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What I Did on My Summer Vacation
There is nothing that prepares you for it: the size, the speed, everything is just mind numbing. In itself it is truly a site to be seen and a kind of warm joy overwhelms you, right before the guard rail comes into frame in the front windshield. But I am getting ahead of myself.
The day starts way too early, but I hardly notice because I am wide awake like a 7 year old on Christmas morning. My parents and I endure the 2 hour drive to the airport from our stay in the south of France. My mom stands at the check-in counter grasping my tickets, she’s not handling sending her first born son out alone to a country she’s never been, to meet a man she’s never met.  I arrive on time to a call from my taxi service, they are already their and ready to go. It’s not very often that your taxi happens to be a 1975 911s with a 3.6 stuffed up the back. Smitty (K9handler) was happy to see I made it all right and introduced me to John and his 993 as well as his friend Travis. Before long with were off and running, running at 160mph in a derestricted area of Germanys Autobahn.  Within the 13miles of track that makes up the Nurburgring there are 147 corners, 4 villages and a castle. The track is the longest, most challenging, and most dangerous race track man kind has ever created. It is the Mecca of the automotive world. We arrive early at the gas station to fill up from the track and man is that a something to see in itself. (Points to anyone who can see what is interesting about the picture)  We spent the day drooling over the cars, talking with the owners and taking our own share of laps on the track. Smitty and John were nice enough to take on the burden of driving me around again and again. I could tell they were just furious in having to do so. We also met a gentleman named Matthew who was running a Miata…with some suspension but otherwise stock. We come to find that he lives in LA and keeps this car in London so he can come out to the Ring for 5 weeks a year and go lap after lap after lap. I had my doubts on how much fun a Miata could be on the track. He took Smitty out for a lap to see how someone who knows the track would go about things. Matthew kept up with the Ring taxis for a bit in the twisty sections, 507hp vs 130hp?! So after they returned I was itching for a ride myself. Wow, the guy was absolutely amazing, there is no way anyone could drive that car faster on that track. The tire squeal and slip angle started at the first turn and ended on the back straight away. All the while Matthew is smiling and waving to other drivers. What an experience.  All in all the weekend was one of the greatest in my life and I cant wait to return someday to have a go in a car myself. But for now I will have to settle with the inacurate and watered down versions that I find in my video games...sigh. Dont worry pictures will follow.
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 07:49 AM
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Take a look at some of the eye candy
 This red 3.8 was a triptronic, we later realised it belonged to the gentleman without a right foot...  ooo...ahhh a brand new M6  The place was littered with GT3's and GT3 RS's   A 964 RS, you dont see those everyday. 
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 07:55 AM
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Whatever you think fast is, these EDO Racing cars will show you how wrong you are.
 The M3 and CSL boys were out in force.  Smitty needing his morning coffee   It was Vintage race weekend so all the oldies were out...hey wait a second who the hell got that 911 in the pictures, @#$@#$!  An absolutely stunning new car made by Wiseman, I believe. M3 running gear on a 2000 pound platform. The driver turned out to be the one of the main Exporters for the car and took us out for coffee! Wowzer.  
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 08:03 AM
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Some of the vintage cars
 An unbelieveably clean E-type that I couldnt stop staring at.  A 
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 08:07 AM
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A good laugh
 Man I love these cars, how cool.  I must admit I have a secert love of these M Coupes  One of me so there is proof and then...  ...one of Smitty, with the shamless Taj plug.  
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 08:11 AM
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And finally some track shots...
  I love this 964 RS, probably one of my favorites cars there.  A nice shot of a 360 mid turn...  How you get on the track  Anyway I know thats a lot but I couldnt resist, enjoy.
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 08:14 AM
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Location: princeton, new jersey
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on the filling station pic: BMW "Ring Taxi" 4 door with M3 style louver on the fender? great pix. i go to germany 1-3 times a year and never made it to the 'ring....this will change!!
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07-06-2005, 08:17 AM
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Montana 911
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Montana
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Matt it was great having you here and I hope it was a time you will never forget! I know I will never forget that 1st lap we made.
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H.D. Smith 2009 997.2 S 3.8 PDK 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 Baby Raptor 2019 Can Am Renegade 1000R XC 2020 Yamaha YFZ450R |
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07-06-2005, 08:30 AM
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Great STUFF!
Great T shirt Smitty!! Man that place is the king od GT3's and Carrera RS's two of my all time fav's!!!!!!! -Eric
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Famous last words.. "Hold my beer and watch this...' " The reason the Irish are always fightin one another is that there are no other worthy opponents ". |
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07-06-2005, 08:41 AM
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Thanks, Matt and Smitty. The 'Ring is a dream of mine, along with a visit to LeMans. Someday........................................... ....
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Brandolini’s Law: It takes hours more time, research, and writing to debunk misinformation than it takes to spread it. |
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07-06-2005, 08:46 AM
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Quote:
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 08:50 AM
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Turgid Member
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Location: Florida
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Awesome photos! Looks like an amazing trip.
The filling station photo: It's the LOTTO sign, isn't it...
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'87 Carrera "Man who go through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok" |
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07-06-2005, 09:50 AM
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I do love the Bitburger!! and the decals are sweet I'll trade something for a decal or two if you have some.. not the BBS Mag's but maybe something else  lemme know! -Eric 
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Famous last words.. "Hold my beer and watch this...' " The reason the Irish are always fightin one another is that there are no other worthy opponents ". |
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07-06-2005, 10:05 AM
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Jeez you guys the picture is showing Shabine Shmit (sp?) The Ring Taxi girl and winner of the 24hrs of the Ring like every year. lol!
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 10:10 AM
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Quote:
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Matthew “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” |
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07-06-2005, 10:10 AM
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I'll take a stab at the filling station weirdness - the ridiculously low prices for gas?
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89 Carrera 3.4 "There is a right way to go around a corner - it's called the line." -- PCA DE speaker bryteside.com - good things happen. |
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07-06-2005, 10:14 AM
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damn, it's already been answered, but how could you miss the hot blonde that manhandles that "taxi".... mmmmm.... blonde..... manhandles
nice pics btw, the e-type's interior looks awesome and the story about the Miata is just too cool. That's gotta be the ultimate "track car"... kept in another country just so it's near the 'Ring. Awesome! |
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07-06-2005, 10:44 AM
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I'm slow.
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89 Carrera 3.4 "There is a right way to go around a corner - it's called the line." -- PCA DE speaker bryteside.com - good things happen. |
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07-06-2005, 10:53 AM
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07-06-2005, 10:57 AM
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Montana 911
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 It would be like 65 euro ($78) to fill the tank of my 911.
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H.D. Smith 2009 997.2 S 3.8 PDK 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 Baby Raptor 2019 Can Am Renegade 1000R XC 2020 Yamaha YFZ450R |
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07-06-2005, 11:02 AM
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1979 Porsche 911 SC (ROW) Rebuilt 3.0
