Nürburgring trip Easter Bank Holiday Weekend 2006

[ctrlaltdelboy]

OK

I for one am going to spend the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend 2006 hooning my NSX around the Nürburgring, and it's only fair that I let you lot in on the arrangements with a view to getting a proper NSXCB track meet sorted, cause we haven't really had one since 2003, and this way no-one can claim insufficient notice as an excuse!

The Dates

Friday 14 April 2006
Saturday 15 April 2006
Sunday 16 April 2006
Monday 17 April 2006

personally I would prefer to travel out on the Thursday and back on the Tuesday in order to enjoy the full 4 days of the BHWE at the circuit, however others may wish to use the Friday and Monday for travelling instead making do with just the Sat & Sun on track.

The Cost

your budget will vary greatly depending on where you stay, how long you stay, tunnel/ferry choice and amount of lappage.

Single Lap tickets are €16 per lap
Multi Lap tickets are:

4-lap ticket @ €56.00 = €14.00 per lap
8-lap ticket @ €108.00 = €13.50 per lap
15-lap ticket @ €195.00 = €13.00 per lap
25-lap ticket @ €305.00 = €12.20 per lap

Annual tickets are €798 for unlimited laps all season (you'll need a passport photo for this)

tickets are valid for the whole season if you don't use it all up
the annual ticket becomes cheaper than buying 25 lap tickets after lap 65

as a first timer to the Ring you will probably do 6-12 laps per day
as a returning enthusiastic Ringer I expect to do around 15 laps per day although some guys do 20+

bear in mind that with spirited driving and 13+ miles per lap you are going to burn £5 of petrol per lap too, so if you manage 10 laps per day that is £130-£140 per day for lapping alone.

anyhoo - this is a 'must-not-miss' event, the 2005 trip was awesome - I'll post some pics to whet your appetites!


EDIT: 19/01/2006

ok, I've decided upon my schedule which is as follows:

Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - Caen (http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=64)
depart Portsmouth Thurs 13th April at 08:45 arrive Caen at 14:30
drive from Caen to Hohe-Acht (http://www.hohe-acht.com/18279/home.html) 430 miles, estimate 8 hours (towing) - arrive at hotel by 22:30 - check in, beer & bed :)
Friday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Saturday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Sunday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Monday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time
Monday evening - drive back to Caen - 8 hours then kip in the car at ferry port
Tuesday - depart Caen 09:00 arrive Portsmouth 14:45 - pick up kids from mum :)

if anyone else is planning to to the full 6 day version then feel free to tag along with my itinerary if you can handle 8 hours each way at 60mph

anyone on the 4 day version, I'll be there to greet you on arrival and wave you off on departure - make sure you get my mobile number off me before the event.

[ctrlaltdelboy]

pics from Easter 2005


http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/Gerard5.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren3.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/Gerard3.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/Michel1.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/gerard1.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/convoy4.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/convoy12.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren14.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/convoy16.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/convoy15.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren1.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren10.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren11.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren2.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/joe+df3.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren9.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/darren8.JPG

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/gerard2.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/Peter2.jpg

http://darrenferneyhough.com/images/nurburgring/easter2005/Tim5.jpg

[Kevin]

This is something I would like to do one day. However the danger of it worries me. What comments do you have about that?

Some aspects;
The standard and behavior of other drivers.
The number of other cars, and liklihood of traffic
What's the noise limit?

[ctrlaltdelboy]

Kev

that's exactly how I felt before I finally did it, and was the reason I put it off for about 3 years from first thinking about it, but one of the first thoughts I had once I got there and did it was "what on earth was I getting so het-up about?"

I don't think it's any more dangerous really than any other circuit, from the one weekend I spent there I found that everyone knew the rules and followed them, just like on any UK trackday - people passed only on the left and slower cars/bikes indicated right to keep out of the way of faster ones.

the unusual part I found was having bikes and cars (and coaches) on the track at the same time.

as far as danger goes, its the same as trackdays - the Porsche that leaks oil takes himself out as does the over-zealous Astra or Fiesta and the only fatalities seem to be the bikers (or more often their pillions).

as you may be aware, deaths at the ring average 1 per week - this is the statistic that put me off more than anything, but as I said above, it's pretty much all bikers - there are some areas around the lower parts of the ring under shade all morning from the trees and the morning dew can hang around long after tyhe track opens to catch out the unwary - bikes come off much worse than cars when hitting these bits with some cornering speed.

Kevin - just do it mate!!

[ctrlaltdelboy]

oh yeah, your other questions.....

number of cars = tends to be quite a lot, but then again that could just be my perspective from going so much faster than so many of them, but traffic tends to behave very well and you have no trouble in passing anyone slower - the place is crawling with GT3s and even GT2s going like bats out of hell, so most ringers are well used to keeping an eye oin the mirror and moving over for the faster cars.

Noise limit is officially 100 but as far as I can see it is only stated for lipservice and not actually enforced

[Kevin]

I'm not too worried about the danger aspect as far as my driving goes. I always drive within my own comfort levels.

It's the actions of others that I'm more concerned about, especially when the circuit is a 'turn up and drive' kind of affair. I wasn't aware there were any rules.

The only other thing I am concerned about is beating Clarksons time round the track.

[jaytip]

The only other thing I am concerned about is beating Clarksons time round the track.
that is a must!!!
NSX v jaguar diesel :shock:
I know i wouldn't want to say i couldn't better it. :oops:

[ctrlaltdelboy]

a few of the S2ki boys went over last weekend - here's the write-up

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=310444

the times seem to be mid to low 9mins, so come on chaps, lets show the S2k boys what real lap times look like :wink:

[sportyking]

Darren, obviously I'm up for this now I'm sorted :D

Ritchie

[Jim]

I will be making the trip over Easter from Bristol so once it gets closer to the date I would be interested in hearing about any groups that are driving over together to tag along with. I can leave on the Thurday or Friday and return on the Monday or Tuesday.

I have already clock up 30 laps on the GT4 PS2 in practice for the real thing, but on the 120" screen I am running it looks real. Current lap record 8:41 (not good) needs more work.

Jim

[TheQuietOne]

I have already clock up 30 laps on the GT4 PS2 in practice for the real thing, but on the 120" screen I am running it looks real. Current lap record 8:41 (not good) needs more work.

Jim

120" screen...how big is your front room :shock:

Matt

[simonprelude]

Said yes, but would like to passenger before going out on the track myself.

Anywhere arranged to stay yet ??

[Jim]

I have setup a home cinema room in my old office that was once a small barn (very small only 10 by18 inside space). All the toys (DVD 200 disc autoloader, PC, XBOX and PS2) hooked up and the room is blackout with 7.1 sound for the full impact.

Still cannot break the 8:40 time, I am using the HONDA NSX standard 3.0 with manual box the same car I have and not bouncing off the walls or over the grass.

After about 40 laps I think I have the hang of the front and end of the circuit, but the middle downhill section is still giving me problems.

Looking forward to April and a top gear moment of cruising through Europe in a sports car for fun.

[ctrlaltdelboy]

passengerage is always available Simon :wink:

2006 prices have just been announced so I have updated the 1st post accordingly.

Accommodation - there are a number of places nearby to stay, but the S2ki crew and I will be staying at the Berghotel Hohe-Acht.

it's basic but cheap if you can deal with being looked after by Thomas - the gayest German waiter you'll ever meet.

Berghotel details here (http://www.hohe-acht.com/18279/home.html)

other accommodation details here (http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/where_to_stay.html)

[710]

I'm not too worried about the danger aspect as far as my driving goes. I always drive within my own comfort levels.
then you won't have anything to worry about.
The ONLY danger there is that you over cook it around one of the blind curves. THAT'S were the self discipline comes in and the only point that worries me about myself.
As for the traffic, no problem, everybody is very respectful and gets out of the way.
:twisted:
Darren is right, your worries are a non-issue. Come this year Kevin, it's great to see all the other cars there, the atmosphere is nice.
Peter

[710]

Kevin, read the below.

My wife did a few laps at the Nurburgring with my NSX. her only compliant was that there was no resturant to stop at during the laps (there is actaully, but i didn't say anything...)

so come on Kev, you are officially counted as "in" this time.
peter

[710]

For the list:
Sign me up. Anyday.
But I won’t be coming over with you because, well, how can I put this…I only live 1 hour away from the Ring! Yeah! Just had to rub it in! HaHa.

Ok, childish moment finished.
Peter

[ctrlaltdelboy]

look forward to seeing you again this year Peter, hopefully this time we can organise some synchronisation to our laps unlike last year when we completely failed!!

[710]

look forward to seeing you again this year Peter, hopefully this time we can organise some synchronisation to our laps unlike last year when we completely failed!!
Not entirely true, as one of the times we all set out for a lap I was a couple of cars behind you. I was determined to show you how to drive and was willing to do dangerous things to achieve this.






You friggin disappeared into the distance…and were gone within 2 corners…


i'm hopeless

[ctrlaltdelboy]

:oops:

oops - sorry!

:lol:

better luck this year mate :wink:

[710]

:oops:

oops - sorry!

:lol:

better luck this year mate :wink:
hehe. the only way i'll have better luck this year is to sabotage your car!
:twisted:

[710]

just saw this on prime. THAT was a laugh!

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=561204&posted=1#post561204

[710]

Ok Kevin,
The above thread on prime has changed. Adeel put a link to an on-board camera at the Nordschleife with Sabine being chased by a Porsche.

Kevin, don’t watch this!
D O - N O T - W A T C H

The rest of you, absolutely watch it, even if it takes you 3 hours to get. Took me 1 hour to download, but I’m glad I did. I used the first link.

In the beginning after the peage there are a few motorcyclists who are waiting on the side. They have seen that it’s Sabine coming and are staying out of the way!! Ha!

Darren, you HAVE to see this. Do you remember the crest into BRAKE HARD in the air into 90 right at 8.06???? It’s really clear in the film. Jeez! My stomach goes whoop just watching this. I noticed she braked a little just before it too. I was doing that and wondered if it was chicken. I guess not.

And remember all the other crests were you go weightless? Got to tell your passengers to bring sick bags. And the beginning straights (around 0.40) where you think “ok, this is easy” and then getting a wake up call at 1.00 and a seriously big wake up call at 1.40? Remember?

And that (3.20) sudden left into esses at the top of the hill? Jesus that comes up quick. Sooner than you think, even in the film. Sabine seems to accidentally go very wide there, I think she over cooked it trying to get past the motorcycle and she knew she was pulling away just then from the Porsche too!
Just shows that if you hold your nerve and use the road to scrub speed off, you can make it. Even the Porsche went a little wide.

Last time I was there when it was really pissing down with rain, I arrived at that corner over the limit (didn’t expect it, like everybody else…), saw it at the last minute, did what little braking I could and took a tighter line aiming the car to cover the inside curb completely. Good thing too, because I drifted right across the course using absolutely every inch and touched the strips on the outside Even though because of the emergency I aimed to put the complete car over the inside edge, I actually only just touched the inside. That’s how much I was sliding. The only thing that got me out of that was the car’s great handling…

Did a 11 min 59 sec in the pissing rain though…and that with a stock NSX. Credit to the car. I’m glad I lived to tell the tale. Glad my friend timed it because I won’t be doing that again.

Man, that course is hairy. I swear I was all tensed up re-driving the circuit while watching this… remember to tell me to spend my time in the café next time.

Did you see the way she took Adenauer bridge (4.48 really wide? I think she was going so fast she couldn’t clip the two apexes after her efforts passing the motorcycle! Man. Darren, you REALLY have to watch this.

Shows that motorcycles are NOT faster than cars (4.23) no matter WHAT they think. Reminds me of our annual road trips to the hills in the Alsace that I told you about. The amount of times we have to squeeze between bikes…really…
Peter

PS: quote of the video: (6.10) “Brakes are phenomenal, aren’t they?” Better bloody be, coming in at that speed…

[sportyking]

So how many Uk NSX's will be there at Easter?

[710]

see
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62994

on prime. It's a great clip of Hans Stuck going on the FI circuit AND the Nordschleife, something I’ve only been able to do once.

peter

[NSXGB]

AWESOME! I enjoyed that...I will be going next year for sure...

[710]

AWESOME! I enjoyed that...I will be going next year for sure...
next year is THIS year now...

[NSXGB]

Oops, still hung over! :oops:

[Kevin]

I've just 'tuned in' to this thread. I've stickified it, as there seems to be some interest in making this a bit more of an event. I'll put something up on the main web home page soon too. Heaven knows the masses want some more events.

Been thinking about going, and there's a good possibility of attendance by the trackmeister. I'll need to get PGR3 for my Xbox-360 and get some practice in.

[ctrlaltdelboy]

will be great to have J14 on the ring buddy ;)

sure hope you join us

EDIT: here's my personal itinerary if anyone is interested (I've also added this to the first post of the thread)


Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - Caen (http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=64)
depart Portsmouth Thurs 13th April at 08:45 arrive Caen at 14:30
drive from Caen to Hohe-Acht (http://www.hohe-acht.com/18279/home.html) 430 miles, estimate 8 hours (towing) - arrive at hotel by 22:30 - check in, beer & bed :)
Friday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer, reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Saturday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer, reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Sunday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time/back to hotel for dinner, beer, reflection, photo/video download & viewing
Monday - attend Nurburgring with buddies and have great time
Monday evening - drive back to Caen - 8 hours then kip in the car at ferry port
Tuesday - depart Caen 09:00 arrive Portsmouth 14:45 - pick up kids from mum :)

if anyone else is planning to to the full 6 day version then feel free to tag along with my itinerary if you can handle 8 hours each way at 60mph

anyone on the 4 day version, I'll be there to greet you on arrival and wave you off on departure - make sure you get my mobile number off me before the event.

[ctrlaltdelboy]

by the way, if anyone would like to join the rest of us petrolheads at the Berghotel Hohe-Acht, feel free but act fast as there are limited rooms getting booked fast

the hotel is basic and cheap, but the staff are very nice and friendly and the food is good.

last year we spent many a raucous evening having taken over the lounge with video footage on the telly, photo slideshows on the laptop and perfecting techniques on the PS2 - all washed down with lashings of Bitburger!

call the gaffer - Frank to book on 0049 2691 471
Frank speaks perfect English, so no need to be shy (and let him know I sent you if you like ;) )

[sportyking]

My itinerary:

Dover 01:00 Friday 14/4
Norfolk line Dover-Dunkirk 01:45 in company with an S2000 and a TT.
Ring by 10:00 14/4
Couple of sighting laps to remember what I learnt last year.
Same Hotel as Darren above at Hohe-Acht.
Sat/Sun go for it on the ring
Mon 17/4 tour back on a scenic route
20:30 ish Norfolk Line Dunkirk-Dover.

Next day at work in Plymouth :(

[ctrlaltdelboy]

update - there appears to be a Porsche event at the ring on Friday & Saturday so probably not open for tourist driving?

Porsche GTP Weekend, 14. 04. 2006 to 15. 04. 2006
Porsche-Club Nürburgring e.V.
Rheinhöhe 32, 56182 Urbar
Telefon: 02 61 - 6 10 00

http://www.nuerburgring.de/2_eventstermine/alle_veranstaltungen/index.html?L=1

[710]

I've tried phoning the Ring repeatedly, but never get anyone. I wanted to find out about the Sunday, or Thursday for instance…
As an alternative, the Grand Ballon area in the Alsace is open. It’s the best driving in the hills you will ever find.
Peter

[lotusolly]

Hi all,
Is there still a group of NSX's attending this event or have people backed out due to the lack of access to the ring?

Olly

[sportyking]

I know Darren and I will be there with a host of S2000s and a few other cars, so will the red headed teenager :D

[710]

If you guys will be there, so will I.
I like the atmosphere even if we can't go on the circuit.

[sportyking]

I will be there, but I think Darren has had to bow out now

[ctrlaltdelboy]

correct - I am no longer able to attend this trip :(

very jealous of you guys who are going - make sure there are plenty of pics when you get back ;)

[Sicarrie]

Won't be there, but I recommend the 'Ringhaus - Altes Forsthaus St. Hubertus'. Frank's Berghotel is certainly okay, but the Ringhaus is within walking distance of the circuit and Olly and co are car nuts. They also have some handy contacts should you have a minor incident and need your ali sump welding up in a hurry so you can get back out there.

Apparently.

Can't recommend the place highly enough.

Si.

[710]

So it's Saturday.
I just looked at the site for the ring:

http://www.nuerburgring.de/1_nuerburgring/touristenfahrten/index.html

and they say regnerisch.

But it appears the track is open on Sunday and Monday and grey and regnerisch mixed.
So tomorrow (Sunday) I will visit a couple of NSX guys here in Belgium for awhile, then later in the afternoon nip down to the Ring. At about 2-3 o'clock, I guess.
I expect my RPS clutch in the mail on Tuesday so my NSX isn't running yet.

So we will see what kind of cars and motorcycles are there, it’s always good to see.
That is if it’s not pissing.
peter