Denmark - Flying the flag
Discussion
I've been off to Denmark again flying the Noble flag. I take part in this http://www.sportscarevent.dk/. Some background. Cars cost rather a lot in Denmark due to their 170% car TAX. Yup, that's right 170%! So people drive around in basic models and never see nice cars. Someone with a Boxter is a big I am... So, the public who are car crazy pay for passenger trips. For the Noble, 2 laps (about 1.5KM) it's 500Kr (about £45). The driver takes a part of the takings and the rest goes to a children's cancer charity.
It was a very tight track this time. Basically all near hairpins with a couple of long straights. On the longest I just hit the limiter in 4th before a monster stop. One twisty bit was all 1st or second. Almost perfect for the car then :hehe:.
How did it do? Well, it was quite easy keeping up with the Kleemann SLK 55K S8 (650BHP). He just couldn't get the power down and I was with him all the way down the straight, then just out braked him with ease :hehe:. RE: the brakes. I had the Danish Formula Ford 1800 champ in the car for a bit. Even had him pressing the passenger brake pedal I could leave it so late! Only the Gallardo could stop in a similar way. I fact that was the next fastest to the Noble (and probably could have beaten it if he'd switched ESP off).
Generally everyone loved the Noble. 'I see this car on TopGear, it is brilliant', etc etc.
It was great to get passenger rides in the other cars too. All the other drivers were good and apart from a few rather lairy moments in a 550 I never though we were going grass cutting.... Thanks to one and all.
Oh and only one big disappointment. The F430. Great F1 gearbox (better then the E-Gear Gallardo, but I still wouldn't have one), really great sound above 4500RPM but at tickover? Moped. I kid you not! Close your eyes and there's 50cc's of throbbing power right next to you. That'll have to be fixed....
It was a very tight track this time. Basically all near hairpins with a couple of long straights. On the longest I just hit the limiter in 4th before a monster stop. One twisty bit was all 1st or second. Almost perfect for the car then :hehe:.
How did it do? Well, it was quite easy keeping up with the Kleemann SLK 55K S8 (650BHP). He just couldn't get the power down and I was with him all the way down the straight, then just out braked him with ease :hehe:. RE: the brakes. I had the Danish Formula Ford 1800 champ in the car for a bit. Even had him pressing the passenger brake pedal I could leave it so late! Only the Gallardo could stop in a similar way. I fact that was the next fastest to the Noble (and probably could have beaten it if he'd switched ESP off).
Generally everyone loved the Noble. 'I see this car on TopGear, it is brilliant', etc etc.
It was great to get passenger rides in the other cars too. All the other drivers were good and apart from a few rather lairy moments in a 550 I never though we were going grass cutting.... Thanks to one and all.
Oh and only one big disappointment. The F430. Great F1 gearbox (better then the E-Gear Gallardo, but I still wouldn't have one), really great sound above 4500RPM but at tickover? Moped. I kid you not! Close your eyes and there's 50cc's of throbbing power right next to you. That'll have to be fixed....
tony_996hasgone said:
...and how were the police on this visit Phil?? Bet you didn't make it into the national press either??
Didn't see the cops at all...which was nice! Bo made a classic comment when we arrived. Brian and I jumped out of the cars and he shakes or hands saying 'Ah, the bad boys are back!'
Not sure about the press yet
It was a much better trip time wise although arriving at Cuxhaven at 16:55 for the 17:00 ferry was cutting it a little fine (and it left at 17:00 sharp). I'm sure at trip to the Kidd is on the cards soon so Brian can recount his near death experience on the way there and various other stuff.
you know that standard supermarket offer - "buy one get one free"...well the danes have an alternative standard offer that they frustratingly relate to their cars...Buy 3 get one!
My Danish relatives all love the Noble!...but then I even got gawpy looks when I drove over there in a Mazda MX-5 several years back...says it all really.
My Danish relatives all love the Noble!...but then I even got gawpy looks when I drove over there in a Mazda MX-5 several years back...says it all really.
If they like Noble's then they should definitely come along to next years event! I've been told that I actually got the tax figures wrong. It's 180% tax and then 25% VAT! Fuel's £1+ a Ltr now as well.
Makes me laugh when I go into General Gassing and listen to all the people complaining about our costs....
Makes me laugh when I go into General Gassing and listen to all the people complaining about our costs....
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