Visit to the Nurburgring !!!

rexav8r · 06-22-2005, 05:03 AM

OK, here’s a long one… Hope you like it…

After trying for quite some time I was finally able to make it to the Nurburgring !!! The whole trip started, if you can believe it, with some goof-ball fragging out a 915 tranny on the drag-strip…..

Some of you may recall Howard Smith’s (k9handler’s) thread a while back on a 915 tranny swap that MIGHT have happened right around the same time….. Uh, hem…. Anyway, 915s are kinda pricey overthere and he found a MUCH cheaper replacement near me, so I hand carried a “new” tranny to him in Ramstein, Germany from Dayton, Ohio ! (..and boy are my arms tired, Ba-dum-Bump !) For the effort he said he’d do what it takes to get me to the Ring, and he came through ….. BIG time !!!

I’ll start the whole thing off by stating that I didn’t actually get to DRIVE the Ring, this time (although we had planned for me to) but I have ABSOLUTELY NO GRIPE about it either. I mean, would you if you could get FREE laps with “pro” rally drivers in a GT-2 and a GT-3 !!!!!!!!! Plus I had to leave SOMETHING for next time, right !!

This past Saturday, the 18th, I got in to Germany early and had the day off. I was pretty tired, but nothing excellent German coffee and capachino can’t cure. Anyway, Smitty was already on base at 6:30 or 7:00a.m. or whenever it was I called and had picked me up shortly thereafter. We had to run a couple of errands and then met up with his wife Susan and 2 of his 4 kids that had decided to head up with us and check it out. They trudged on honorably in the BMW following us for what I think wound up being about 1.5 to 2 hours.

We had plenty of time on Saturday. The track, er, I mean, the Toll Road (that is in fact what the Germans really do consider it by the way!!) was only scheduled to be open to the public from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. and we arrived at Noon. Time to look around…

First stop was THE gas station. EVERYONE goes to THE gas station… Neat place !! Especially if, like Smitty, you either collect die cast cars, have a personal favorite or fall in love with some of the hard-to-find ones. They have more than I have ever seen anywhere I think!! They also had posters, stickers, grill badges and even cases of Bitburger (for Eric). Oh yeah, try to always keep some small Euro change in your pocket too, as a trip to the toilett will set you back a whole .50 Euro cents… Great place to sit outside, grab a bite to eat and drink and watch cars and motorcycles go by too…

Next, we drove up into the Ring. We started with a lunch snack at the Grune Holle track restaurant. From there we headed over to the museum. I think it was 15 Euros for an adult. GREAT museum, pretty hands on place and actually very kid friendly !! Some awesome cars in there; an Elva Porsche, a Ferrari 250 GTO, and a bunch of others, even a Mercedes racing truck !! Of course, at the end of ANY good museum there’s a good gift shop… They had all kinds of stuff in there, kind of glad I held off and didn’t buy anything at the gas station before hand. You can always go back there after you leave the museum.

Following the museum, we found the entrance to the indoor Go-Kart track and made our way in. Howard, his son Jordan and I threw our money on the counter, pulled on our helmets, and jumped in !! GREAT TRACK !!! I’ve raced karts now in a few different places and these were the best, cleanest and probably fastest I’ve been in !! Plus they had Bitburger stickers on ‘em which once again would make Mr. McKenna happy !! Yeah, yeah, Smitty did get a faster lap time than me at one point, but who cares about that, right Smitty !! HAHA !

After the karts, we grabbed a FANTASTIC early dinner in Nurburg. Then said good-bye to Susan and the kids. It had been a long, hot day, and sitting around watching us the rest of the time would have been BRUTAL !!

Enough of all that crap, lets get to The Ring, die Grune Holle !!

Smitty & I pulled up in his car, which by the way is a 1975 911S with a 1995 3.6 liter powerplant hiding under the lid. Pretty neat reactions from people all the time really when that baby revs up… The price options are 1 lap = 15 Euros; 5 laps = 45 Euros, and 6 laps = 80 Euros. The one lap and 5 lap passes are evidently only good for the day or weekend of purchase whereas the 6 lap is good for a year. With 2 hours of track time available we decide that we can probably squeeze in 6 laps, 3 each.

We just assumed that we’re here alone and didn’t factor in chat time, meeting people time and other stuff, but this is The Ring… There were a whole slew of THINGS there !!! From station wagons and 10 passenger cargo-type vans to ULTRA high-end racing bikes, several Corvettes, Lotus, BMWs, TVRs, and oh yeah, Porsches…. MANY Porsches….

We were walking back to the car to get ready when I stopped to look at what I thought was a GT-3 (it was) in the Gulf blue and orange scheme… Incredible car !! I started talking to the owner and that’s how we met Nils ! At the same time parked right behind Nils was a brand new GT-2. The car was SO incredible, the dead bugs on the front really stood out !! This car belonged to Michel, he saw me looking at the bugs and chimed in with a grin, “I know, I’m a serial killer!!”

After talking for a few minutes I turned to michel and asked if he had anyone riding with him today?? He said, “No, would you like to join me for a ride??”

What would YOU have said???

We decided to take an initial lap in Smitty’s car while Nils and Michel took a practice lap. First impression: UTTERLY AMAZING !!!! I’ve played GT-4 (once) and driven the Ring there. You get a great idea of the track, but there is NO WAY that ANY game can prepare you for that. Most specifically, the altitude changes. It’s mind-blowing…

OK, I’m going to jump ahead just a bit… Not to rob the first lap credit from Smitty’s car, as great as it was, but what followed in the GT-2 then the GT-3 was life-changing !!

Michel turned to me and said “Shall we go for a drive?” I climbed into the full roll cage in the GT-2 and straddled the large fire extinguisher tank, to strap in. A turn of the key and she purred to life. Pull up to the gate, insert lap pass, gate rises, easy down the goose-neck chute, then on to the initial straight, then ….. blurr… MY GOD !!!

I was going to save the coment for a bit later but I can’t … If you own one of these cars, a GT-2 or a GT-3, and you have not taken it on a track and pushed it’s performance level, you SIMPLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS YOU OWN !!!

To my brief experience, I NEVER felt any turbo lag, and quite honestly, as a passenger, I never sensed a point on the track where there was not tremendous amounts of instantaneous power!! And all the time with the AC on !!!!

The GT-3 was DEFINITELY different. The thing is, NEITHER was what I would be able to call better than the other. The feel of the GT-3, again as a passenger only, was very raw, the car felt lighter, possibly more agile, and just simply took off like a demon !! The engine sound was GREAT as the GT-3 obviously cranks the revs up a good bit higher than the GT-2.

What possibly amazed me most, I found out later, was that the GT-3 had some incredible suspension mods, and the GT-2 was bone-stock, even running STREET TIRES !!! Now take into account that GT-2 Street tires are STILL ultra high-end tires… The 2 was just so incredibly connected to the track. I think that’s what added to the nimble feeling of the GT-3.

Well, to try to wrap this up… I really could go on with describing almost the entire course (in all 3 of those cars) it was so amazing !! But the only part that I think I HAVE to mention is the Karussell. Everyone talks about it, but when people say you drop in to the Karussell you DROP IN TO THE KARUSSELL !!!

THANKS Howard, Nils and Michel !!

I hope to see Nils and Michel on this BBS soon !!
Here’s a link to Nils’ site: www.GT3000.com for some GREAT video, photos, and links !!!!!

Hope I didn’t bore anyone….!

rexav8r · 06-22-2005, 05:05 AM

OH yeah, how can I for get this shot...

Quadry · 06-22-2005, 05:34 AM

Sounds like a great trip!!!! Thanks for giving us that are stuck in the states a taste of what that trip will be like. Now, you just have to find another excuse to get back over there and get some track time!

PCP · 06-22-2005, 12:33 PM

Hi Guys,

it was a pleasure to meet Howard and Richard. We had a nice time.

The ring is awesome and if you are a Porsche lover you have to visit the Nurburgring at least one time in your life. Racing around the track, having a few Bitburger and steaks at the evening. Just having a great time.

To give you a better idea of what Richard is talking about, please go to
http://www.gt3000.com/videos_miscellaneous.htm
and download
Ride the Devil
Training at Nordschleife

The first one is pure madness. This car is going to drive a new best time on the track in the near future.
The second one shows my GT3 (before it turned into Gulf colours) in front of a Ferrari Challenge Stradale.

Enjoy the videos!

And keep up the good work with this message board.

Cheers
Nils

k9handler · 01:19 PM

First let me say welcome to the forum Nils as we are always glad to have new members, and thanks for the laps!
If you guys could understand how hard it was for me not to post about this sooner...I told Richard that this was his day and he was responsible for starting a thread for it.

That day as we made the drive home it hit me that 30 years of improvements make for one hell of a sports car! My car has it's cool points and I would not trade it for the world (ok...maybe a GT3) but the ability of a GT3 on the track is just awesome. 996 water pumper.....blah blah blah that car is freaking what having a Porsche is all about!

Now the GT2.....f a s t
Unlike Richard I did feel turbo lag...but that does not mean a lack of power.

It means that even when the turbo is not spooled up that engine has eneough power to just push you back in your seat and sport a freakin woody like no other...yes it's right up there with sex. lol

Like Richard and Nils stated above you really have to visit the ring and see what it's like in person to get a true understanding. I have a 4 lap pass in my pocket and the next time Richard is here two of them will be with him at the wheel of my 911.

Eric Mckenna · 06-23-2005, 04:42 AM

Great Write up Rich,
well done... It for sure sounds like a GREAT trip! Wish you had more pictures.. but hey with all that going on who has time right!

Nil's,
Welcome to the forum... The GT3 you have is great looking..
I love those cars... Hey I'll be in Germany at at the Ring in Oct the weekend of the 16th at the Ring.. If you're there I'll pay you for a ride.. as I i'd rather get a ride in a GT3 than some M5 ANYDAY!..

being that I am a Porsche guy..I know "Smitty" I mean Howard and Maybe Smittys buddy Steph will be there at the Ring at that time as well...hope to meet you!
Thanks for the web link to your videos...GREAT STUFF! Thanks for giving them rides.. Rich is on CLOUD 9 he can't stop talking about the GT3!!....
I like you already as you like Bitburger and Steak.. hell I live on the stuff!

Later! Eric Mckenna

PCP · 06-23-2005, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric Mckenna
Hey I'll be in Germany at at the Ring in Oct the weekend of the 16th at the Ring.. If you're there I'll pay you for a ride.. as I i'd rather get a ride in a GT3 than some M5 ANYDAY!..

Hi,

nobody has to pay me for a ride. I always go there to have some fun, not to earn money.

You can spend me a Bit afterwards.

If I am there in October it should be no problem to give you a ride.

Hey, the M5-Taxi is so damn slow. What a waste of money and time.

Cheers
Nils

jhelgesen · 06-23-2005, 04:52 AM

That sounds too cool. My work will have me traveling to Nurburg soon, hope to check out the ring while I'm there.

Eric Mckenna · 06-23-2005, 05:21 AM

You have a deal Nils.. ...

-Eric

rexav8r · 06-23-2005, 05:52 AM

Smitty, - TWO laps, what happened to my half of the SIX lap pass we split !!!

MAN ! I've GOT to get back for more !! That was such a GREAT time !! I have to say thanks again !!

I'm heavily researching a rental for the next visit, anyone know if they rent 917s you can take out there !!!

During the visit, Nils told me a story about getting a ride with Walter Rohrl on the Ring a while back.... He said that the man was amazing, and actually scared him at points !!!

Now THAT would have been a RIDE !!!

Here's a couple more shots from the museum...

rexav8r · 06-23-2005, 05:55 AM

A couple more..

GeorgeK · 06-23-2005, 06:05 AM

Who again is the guy owning the GT2? His license plates indicate he lives close to my place (in Switzerland that is). I know of a GT2 but it's not this one.

rexav8r · 06-23-2005, 06:06 AM

John,

When you do go, send me a PM and if I'm able I'll split a car and laps with you...

jhelgesen · 06-23-2005, 06:24 AM

Cool, I'll be sure to let you know. I should know my schedule in a few weeks.

Eric Mckenna · 06-23-2005, 08:45 AM

Smitty ,
That is a great shirt ya have on! !

-Eric

thrown_hammer · 06-23-2005, 09:30 AM

Richard that is Awesome! Please post all the pictures you took of Nil's car ASAP.

Nils, Great taste in paint.

rexav8r · 06-23-2005, 10:32 AM

Hammer - Go check out the links to his site above, you'll be SWAMPED with photos !!! Video too !!!

You've already seen most of what I've taken...

Here's a close-up uf Nils' back window.... Good for marketing...

Here's a couple of shots from his site... I got such a kick out of the second one I HAD to snag a copy !!!

rexav8r · 06-23-2005, 10:37 AM

Oh yeah, Shawn, it's not paint either.... The entire car is covered with stickers !!! BIG stickers !!! It's actually a completely RED GT-3 !!!

A heat gun and a LONG day or two and that sucker's a new car again !!!

Talk about rock-chip protection !!!