must have taken 500+ photos.

All I can say is - if you haven't been then GO!!, the place is just awesome & I wasn't even driving. It doesn't get much better than spending your days surrounded by Millions of pounds worth of supercars, having a beer and doing laps of the most awesome circuit on earth.

Andy Bish has the whole collection of vids & pics on his laptop so watch this space 8)

Thanks to all the lads that went, I had an excellent time. I'll 2nd Karl on Keiths spewing being the funniest thing I have ever seen.. F*"k YEAH!!!

Mart

[martweaver]

Oh and - Thankyou Karl!!! - he made almost all the arrangements over here and abroad, hotels, resteraunts - the lot!!

Nice on mate!! - excellent job

Mart

[karl Rowntree]

Ay up Mart, you recovered yet? Ive still got a hangover :lol: Went to see Moby live last night and thats well and truly finished me off.

I think we should start the pictures off with Anna and her breast i mean best mate :o

Karl

[martweaver]

I am ok mate - was lucky enough to have yesterday booked off to recover. Got home pretty fast as Jay sat the Type R at 120+ straight up the M6 :o VTEC in 6th anyone!!! Gulp!!

I have some truly awesome pics of us in that bar, will get them from Bish ASAP!!

Mart

[Jack]

Hmm... might have to take the 'four over there next year after i've done some tinkering with it :)

[karl Rowntree]

No worries mate, was a pleasure to sort out.

Been on the lancer register and turns out most of the english guys that were there use the site! I think they found most of the novas very intresting lol.

[benji]

No worries mate, was a pleasure to sort out.

Been on the lancer register and turns out most of the english guys that were there use the site! I think they found most of the novas very intresting lol.

link??

do you still want this dash? it has a slight mark on it where somone attenpted to nick my stereo a while back. but if you want it, its yours.

[shy witness]

it sounds like yous all had a great time.....


lookin 4ward 2 seeing some quality pictures :D :D :D

[karl Rowntree]

Not worth a link to the lancer register benji, nothing to see just abit of banter with pm's.

For photos, try www.circle-driver.de or try www.speedmotopics.de. We were at the ring between 12/5th and 17/5th. Its all in German, but easy to get your head round.

Karl

P.S Benji, yes mate will still have the dash if its going to waste. Got a couple to pick up so will make a good one out of them all. Could you bring it to PV??

[Dar]

Just a few of my piccys from the ring.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03521.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03484.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03463.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03451.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03443.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03437.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v485/DPursey/DSC03424.jpg

[martweaver]

Found a good one - Beasty at full chat!!!

http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=450&max=690

[martweaver]

Total Vauxhall guys
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=552&max=690

Karlos!!
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=579&max=690

Beasty from the rear
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=663&max=690

Yum - Carrera GT
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=642&pic=137&max=228

[NickWalliams]

When was the ferrari there?

Gutted I never got to see it!

[Dar]

The Ferrari was there on Sat afternoon I think. I missed a few cars as well :x ho hum. Next time :twisted:

[NovaNeil]

WOW!!! What a trip!

I had an Awwsome time! Top Cars and Top people + the greatest race track in the world = :D :D :D

Luckily I didn't have any "moments" this year :roll: As last year some of you may remember me stacking my old Nova Turbo into the armco.... lol

This year I was in my Calibra, and I have to say she did surprisingly well... Through the fast parts of the track she was really stable. Then Ben Gunn Took me out in his Awesome little 1.6 8v on Carbs (Red GSi with Grey bumpers and wheels) And boy does he know how to drive the ring!!! It made me remember exactly what I used to love about my old car, and now I can't wait to finish my new one.

Next came Karl, who kindly took me out for 2 laps in his Evo, one warm up early in the morning and one flying.... and I have to say.... Evo's are Seriously cool cars 8) The noise/feel/grip/brakes, everything about it felt great and with karl at the wheel trying not to sware too much (as I was filming the lap and he didn't want his mum to watch and here him swareing....argh bless :lol: ) we were flying round.

Also I was passenger in my mates 2.0 16v Corsa, we did 2 laps then he cooked his Hi-Spec brakes and couldn't do anymore all weekend he was gutted..... But on the 2nd lap we managed a respectable 9min50sec


(oh and my best time was 10mins 16secs 4 up in the cally) :lol:

Neil

[karl Rowntree]

Really good pictures on that web site aernt they mart. And as for Beastie from the rear ohh err :o

There really is nowhere in the world you can just turn up and share a track with cars such as porsche GT's and ferrari's. Never have i seen so many sorted BMW's and carreras.

Neil, have to say mate my most enjoyable passenger lap of the weekend was in your cali! Lee and Beastie managed to scare the living shat out of me, your lap was so controlled and smooth it made me jump straight in mine and step up the pace a bit. Wish i was still there, as i was only just getting my confidence with the car. Before i went i wasnt really that struck on it but after starting to understand what it can do it really is amazing, i dont want to sell it now!

2 cars i wished i had gone in was bens and oli's (dhdev) oli really was flying and was great to see the smile on his face after every lap, mate your deserved it after all your bad luck previous :wink:

Oh well must move on i guess, lets see what we end up in next year :twisted:

Karl

[martweaver]

Yeah, cracking pics!! Shame I could'nt see any of Keiths or the other guys. The one of Beasty is a blinder!!

I think a few more days & you would have got seriously quick Karl, the lap Me & Ed went out with you was awesome - that thing can hold the road very impressively but as you say finding its limits could be quite scary.

Lets go back next weekend :D :D :D

[karl Rowntree]

Next week mart! Not a chance, I am bankrupt after this trip what with approx 8 tanks of petrol :cry: It was using 1/4 tank every lap :lol: Never mind was well worth it.

Is a shame there isnt more pictures, i guess we just werent out on track enough. There is a fair few of bens though, guess the photographers didnt like english number plates!

As for the car, take everything you know about driving front wheel drive and chuck it out the window. I really did have to start again, though i couldnt have had a better car to learn in. What ever you wanted it to do i.e oversteer, understeer or four wheel drift it would do it on demand. It was only on the last 2 laps though that i began to undertand how to set the car up. I found the tyre pressures made a massive difference on it aswell. Didnt really want to push it any more anyway as i love it too much and i dont fancy losing a car worth that much. Wouldnt mind crashing the nova but if i crashed the evo, i would have to go away for awhile lol.

Next year, a master class in rear wheel drive :twisted:

Karl

[m.d.]

right when are you lot going again cos im going to take the scooby for definate. hmm 4 wheel sliding :D

[karl Rowntree]

Same time next year mate as a group, but i will be going out again this year in one form or another. Next year i have pretty much decided to go once a month, cant quite afford to go and live over there just yet.

Praying for a lottery win tomorrow then i am off!

[NovaBen]

Managed to find a few pics of mine aswell:

http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=558&max=690

Me chasing the Ring taxi (and probably losing out!):
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=642&pic=70&max=228

One of Karl:
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=637&pic=579&max=690

And another of me:
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=650&pic=134&max=266
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=650&pic=28&max=266

Cute:
http://circledriver.the-developer.net/galerie/showon.aspx?id=650&pic=6&max=266

And i think that is about it!

Karl, if i'd have known you wanted to go out for lap i would happily of taken you! Are you coming over at the end of July, I think thats whe we are on about going bac again!

Ben

[CP]

:D Sounded like top fun. Well done lads - I can't wait til i get chance to get out there. Can't really claim to be much of a track day enthusiast til I've been and done the holy grail of all tracks!

[karl Rowntree]

Charles i could see you loving it over there. Its the kind of track that grabs you and no other in the uk seems to ever come close again. I am currently working out the costs etc of taking my nova over permanent as its the only place i can see myself enjoying it now.

Will let you know when we are making the next trip.

Karl