RE: Dirk Schoysman in a GT-R: Time For Tea?
Discussion
I've had the absolute pleasure of being trained by Dirk at the 'Ring. He's one of the most genuine, humble and interesting guys I've had the pleasure of spending a day with, and could talk for hours about racing. Zero pretense, no ego at all, and a mighty peddler....in the most uneblieveably smooth way possible! And what he doesn't know about the Nurburgring and it's nuiances, simply isn't worth knowning. And he literally always has 10mins for a chat every time I see him. Top bloke of the toppest variety 
Edited by RacerMike on Thursday 24th April 10:35
Debaser said:
Great video.
I don't understand his comment that the car is a bit too stiff for the Nordschleife and would be better suited to a smooth track like the GP circuit. From what I've learned on PH, the Nordschleife is as smooth as any track in the world and not at all bumpy.
Trust me it's bumpy!I don't understand his comment that the car is a bit too stiff for the Nordschleife and would be better suited to a smooth track like the GP circuit. From what I've learned on PH, the Nordschleife is as smooth as any track in the world and not at all bumpy.
I had the pleasure to work with Dirk for many years while he was a 'humble' vehicle dynamics engineer for Nissan Europe - even then he was fabulously smooth and quick round the 'ring and astonishingly relaxed irrespective of the level of commitment. I am honoured to say that I shared several of his 10,000 laps in a variety of vehicles and enjoyed every second.
MattOz said:
Shins R34 was an absolute beast. Remember trying to follow it down the B660 one day when I had my R33 GTR and he just buggered off! 
I borrowed this R34 off Shin a few times and it was such a great car. My overriding memory was taking it down to Kent and Devon one Christmas and terrifying my now wife. I went to the ring on another trip with Dirk in my R33 and he scared the life out of me, so much so I could't do any more laps with him so I just let him "fill his boots" in my GTR
Curator said:
I had the pleasure to work with Dirk for many years while he was a 'humble' vehicle dynamics engineer for Nissan Europe - even then he was fabulously smooth and quick round the 'ring and astonishingly relaxed irrespective of the level of commitment. I am honoured to say that I shared several of his 10,000 laps in a variety of vehicles and enjoyed every second.
I know what you mean... to this day my two favourite laps are still both one where I wasn't driving.
RobbyJ said:
I borrowed this R34 off Shin a few times and it was such a great car. My overriding memory was taking it down to Kent and Devon one Christmas and terrifying my now wife.
I went to the ring on another trip with Dirk in my R33 and he scared the life out of me, so much so I could't do any more laps with him so I just let him "fill his boots" in my GTR
With the first engine it generally ran at about 550BHP but the raw power figure didn't do it justice as it was just so well sorted all round.I went to the ring on another trip with Dirk in my R33 and he scared the life out of me, so much so I could't do any more laps with him so I just let him "fill his boots" in my GTR
I remember getting a bloody puncture in Westminster once when I had the car and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere. I finally realised I had one at home with glass on top acting as a side table so had to go home to get it and get back to fit it, not the fun weekend of car action I'd been after
edit: somehow managed to quote myself, whoops!
RobbyJ said:
...I finally realised I had one at home with glass on top acting as a side table...
Brilliant 
Having driven the car, do you think the speedo was over-reading slightly as someone else has suggested, or was it THAT quick?
Considering the almost brick-like aero of the R34, that's bloody impressive pace.
TheJimi said:
Considering the almost brick-like aero of the R34, that's bloody impressive pace.
I've got to think it's over-reading. Perhaps only by 10-20mph at the top end, but 140mph over Flugplazt without serious downforce would see you in the barrier. I tried going over there at 120mph in a heavier car and only just had time to brake for the double right hander after it landed....And 180mph on the run up to Schwedenkreuze would need north of 800bhp I'd say. Fastest I've seen there is 160 indicated in a 550bhp sportscar, and that was with a decent exit from Flugplatz.
Edited by RacerMike on Thursday 24th April 13:57
TheJimi said:
Brilliant
Having driven the car, do you think the speedo was over-reading slightly as someone else has suggested, or was it THAT quick?
Considering the almost brick-like aero of the R34, that's bloody impressive pace.
It did over read for sure, I can't recall quite by how much but it was off by quite a bit. Most of the Japanese import Skyines I drove over read by a fair margin. Having driven the car, do you think the speedo was over-reading slightly as someone else has suggested, or was it THAT quick?
Considering the almost brick-like aero of the R34, that's bloody impressive pace.
TheJimi said:
Considering the almost brick-like aero of the R34, that's bloody impressive pace.
Haha that reminds me of a funny story too. I was at a dinner organised by Shin with a gentleman from Nissan whose name escapes me, he was the head of the Skyline / GTR programme. The dinner was to discuss what British owners wanted to see in the next Skyline / R35. One of the dinner guests asked him if the R34 had ever been tested in a wind tunnel as it didn’t look like it, the chap from Nissan looked like he had been slapped in the face, hard! Whilst he sat stunned we pointed out that it had been extensively wind tunnel tested but it didn’t go far to turning round the mood for the rest of the meal Haha that reminds me of a funny story too. I was at a dinner organised by Shin with a gentleman from Nissan whose name escapes me, he was the head of the Skyline / GTR programme. The dinner was to discuss what British owners wanted to see in the next Skyline / R35. One of the dinner guests asked him if the R34 had ever been tested in a wind tunnel as it didn’t look like it, the chap from Nissan looked like he had been slapped in the face, hard! Whilst he sat stunned we pointed out that it had been extensively wind tunnel tested but it didn’t go far to turning round the mood for the rest of the meal
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That would have been Hiroshi Tamura - another epic enthusiast, talented driver and all-round good sport. Introduced me to the sport (and art) of driving rapidly on the Yokohama freeway...
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That would have been Hiroshi Tamura - another epic enthusiast, talented driver and all-round good sport. Introduced me to the sport (and art) of driving rapidly on the Yokohama freeway...
Incredible car, even if the speedo is over-reading. Judging by the livery I'm guessing it's a Nismo R34? Sure I saw 'R-Tune' on the door as well, and I know Nismo did make R-Tune and Z-Tune versions (go look up the Z-Tune, it's a monster )
I'd love an R34 but the prices are crazy currently (especially when compared to a R33 etc). This'll have to do
)I'd love an R34 but the prices are crazy currently (especially when compared to a R33 etc). This'll have to do
civiclegend said:
Impressive composure, but take all those speeds with a pinch of salt. The R34 does not do 120 mph in 3rd, might clip 100 on the limiter. I can only assume that the variance gets further from reality the higher its reading too.
This car is heavily modified (initially by Mines, no less) so it's not really a stretch to presume the ratios and/or final drive have been modified. In fact, I'd say it was a given in this case.I can't recall if it had modified ratios but as you say the car had every mines part for an R34 they did! It drove like no other R34 I've ever driven. For me the most impressive thing about it was the throttle response, with the carbon propshaft, lightweight wheels and modded gearbox etc it felt so damn quick to respond. Great car and an even greater driver (Dirk that is, not me very obviously!).
The speedo reading does look to be rather generous, given that was an 8:03 lap with Dirk not even trying. The speedo made the 80-140 time look very impressive indeed, but the current hot hatches that are trying to crack the 8 minute mark can't accelerate anything like that and they put in similar times, so I'd guess that speedo was a good way out. Still, that does not detract from what was clearly a masterful drive from Dirk. Quick, smooth and utterly relaxed at all times, the vision of composure and a total contrast to some of the youtube videos I've seen of wannabe ringmeisters, sawing away at the wheel, stamping on the brakes and throttle etc. Smooth is fast and fast is smooth. Top watching.
Met Shin a few times first time at Gaydon back in 2003 I think it was, great guy and his R34 GTR was simply amazing! I think he now works for Nissan/NISMO?
A few of the GTROC club members were also there at that track day and feature in the Duke DVD, recent posts over the last few days when this video was posted again. Have seen comments that the speedo is out of about 30mph due to running different diff ratios.
The Mines R34 GTR runs different diffs which help it's insane rev'ability
A few of the GTROC club members were also there at that track day and feature in the Duke DVD, recent posts over the last few days when this video was posted again. Have seen comments that the speedo is out of about 30mph due to running different diff ratios.
The Mines R34 GTR runs different diffs which help it's insane rev'ability
Awesome piece of kit and driver, the R34 reminds me of the video below which has long been a favorite of mine, the mines skyline is a must watch!
Talk about throttle response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8vAxzLApPs
Talk about throttle response.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8vAxzLApPs
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