Easter Ring Trip - The 75 Experience
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:52 am
Always tricky to wirte a fully engaging summary, so by the use of many pics (I mean many) and a little video, hopefully the weekend is summarised below.......
(excuse the spelling and grammar)
Myself, Dan, Robin and Neil signed up to the 75 experience back in Jan this year. The cost was 550 euros each, which gave us a classroom breifing, supervised lapping the morning of the following day, followed by free lapping in the afternoon.
Track experience to date:
Matt - 5 laps of the Ring in Sept 06, 30 mins of Snetteron, evening session at Bedford. Numerous driving experience days.
Robin - Driving experience days
Neil - No experience
Dan - No experience.
It could be said we had mixed to no ability prior to getting on track.
Anyway, Thursday 5th April arrived, we all left work and promised ourselves an early night prior to the long drive ahead tomorrow. I finally got to bed at 11:30pm after loads of packing, repacking, checking etc. Robin made it a little earlier at around 10:30pm, Neil drove up from London to Norwich to meet us in the morning so turned in around midnight, Dan decided to get out on the sauce with a load of mates, and never went to sleep at all............a pattern starts to emerge.
Friday 6th April
My alarm closk goes off at 03:45, I'm showered and in the car to pick up Neil at 04:15 then enroute to Thickthorn services, just outside Norwich for the 04:30 rendevouz. Everyone is there, Dan looked jolly, and I, nor Neil realised he was steaming............this was to Robins passenger for 180 miles. It seems Dan slept for most of it.
We arrived at Dover for 06:30, 180 miles in 2 hours, not bad, I'l let you do the maths officer.
Its was then that Dan got out of the car and we realised he wasn't himself ! Anyway, we grabbed a quick coffee and headed back out to board when we bumped into Nigel and family + Ian and his family. I'm useless at names, so sorry for not remembering you all personally. However this lack of memory was self evident when I almost failed to introduce my fellow travvellers, not once but twice.
Dafely parked on the ferry and away we go
Robin (the commodore) comes straight off the bridge and bids farewell to the white cliffs
We then grab some breakfast, whilst Neil and Dan get their own form of full english in the bar (3 pints each between 8am and 10am looked great, but grim)
We land in Dunkerque and head off on the long drive. Stopping for fuel at about 1 hour in...........Dan missed the fuel stop.
We checked he had a pulse, nothing worse than getting stopped with corpse in your car, and headed off again.
4 hours later, after an insignifcant drive, we arrived at Nurburg. We checked in and headed off to show Robin and Neil what the Ring was all about. The time was 6pm ish, and this was the sight that first greeted us. Neil and Robin, suddenly realised how serious this place is....
However, we convinced them that things were not always so bad and headed off for the breifing.
Ed was our instructor for the following day, and led the classroom session.
Talk of cornering force, adhesion, forumlas etc had the guys rivetted, and me confused....
Seriously, it was very informative and helped to set us up for the day ahead.
We then headed off from the briefing, grabbed a pizza in Nurburg and a few beers and headed off to bed around 11pm ready for the early start the following morning.
Saturday 7th April
07:30 saw us arrive at the 75 HQ, it wasn't hard to find the mecca of the Alfa world..............
They may be old, but they looked the part and were well set up for the track
By 08:00 our weapons of choice had been chosen and we arrived at the Green hell.....
Robin and Neil first...
Dan taking up the rear........ahem
The track was open, so we went straight out following Ed on 2 sighting laps each. I drove first with Dan as passenger, Robin was in the other car with Neil as passenger.
After 1 lap was completed, we swapped positions behind Ed, Neil followed Ed and I dropped in behind Neil. This was to be the most helpful exercise of the day. We were all linked with radios and meant that Ed could talk us through gears, lines etc.
The most useful tip was Ed telling me which were the 5 most dangerous corners on the circuit, so long as I remembered those, there was a good chance things wouldn't get to hairy.
My confidence was lifted mnassivley by these laps, and would recommend anyone to do the same if they get the chance. I faced the rest of the day with real enthusiasm.
Once the sighting laps were completed, we were let out on our own (I shared trhe car with Dan, so whilst I was driving, he was passenger and vice versa)
I was amazed at just how well the car handled, great brakes, and felt really good turning in. It also becmae apparent that less and less traffic was passing me. The last time I came here, I was so intimidated by other ringers that I spent nearly all the time looking in my mirror with an indicator on. This time I actually drove the circuit and found I had peopel moving out of the way for me, thus allowing me to take proper (well better at least) lines into conrers.
I have very few pics of me on track as we spent so much time out there, but here is one I found. This was taken at 10:30, but does tend to show the commitment that I was at last giving the job in the hand.
We stopped for a bite to eat just the once when the track closed (the only closure all day) at 11:00, and continued lapping until 17:30. Between us, we managed 22 laps, not a bad feat. The car park itself was busy, but the track seemed to be relatively quiet all day. This was a good thing, especially as so many people had commented how mad it would be over easter, it never really materialised.
All the laps we completed (and petrol) came as part of the package, so we really got good value.
Our biggest embarrassment came when we (sorry Dan, I) mislaid the ticket in the car near the barrier.....thanks to Dunk at Big power for these pics of us trying to find it for the best part of 5 minutes...
still looking.....
Not found it yet.....
Must be here somewhere.....
Where are you.....
I finally found it above the rear view morror. (yes, I'm sorry Dan, I am an idiot)
Anyway, the day came to a close at 17:30 hours and we retired to the bar for a few beers
The chief sponsor of our tour was....
and having heard that Dan was in town, the MD of Bitburger had bought a new car, knowing that sales would be through the roof over the weekend...
Ian Howell had kindly taken me out on a passenger lap in his 200sx a little earlier, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. Ian you were awesome, I loved every moment of it, so smooth and so precise, and so calm. Many thanks.
He then took Neil out, and when they returned, Neils face summed it all up. He loved it too.
After that, Neil, Dan and Robin headed back to the hotels to get ready, I took a few landscape photos and headed off to the Northllop photo shoot.
I had to park outside the Ringhaus when I got back, but took this photo of my as it seemed a great opportunity...
Showered and changed, we headed off to the Pistenklause. It was 8:30pm, and didnt think we had any chance of a table. Saw Gary there, said hello and continued to consume beer. After a couple of pints a table became available (not sure what Robin promised the waiter to get it), and sat down for the only meal you can (or should) have there.....steak on the stone
Robin even started to moo like the beast from which it had came...
Neil on the other hand needed to be careful he didnt start eating his own belly, attacking the meat with such gusto...
After the meal, the events of the day just caught up on us. we were knackered. We headed off home about midnight, exhausted.
Sunday 8th April
I was awake at 07:30, adn just felt the urge to get down to the circuit. I needed to do a lap in the S3. Dan was having a lie in, so I called Robin. He was ready in 5 mins and off we went. A 4 lap ticket was purchased.
The track was so empty. Had great lap and was really pleased to be out there again.
Having been out with me, Robin decided it was time to take the Boxster out. It was a "scenic lap", however, Robin had broken his Ring cherry. Great stuff.
When I got back to the Car park, Sabine had heard I was there, and gave me a knowing smile........dont worry Sabine, its our secret ;o)
The rest of the mornign was spent taking photos. Tried to get a few of the cars I recognised, but it aint easy !!
What is this ? An evo estate car ??
This sounded gorgous...
This guy was having fun...
First time I'd seen this in action.....
This Megane was lapping throughout the day, and the guy was using hand controls too which shows great commitment.
One more of Leaving easy
Videe attempt here......this was stag doo. Very funny.....
We had a walk to more spectator points......
Captured a few more piccies with my new camera, I'm useless but trying to get better !
We then went into Adenau for lunch.......
and fuelled up prior to the reported 800 metre walk to AF
Great views on the way up....
But boy, is a long way or what !! Felt like 1800 metres to an out of condition 36 year old......worth the walk when we got there though.....
Back to the cars. I've tried to load some more video here, not sure if it will work or not....
This sounded awesome....
Show off.......
We'd seen enough. Time to head off on the walk down which was far easier....
Robin had taken on too much fluid.........
At the bottom of the hill it was retro classic spotting competition.......the guys were loving this...
Check the door handles on this.....
and then some of Dagenhams finest....
Back to the track. And one lap with the S3 and Neil as passenger....
Sunday evening was the big meal out iin Adenau. What a great time we had too. Not many pics from here as I didn't take my camera, however this was taken on Dans camera phone. Apparantley Dan and Neil had been sat at the bar enjoying a ciggie, when a young girl approached Dan and proclaimed "you have big ears and are weird"...........mustard !
Neil came back and spread the news, we were all in fits of laughter, and then capture this shot...........priceless!.
Thank you young lady, you made our weekend.
Anyway, the evening came to a close, we got a taxi back to the hotel and it was lights out for us.
Monday 9th April
The car park was empty at 8am, and Ken was rthere already having travelled over during the night. It was good to catch up with him again, and I'm sure Chris and you will have a great time this year with the Golf being left there.
However it was to be a sad day for another Golf of Northloop. Nigel had spent so much time getting his car ready, to see it all end in 30 mins time was painful. However, here is a few pics of it still looking fantastic.
Dan had finally found a cure for his big ears problem..........
Many thanks to Nigel for what was to be the penultimate lap for the Golf when he took Dan out. He really enjoyed his first ever passenger lap.
Ian kindly offered to show me the lines by allowing me to follow him, this was very helpful (and I took T13 the best I had done all weekend). Cheers bud !
Whilst Robin went out with Nigel, myself and Dan went to check out. It was whilst doing this we got a call from Robin to tell me of the incident that had struck them. Nightmare, shock, gutted. Thats all I can say really.
We got back to the car park, informed Ian of what had happened, everyone was concerned, thankfully everyone was ok though.
It was a sad way to end a great weekend, but I cannot thank you enough for how welcome the Northloop folks made us feel.
Special mention to :
Ian and family, thanks for the laps, the info, the knowledge, the banter.
Nige and Family, all of the above, and also for helping to organise the meal.
Myself and Dan had to bail out at 10:30 as our ferry was booked at 16:00. (Robin and Neil had inadvertently booked the 18:00 so we had to leave you guys, sorry!)
We made it to Dunkerque at 15:00, and said goodbye to a great weekend......
Dan wasn't happy to leave the Bitburger behind, the ships offering tasted like bleach in comparison......
But he did find the energy to salute the Bitburger.......
Great weekend guys, cant wait to do it again.
(excuse the spelling and grammar)
Myself, Dan, Robin and Neil signed up to the 75 experience back in Jan this year. The cost was 550 euros each, which gave us a classroom breifing, supervised lapping the morning of the following day, followed by free lapping in the afternoon.
Track experience to date:
Matt - 5 laps of the Ring in Sept 06, 30 mins of Snetteron, evening session at Bedford. Numerous driving experience days.
Robin - Driving experience days
Neil - No experience
Dan - No experience.
It could be said we had mixed to no ability prior to getting on track.
Anyway, Thursday 5th April arrived, we all left work and promised ourselves an early night prior to the long drive ahead tomorrow. I finally got to bed at 11:30pm after loads of packing, repacking, checking etc. Robin made it a little earlier at around 10:30pm, Neil drove up from London to Norwich to meet us in the morning so turned in around midnight, Dan decided to get out on the sauce with a load of mates, and never went to sleep at all............a pattern starts to emerge.
Friday 6th April
My alarm closk goes off at 03:45, I'm showered and in the car to pick up Neil at 04:15 then enroute to Thickthorn services, just outside Norwich for the 04:30 rendevouz. Everyone is there, Dan looked jolly, and I, nor Neil realised he was steaming............this was to Robins passenger for 180 miles. It seems Dan slept for most of it.
We arrived at Dover for 06:30, 180 miles in 2 hours, not bad, I'l let you do the maths officer.
Its was then that Dan got out of the car and we realised he wasn't himself ! Anyway, we grabbed a quick coffee and headed back out to board when we bumped into Nigel and family + Ian and his family. I'm useless at names, so sorry for not remembering you all personally. However this lack of memory was self evident when I almost failed to introduce my fellow travvellers, not once but twice.
Dafely parked on the ferry and away we go
Robin (the commodore) comes straight off the bridge and bids farewell to the white cliffs
We then grab some breakfast, whilst Neil and Dan get their own form of full english in the bar (3 pints each between 8am and 10am looked great, but grim)
We land in Dunkerque and head off on the long drive. Stopping for fuel at about 1 hour in...........Dan missed the fuel stop.
We checked he had a pulse, nothing worse than getting stopped with corpse in your car, and headed off again.
4 hours later, after an insignifcant drive, we arrived at Nurburg. We checked in and headed off to show Robin and Neil what the Ring was all about. The time was 6pm ish, and this was the sight that first greeted us. Neil and Robin, suddenly realised how serious this place is....
However, we convinced them that things were not always so bad and headed off for the breifing.
Ed was our instructor for the following day, and led the classroom session.
Talk of cornering force, adhesion, forumlas etc had the guys rivetted, and me confused....
Seriously, it was very informative and helped to set us up for the day ahead.
We then headed off from the briefing, grabbed a pizza in Nurburg and a few beers and headed off to bed around 11pm ready for the early start the following morning.
Saturday 7th April
07:30 saw us arrive at the 75 HQ, it wasn't hard to find the mecca of the Alfa world..............
They may be old, but they looked the part and were well set up for the track
By 08:00 our weapons of choice had been chosen and we arrived at the Green hell.....
Robin and Neil first...
Dan taking up the rear........ahem
The track was open, so we went straight out following Ed on 2 sighting laps each. I drove first with Dan as passenger, Robin was in the other car with Neil as passenger.
After 1 lap was completed, we swapped positions behind Ed, Neil followed Ed and I dropped in behind Neil. This was to be the most helpful exercise of the day. We were all linked with radios and meant that Ed could talk us through gears, lines etc.
The most useful tip was Ed telling me which were the 5 most dangerous corners on the circuit, so long as I remembered those, there was a good chance things wouldn't get to hairy.
My confidence was lifted mnassivley by these laps, and would recommend anyone to do the same if they get the chance. I faced the rest of the day with real enthusiasm.
Once the sighting laps were completed, we were let out on our own (I shared trhe car with Dan, so whilst I was driving, he was passenger and vice versa)
I was amazed at just how well the car handled, great brakes, and felt really good turning in. It also becmae apparent that less and less traffic was passing me. The last time I came here, I was so intimidated by other ringers that I spent nearly all the time looking in my mirror with an indicator on. This time I actually drove the circuit and found I had peopel moving out of the way for me, thus allowing me to take proper (well better at least) lines into conrers.
I have very few pics of me on track as we spent so much time out there, but here is one I found. This was taken at 10:30, but does tend to show the commitment that I was at last giving the job in the hand.
We stopped for a bite to eat just the once when the track closed (the only closure all day) at 11:00, and continued lapping until 17:30. Between us, we managed 22 laps, not a bad feat. The car park itself was busy, but the track seemed to be relatively quiet all day. This was a good thing, especially as so many people had commented how mad it would be over easter, it never really materialised.
All the laps we completed (and petrol) came as part of the package, so we really got good value.
Our biggest embarrassment came when we (sorry Dan, I) mislaid the ticket in the car near the barrier.....thanks to Dunk at Big power for these pics of us trying to find it for the best part of 5 minutes...
still looking.....
Not found it yet.....
Must be here somewhere.....
Where are you.....
I finally found it above the rear view morror. (yes, I'm sorry Dan, I am an idiot)
Anyway, the day came to a close at 17:30 hours and we retired to the bar for a few beers
The chief sponsor of our tour was....
and having heard that Dan was in town, the MD of Bitburger had bought a new car, knowing that sales would be through the roof over the weekend...
Ian Howell had kindly taken me out on a passenger lap in his 200sx a little earlier, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. Ian you were awesome, I loved every moment of it, so smooth and so precise, and so calm. Many thanks.
He then took Neil out, and when they returned, Neils face summed it all up. He loved it too.
After that, Neil, Dan and Robin headed back to the hotels to get ready, I took a few landscape photos and headed off to the Northllop photo shoot.
I had to park outside the Ringhaus when I got back, but took this photo of my as it seemed a great opportunity...
Showered and changed, we headed off to the Pistenklause. It was 8:30pm, and didnt think we had any chance of a table. Saw Gary there, said hello and continued to consume beer. After a couple of pints a table became available (not sure what Robin promised the waiter to get it), and sat down for the only meal you can (or should) have there.....steak on the stone
Robin even started to moo like the beast from which it had came...
Neil on the other hand needed to be careful he didnt start eating his own belly, attacking the meat with such gusto...
After the meal, the events of the day just caught up on us. we were knackered. We headed off home about midnight, exhausted.
Sunday 8th April
I was awake at 07:30, adn just felt the urge to get down to the circuit. I needed to do a lap in the S3. Dan was having a lie in, so I called Robin. He was ready in 5 mins and off we went. A 4 lap ticket was purchased.
The track was so empty. Had great lap and was really pleased to be out there again.
Having been out with me, Robin decided it was time to take the Boxster out. It was a "scenic lap", however, Robin had broken his Ring cherry. Great stuff.
When I got back to the Car park, Sabine had heard I was there, and gave me a knowing smile........dont worry Sabine, its our secret ;o)
The rest of the mornign was spent taking photos. Tried to get a few of the cars I recognised, but it aint easy !!
What is this ? An evo estate car ??
This sounded gorgous...
This guy was having fun...
First time I'd seen this in action.....
This Megane was lapping throughout the day, and the guy was using hand controls too which shows great commitment.
One more of Leaving easy
Videe attempt here......this was stag doo. Very funny.....
We had a walk to more spectator points......
Captured a few more piccies with my new camera, I'm useless but trying to get better !
We then went into Adenau for lunch.......
and fuelled up prior to the reported 800 metre walk to AF
Great views on the way up....
But boy, is a long way or what !! Felt like 1800 metres to an out of condition 36 year old......worth the walk when we got there though.....
Back to the cars. I've tried to load some more video here, not sure if it will work or not....
This sounded awesome....
Show off.......
We'd seen enough. Time to head off on the walk down which was far easier....
Robin had taken on too much fluid.........
At the bottom of the hill it was retro classic spotting competition.......the guys were loving this...
Check the door handles on this.....
and then some of Dagenhams finest....
Back to the track. And one lap with the S3 and Neil as passenger....
Sunday evening was the big meal out iin Adenau. What a great time we had too. Not many pics from here as I didn't take my camera, however this was taken on Dans camera phone. Apparantley Dan and Neil had been sat at the bar enjoying a ciggie, when a young girl approached Dan and proclaimed "you have big ears and are weird"...........mustard !
Neil came back and spread the news, we were all in fits of laughter, and then capture this shot...........priceless!.
Thank you young lady, you made our weekend.
Anyway, the evening came to a close, we got a taxi back to the hotel and it was lights out for us.
Monday 9th April
The car park was empty at 8am, and Ken was rthere already having travelled over during the night. It was good to catch up with him again, and I'm sure Chris and you will have a great time this year with the Golf being left there.
However it was to be a sad day for another Golf of Northloop. Nigel had spent so much time getting his car ready, to see it all end in 30 mins time was painful. However, here is a few pics of it still looking fantastic.
Dan had finally found a cure for his big ears problem..........
Many thanks to Nigel for what was to be the penultimate lap for the Golf when he took Dan out. He really enjoyed his first ever passenger lap.
Ian kindly offered to show me the lines by allowing me to follow him, this was very helpful (and I took T13 the best I had done all weekend). Cheers bud !
Whilst Robin went out with Nigel, myself and Dan went to check out. It was whilst doing this we got a call from Robin to tell me of the incident that had struck them. Nightmare, shock, gutted. Thats all I can say really.
We got back to the car park, informed Ian of what had happened, everyone was concerned, thankfully everyone was ok though.
It was a sad way to end a great weekend, but I cannot thank you enough for how welcome the Northloop folks made us feel.
Special mention to :
Ian and family, thanks for the laps, the info, the knowledge, the banter.
Nige and Family, all of the above, and also for helping to organise the meal.
Myself and Dan had to bail out at 10:30 as our ferry was booked at 16:00. (Robin and Neil had inadvertently booked the 18:00 so we had to leave you guys, sorry!)
We made it to Dunkerque at 15:00, and said goodbye to a great weekend......
Dan wasn't happy to leave the Bitburger behind, the ships offering tasted like bleach in comparison......
But he did find the energy to salute the Bitburger.......
Great weekend guys, cant wait to do it again.
