Wednesday 18th May 2005

Track it at the 'Ring

RMA offers track day next to F1 boys

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Drive like you're on fire

Image courtesy Ben Lovejoy

Track day organiser RMA is offering a unique track day at the Nurburgring.

It has managed to rent the infamous Nordschleife exclusively on 27 May -- the Friday before the Grand Prix weekend. Surprisingly, RMA has also managed to secure accommodation at a nearby five-star hotel and is offering packages from just £455 to include accommodation, track time and channel crossing by Eurotunnel or P&O Ferries.

As the RMA day unfolds on the Nordschleife, the F1 teams will be on the south circuit which at points run within a few metres of each other.

"We have priced this extremely competitively in the hope of building our already excellent relationship with the Rings management and maybe securing a couple of days together this time next year when the weather is likely to be a little more welcoming than our traditional two days in November", said RMA managing director Graham Clarke.

When: Friday 27 May 2005

Where: Nürburgring Norschleife

More on 01628 779000 or [e-mail]

[macg]

So who has driven the 'Ring? Is it any good?

Anyone care to own up to/brag about lap times (include car details).

I have completed it in the new M5 in 7 minutes 30 seconds.

Ok, so that was on GT4. But I am interested in hearing who has done the real thing.

[Joe911]

macg said:

So who has driven the 'Ring? Is it any good?

You're joking, right?

[iguana]

macg said:

So who has driven the 'Ring? Is it any good? But I am interested in hearing who has done the real thing.

Yip & so have most petrolheads, just like those who kneel on bathmats everyday to pray have to go to Mecca.

Lots of threads have been done on 'ring trips on this forum & gen gassing forum, use the search function.

[jacobyte]

macg said:

So who has driven the 'Ring?

Once or twice

macg said:

Is it any good?

Does the Pope sh1t in the woods?

macg said:

Anyone care to own up to/brag about lap times (include car details).

Loads of different cars, between 7 and 12 minutes BTG (7 was not on a tourist day). I'm sure there will be a few more along soon.

macg said:

I have completed it in the new M5 in 7 minutes 30 seconds. Ok, so that was on GT4. But I am interested in hearing who has done the real thing.

Forget GT4 - that's a computer game. Very well rendered scenery, but nothing like the way it drive in real life. Have a look at the Alzen, Stippler, Scheid and M3GTR laps, downloadable from various places.

[fergus]

jacobyte said:

Loads of different cars, between 7 and 12 minutes BTG (7 was not on a tourist day). I'm sure there will be a few more along soon.

7 mins BTG is mind bendingly fast, non public day or not! Was that on a VLN test day or actual race?

Very impressive.

What does Hr. Alzen go round in, in the 700hp 911?

[jacobyte]

VLN race (BTG calculated from full lap incl GP track).

Alzen would do about 6.20 BTG. Now THAT is fast.

I guess Bellof's lap would be about 5.50 BTG

[kedelbach]

macg said:

Anyone care to own up to/brag about lap times (include car details).

unscientifically measured, but approx BTGs for me:

Opel Speedster 150hp: 8:50-9min
Smart Roadster 82hp: 9:40 (pretty accurately timed, since several Ringers have a little bet going on who's fastest - one cocky VLN driver got his Smoadster rental to 9:26, never to be repeated since that required taking Schwedenkreuz flat :O, which even in a Smoady is a frightening 185-190kph)
Beetle Cabrio tdi: about 10:30, 4 up
BMW 116, 115hp: about 9:30
Alfa 156 2l SW: 9:20

I don't brake that late, or really push the faster bits (Miss-hit-miss, SX, Angstkurv etc), and usually have to drive home 700km, so these times could all be improved with bigger balls. But then again I haven't crashed yet either

Kurt

www.nurburgring.org.uk/who/details.php?u=167

[kedelbach]

I wouldn't "forget" GT4 nas preparation for the real thing, just play it intelligently. That means a sensible car (can even chose many that you might actually rent, like a Golf, BMW 1er, A3, Mondeo etc), immediately change the "sport" (cup?) tires for "road", turn off over/under steer control, and enter the "family cup" on the Ring. Turn the difficulty way down, and just try to follow the AI cars round. They usually have decent lines, ok braking points, and are quick even on "slow" settings.
This would be very helpful in at least knowing what is coming up behind the next blind turn, therefore getting you up to a reasonable speed in a shorter time (and not have bikes or GT3s closing on you with huge speed differences)

cheers
Kurt

jacobyte said:

macg said: I have completed it in the new M5 in 7 minutes 30 seconds. Ok, so that was on GT4. But I am interested in hearing who has done the real thing. Forget GT4 - that's a computer game. Very well rendered scenery, but nothing like the way it drive in real life. Have a look at the Alzen, Stippler, Scheid and M3GTR laps, downloadable from various places.

[Joe911]

My best measured time, public day, earlier this year:
8:12 BTG - 964RS - 289bhp - Dunlop SS-R's
(so that's roughly 8:37 full lap)

[davyboy]

8.28 944 turbo

9.01 Clio Cup

10.14 after 2 laps in my daily drive Astra Sri.

All time taken from video camera's after the event, and before the camera ban.

[kedelbach]

davyboy said:

8.28 944 turbo 9.01 Clio Cup 10.14 after 2 laps in my daily drive Astra Sri. All time taken from video camera's after the event, and before the camera ban.

I use the car stereo - hit play on the 12+minute song I burned to CD at the bridge, then check the counter at the Gantry
Usually just do this once or twice per trip - if you worry too much about time, very bad things can happen :/

Would love to try a 944 Turbo some time - had a couple paxes in Ben Lovejoy's NA, fun car!

Kurt

[davyboy]

If the seats free - jump in.

In fact this weekend it was never free, and all 25 laps were with someone in the car.

Dave

BTW the Clio is more fun, but I guess you have been in Ed's.

[jacobyte]

kedelbach said:

I wouldn't "forget" GT4

I have to forget it: I haven't got it yet, as I keep spending all my money on flights to cancelled races

[fergus]

davyboy said:

In fact this weekend it was never free, and all 25 laps were with someone in the car.

Dave

I'll have to apologise for taking the edge off your two-up times due to my enormous bulk

Cheers for the laps fella!

PS can recommend a lap with Dave as it's a comfy fast, smooth lap in the 944 turbo!

>> Edited by fergus on Friday 20th May 17:44

[kedelbach]

this you??

www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image15.html

this was my ride last weekend:

www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image16.html
www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image159.html
www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image168.html

as with you, the passenger seat was never empty, ok except for a few laps at 8AM saturday morning when all sane people were asleep..

yeah, Ed's a maniac, and Clios are quick, but the seats need better bolstering )

cheers
Kurt

davyboy said:

If the seats free - jump in. In fact this weekend it was never free, and all 25 laps were with someone in the car. Dave BTW the Clio is more fun, but I guess you have been in Ed's.

>> Edited by kedelbach on Sunday 22 May 11:50

[davyboy]

This is me!

Behind TH for 3 laps - apart from a short break while a care drove straight in to the armco at MHM.

www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image41.html

Interesting my lights are working OK in this one, only a few laps later?!?!?

www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image64.html

[kedelbach]

nice pic, and TH with an empty passenger seat!!
The brakes in that car are savage - I was trying to get my brother in his car for a lap, as he does some mild tracking of a '82 911SC in the States, but would have been forced to convert it to RS spec after getting a taste of the Yellow Peril

Was that a stickered up Civic? Saw them sweeping earth off the track around MHM...

Cool wheels on your 944 - have to keep an eye out for you next trip (probably July/Aug but not set in stone yet) and get a lap!

cheers
Kurt

davyboy said:

This is me! Behind TH for 3 laps - apart from a short break while a care drove straight in to the armco at MHM. <a href="www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image41.html">www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image41.html</a> Interesting my lights are working OK in this one, only a few laps later?!?!? <a href="www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image64.html">www.nurburgring.net/images/may04/imagepages/image64.html</a>

>> Edited by kedelbach on Monday 23 May 08:03

[Hammerwerfer]

kedelbach said:

yeah, Ed's a maniac, and Clios are quick, but the seats need better bolstering )

Huh? Althought I was questioning my sanity Saturday when my winter tyres finally wore out on the 540iT. Round they were not, and it seemed a miracle they were still holding air! At least they had the decency to make a vibration before they let go altogether. Ring Racing had a discarded set in the proper size on the junk heap so it was just mount a couple of those babies and out for some more laps.

Of course I won't mention opening day last year where I tested the Renault tyre goo for 10 laps...

>> Edited by Hammerwerfer on Monday 23 May 12:02

[kedelbach]

is 'tire goo' the foam stuff for leaks?? I've driven thousands of miles after using that, but never on a track! Only a maniac would do that

Kurt

Hammerwerfer said:

kedelbach said: yeah, Ed's a maniac, and Clios are quick, but the seats need better bolstering ) Of course I won't mention opening day last year where I tested the Renault tyre goo for 10 laps... >> Edited by Hammerwerfer on Monday 23 May 12:02

[55jnj]

So who's going with RMA then on Friday ? (I am).

& Kedelbach/other locals - what's the weather forecast please ?


To you guys who've never driven the 'ring as a "closed" circuit, only on public days - you don't know what you're missing. Flying laps of the WHOLE circuit (therefore not missing out on the 2 mile straight), not partial BTG laps, medics, marshals, flags, no bikes/buses/coaches/japanese tourists out of their car taking photos etc etc. Decent track disciplines, driver briefings etc. Filming certainly wasn't a problem last November (having been banned on public days for some time), not sure what current thinking is though. Timing is strictly a no, no.

I've done both public & "closed" days & IMHO "closed" circuit laps are MUCH better.

As far as this trip is concerned, when you consider £445 included unlimited laps, return crossing & 5 star hotel, this is an absolute bargain. Worth going on RMA days just to see some of the machinery that usually turns up.