Visit to "the Ring"
 

A few months ago I contacted the Porsche factory in Stuttgart as I wanted to take a tour factory with my son. I got a reply back that the minimum age is 16 years (Sam is 11) and unfortunately that idea was out of the window.

I had the trip to Europe booked, and just visiting family is kind of boring for kids. As an alternative I decided to drive out to the Nurburg ring. Only a 3 hour drive from where we stayed in Holland. A good friend of mine borrowed his shiny Mercedes to us and we went off to the Autobahn...

At the ring we visited the museum, took a backstage tour (very interesting!) and took a few rides in the go-karts.

The next day we rented a VW and took it for a spin on the the track! Wow! Thats a great experience! With no race background other than a few years on a shifter go-kart we got some tips and tricks from the car rental yard and went out for 6 laps.

If you ever in Germany for any reasons, its absolutely worth it! The Eiffel is a beautiful area and yes, they also rent 911 GT3.....

Our ride for the week:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374601.jpg

The Museum:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374650.jpg

Number one!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374705.jpg

The F1 Track:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374768.jpg

Our rental car:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374813.jpg

More rental cars:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374872.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335374915.jpg

And a Video
 

Sam made a video with his GoPro. Don't mind the bad driving lines, I am not a racing driver whatsoever!
Gopro 3rd lap around the Nurburgring HD. - YouTube

Great idea to stop there and indulge yourselves. Your son will always remember this.

Unfortunate about the Porsche age limit - ridiculous really.
The GoPro video is fun - glad you didn't try to keep up with the beasts that passed you!

You found a great memory for your son.

They rent ENZO's?!?!

Jeez what is the day rate on that thing.

Well considering the 993 GT3 3.8 is 1800 euros.... Ummm... Don't ask on the enzo....

How was the Scirocco?

Did it a couple years ago...scared the schit outta the owner on the checkout lap. Those GT-3's are a breeze to drive coming from early lightweight chassis' w/ no ABS. Money WELL SPENT!!!

Getting ready:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335383293.jpg

kibitzing in the paddock w/ drivers from all over Europe:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335383344.jpg

Very cool. I did the same thing back in September. Great memories for you and your son.

Great little car! Front wheel drive 220 hp. Unfortunately no manual. The Enzo is not for rent. they keep it together with a 911 in storage for a customer.

We for sure had a great day. I promised mom to take it easy. The rental yard guys where great! I (we) will come back one day to drive the 911.

Its just awesome to see the huge smile on the kids face. And yes, a memory for a lifetime.

For the factory tour, it's got something to do with insurance. It's unfortunate but understandable. Another reason to go back again!!

I'd love to drive the 'Rocco on the ring... But it would just reinforce my want for another VW HotHatch....

Great post. My brother rode it last week on his Triumph Trophy (im amazed they let cars and bikes out together) and sent me his "hi score" pic off the bike computer- 146mph. Nuts.

scary
 

That was actually the only thing that bothered me. Lots of fast cars came flying and it did not bother me a bit, but those bikers are nuts!

We saw 3 of them hit the asphalt and destroy their bikes the day before. One of them was taken away in the emergency vehicle..