Monday 19th March 2012

PH Blog: a return to the 'ring

It's been nearly three years since Dan last drove a lap - will he remember where it goes?

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Last time I went to the 'ring it was less about the driving and more about engaging in something approaching 'proper journalism', finding out about the mess left by the NuroDisney development. As a 10-year 'ring veteran there was plenty of personal experience (expertise is probably going a bit far) to weave into the story, but an actual lap? Nah. And nor have I done one since 2009.

Which feels a bit weird especially given, for

R26 one of Dan's previous 'ring toys

a period, the 'ring was a huge part of my life and one that I just seemed to turn my back on for a bit. It's kind of like when you lose touch with a friend without realising. You go from regular calls, trips and nights out in the pub. To, without really noticing, the occasional text or Facebook update.

Indeed, it's more than simply an analogy because there really are friends I associate with my years of going to the 'ring that I've just kinda lost touch with. We had the best of times and worst of times together, put in a hell of a lot of laps, ate a lot of steak on stones, talked a lot of crap and, on occasion, paid for a few bits of Armco too. And then I just walked away from it all.

When I first went to the 'ring it was probably just in that transitionary period between being a need-to-know, Fight Club-esque secret society and the global phenomenon it is now. Hell, even the Americans are now hooked on the the 'ring lap dick measuring - at the LA show last year it seemed no car, be it Mustang or Camaro, could show its face without a Nordschleife on-board vid and seven-something laptime. Things have changed in the decade we've been acquainted, that's for sure.

'Ring bound Porsches at Eurotunnel

The attempt to turn the Nurburgring into a global megabrand has met with mixed success of course, but the track hasn't changed and I'm still at a loss as to why, after all that time (and money...) invested learning the damned thing, I then seemed happy to walk away. Maybe it was the realisation that the last lap I did - a wonderful, deserted run round in an Exige S on a closed trackday rather than the Tourist Drive - was about as good as it was going to get and that's taken the wind out of the desire to try and go any better. Weird sensation, but I guess it does happen!

We're still talking about it of course, not least via man on the ground Dale Lomas's Ringside Seat updates.And I was struck at yesterday's Sunday Service by the sheer number of 'ring stickers on the back of PHers' cars. Clearly the 'ring still matters collectively. It certainly does going by the number of Porsches here as I write at the Eurotunnel all headed the same way.

Happy memories; should they stay that?

Will it still have the same personal magic for me though? I guess I'll find out tomorrow as PH gatecrashes the Destination Nurburgring trackday in force. And I'll know it does if that feeling of butterflies in the stomach after turning off the E42 at Prum and onto the backroads into the Eifel kick in once again. One thing's for sure though, with Chris Harris, Dale and myself out there all pursuing personal projects you may be hearing a bit more 'ring chatter than normal on here in coming days and weeks.

Dan

[mclaud3]

"put in a hell of a lot of laps, ate a lot of steak on stones, talked a lot of crap" - perfect and succinct summary of every trip so far, need to get back there pronto

[Caractacus]

It's been far too long since my (our, as swmbo also like to drive) last trip...2008 iirc. Time flies.

If I get my A into G I'll do organised TD's not TF laps tho...

Looking forward to the updates from those in PH Towers

[Joe911]

Dan - have fun - and be careful out there.
If you're still there Saturday - I'm there for the VLN test, maybe we could meet up.

[dot1989]

That Megane R26 looks amazing and I bet handles a dream around the Nurburgring!

[Alex]

I've been every year for the last 7 years, but the insurance situation is beginning to scare me now.

This year, we're doing a trackday at Spa instead.

[Alex]

The Crack Fox said:

PLEASE stop starting sentances with 'hell', it's really irritating !

Hell, maybe you should learn to spell 'sentence' and how to use a semi-colon.

[4340BB]

My last trip was last year in September. It was one that has stuck with me though as we were first on scene to quite a big accident that involved a Clio cup on it's roof at ' miss hit miss '.
We helped out but it certainly makes you think. One of our group actually said he was not sure if he would carry on going.
We have had a good innings there for the past 6 years or so.
I certainly am not throwing the towel in yet as I love it too much.
It's a great place and I can't wait to get back out.
Bring on the Erdinger.

[C8PPO]

I'll borrow another quote from the article:

article said:

When I first went to the 'ring it was probably just in that transitionary period between being a need-to-know, Fight Club-esque secret society and the global phenomenon it is now. .............. Things have changed in the decade we've been acquainted, that's for sure.

And sadly, much for the worse in almost every respect. I did a couple of laps late last summer as part of a driving weekend which "just so happened" to pass along the 258, but I don't know when (and if I'm honest I doubt whether) I'll ever be back.

It's a great shame. After well into 3 figures worth of laps, along with some sessions of closed section training, I too knew the track well enough to play out a lap in my head; not sure I could do that now, at least not accurately. Seldom was the term "victim of it's own success" more apt.

[Repent]

Genuinely aspirational towards going before it got so 'popular', knew about it thanks to being the closet petrolhead/anorak I am, but rapidly my hopes were shattered as I waited to finish off a few key areas of my old cars spec so it was worth the trip, and it seemed to become every mans mecca overnight. I almost hold something against the lads at TG and the guys behind Forza and GT for it, I wanted to go for the driving but over that time all the local creditcard toting dheads started going in their new cars, not being stereotypical atall it literally became a regular thing to hear of another guy with a nice car who couldnt drive for st but thought he could was off to loose his N plate.

Then came the sea of 'ring stickers on the back of every warm hatchback about. Then the hilarious never'been stickers. Etc etc etc.

Ill stick with the roads of Wales and the odd track day here now thanks, followed all the recent issues there with interest too and it just doesnt seem like Id be able to enjoy it for what it is anymore. Especially with the, as always, fortunate resource of PH where there are always people in the know to tell you whats going on. People dont talk positively of it atall anymore .

[HereBeMonsters]

I went a few times a year from about 2003 to 2008. Missed a year, then went back for my stag in 2009. Not been back since, nor had the urge, despite having cars since then that are a lot more ring-worthy.

Might go for the next Grand Prix that's there, see what it's like...

[cj08aaz]

please ph give me a job !

[TAS1981]

cj08aaz said:

please ph give me a job !

1 post in 19 months?

I don't think writing is your thing....

[NISR227]

I need to take my yellow R26 out there too, it looks at home in that picture!

[y2blade]

TAS1981 said:

cj08aaz said:

please ph give me a job !

1 post in 19 months?

I don't think writing is your thing....

[Fireblade69]

Not going back there unless it's a trackday. I quite like my car, bike and other assets and don't want to have to sell them to keep Allianz going thank you very much.