Making dreams true - Trip to Nurburgring
Discussion
Hi,
Yeah, finally managed to do it. I got the tickets boat tickets booked to Rostock for the trip I have been wanting to done since I got my two. I probably will take a decent camera so ill be able to post pics from the trip. Ive arranged it so, that I should have about a week of driving time - from 12th to 17th.
The fun part is I am actually trying to do this with a budget - so far:
Accomodation - 50 € / night = 250€, small hotel with secure car park - 20 kms from the ring meant for drivers. I found this when I was browsing forums...
Ferry tickets from Hanko to Rostock - 360€. One passenger, one car, no cabin. So ill be sleeping on the deck.
I should be in germany around 2200 on 11th - And I will be driving through Germany on EMPTY autobahns during the night.
Gas will probably cost 160€ there and back + whatever I spend there - so add 200€. + Food, another 100€.
100 - 200 € for lap tickets?
So budget will be 1270€ + more for unexpected costs.
Any suggestions for following:
1. How can I stay awake during the night while driving? Case of redbull? Bear in mind, I do not drink coffee, so caffeine will hit me like energizer bunny.
2. What to take?
So far:
(Helmet, clothes, passport, ka-bar, camera, toothbrush, the usual. Not listed here.)
- Fire extinguisher (Foam or powder)
- Hi-visibility jacket
- Bigger tool chest (This was enough to do an engine swap)
- proper floorjack
- Oil, coolant, water.
- Green card (insurance certificate). I checked insurance - valid on track as well.
- Lap timer. Not going to take one. Hell no. I do not know the track well enough and its pretty dangerous place. I will not take any unnecessary risks by trying to make a good time. Ill just have as much fun as I can possibly have while minimizing the risks.
- Satnav? Im thinking about buying a cheap one with european maps, adds 100€ to budget. But then again, being ex-military, land navigation is a hardly a challenge. I do know how to read a map.
Any suggestions are more than welcome.
Yeah, finally managed to do it. I got the tickets boat tickets booked to Rostock for the trip I have been wanting to done since I got my two. I probably will take a decent camera so ill be able to post pics from the trip. Ive arranged it so, that I should have about a week of driving time - from 12th to 17th.
The fun part is I am actually trying to do this with a budget - so far:
Accomodation - 50 € / night = 250€, small hotel with secure car park - 20 kms from the ring meant for drivers. I found this when I was browsing forums...
Ferry tickets from Hanko to Rostock - 360€. One passenger, one car, no cabin. So ill be sleeping on the deck.
I should be in germany around 2200 on 11th - And I will be driving through Germany on EMPTY autobahns during the night.
Gas will probably cost 160€ there and back + whatever I spend there - so add 200€. + Food, another 100€.
100 - 200 € for lap tickets?
So budget will be 1270€ + more for unexpected costs.
Any suggestions for following:
1. How can I stay awake during the night while driving? Case of redbull? Bear in mind, I do not drink coffee, so caffeine will hit me like energizer bunny.
2. What to take?
So far:
(Helmet, clothes, passport, ka-bar, camera, toothbrush, the usual. Not listed here.)
- Fire extinguisher (Foam or powder)
- Hi-visibility jacket
- Bigger tool chest (This was enough to do an engine swap)
- proper floorjack
- Oil, coolant, water.
- Green card (insurance certificate). I checked insurance - valid on track as well.
- Lap timer. Not going to take one. Hell no. I do not know the track well enough and its pretty dangerous place. I will not take any unnecessary risks by trying to make a good time. Ill just have as much fun as I can possibly have while minimizing the risks.
- Satnav? Im thinking about buying a cheap one with european maps, adds 100€ to budget. But then again, being ex-military, land navigation is a hardly a challenge. I do know how to read a map.
Any suggestions are more than welcome.
Oh, I almost forgot the most important part. The car.
Its a 91 turbo. Totally rebuilt. Must have cost me around 30k$.
What has been done to the car?
Well, I got it from Germany 5 years ago, the car spent most of its life in Starnberg, Germany. I bought it after I got discharged and drove it while in university. 2 years ago, the 3S-GE (well build engine, must have produced over 180 bhp, with LSD gear box) checked out. I thought long what to do and then made budget and started ordering parts.
I found almost new rev2 JDM turbo engine - with the original jdm CT-26. (Ceramic) I had the turbo fully rebuilt, and then did the same for the engine. A well known machine shop did the head and internals, everythings was ported, polished and balanced. Also all the bearings were replaced ofcourse. I used ONLY original OEM parts during the engine rebuild. (due to legality issues) However, due to small "labeling mistake" all parts arrived in boxes that said TRD instead of TOYOTA. Funny how it happened.
I put the engine together myself in my dads garage and the actual swap I did myself in shop nearby. The owner was kind enough to lend half of his work shop and his expertise for me for a week. (40 hours of labour + oil + liquids, only 600). Also, the new (new) gearbox has LSD, clutch was replaced handle the increased power. Also, the brakes were rebuilt with new calipers, disks and decent race pads. Whole suspension was rebuilt while we were at it, basically replacing EVERYTHING. Every hose, line and seal in the car replaced. Cost a small fortune. Fuel pump was changed to one from celica GT-four (ST205). Fidanza flywheel and aluminium pulleys were used and engine management was fiddled with. As a result now the engine is just like the old NA with with very NA-like behaviour (turbo kicks in gently around 2400, engine revs all the way up to 7500). Exhaust is 3inch all the way. This was because I liked NA behaviour and it fits well for my favourite track which is pretty technical. (youtube - see ahvenisto)
The chassis was then sent to mysterious master behind the old iron curtain. The car was stripped, he went through the chassis with a fine tooth comb and fixed all the stress fractures and places which had any signs of corrosion. Both sides were practically rebuild from scratch and same thing was done under the rear bumper. Huge job but it was worth it. After that the car was painted with same color as it was. The car is like new now!
Only 7k on clock now.
Oh yeah, new 16 inch wheels also, not shown in these pics.
Its a 91 turbo. Totally rebuilt. Must have cost me around 30k$.
What has been done to the car?
Well, I got it from Germany 5 years ago, the car spent most of its life in Starnberg, Germany. I bought it after I got discharged and drove it while in university. 2 years ago, the 3S-GE (well build engine, must have produced over 180 bhp, with LSD gear box) checked out. I thought long what to do and then made budget and started ordering parts.
I found almost new rev2 JDM turbo engine - with the original jdm CT-26. (Ceramic) I had the turbo fully rebuilt, and then did the same for the engine. A well known machine shop did the head and internals, everythings was ported, polished and balanced. Also all the bearings were replaced ofcourse. I used ONLY original OEM parts during the engine rebuild. (due to legality issues) However, due to small "labeling mistake" all parts arrived in boxes that said TRD instead of TOYOTA. Funny how it happened.
I put the engine together myself in my dads garage and the actual swap I did myself in shop nearby. The owner was kind enough to lend half of his work shop and his expertise for me for a week. (40 hours of labour + oil + liquids, only 600). Also, the new (new) gearbox has LSD, clutch was replaced handle the increased power. Also, the brakes were rebuilt with new calipers, disks and decent race pads. Whole suspension was rebuilt while we were at it, basically replacing EVERYTHING. Every hose, line and seal in the car replaced. Cost a small fortune. Fuel pump was changed to one from celica GT-four (ST205). Fidanza flywheel and aluminium pulleys were used and engine management was fiddled with. As a result now the engine is just like the old NA with with very NA-like behaviour (turbo kicks in gently around 2400, engine revs all the way up to 7500). Exhaust is 3inch all the way. This was because I liked NA behaviour and it fits well for my favourite track which is pretty technical. (youtube - see ahvenisto)
The chassis was then sent to mysterious master behind the old iron curtain. The car was stripped, he went through the chassis with a fine tooth comb and fixed all the stress fractures and places which had any signs of corrosion. Both sides were practically rebuild from scratch and same thing was done under the rear bumper. Huge job but it was worth it. After that the car was painted with same color as it was. The car is like new now!
Only 7k on clock now.
Oh yeah, new 16 inch wheels also, not shown in these pics.
Stephanie Plum said:
8balls said:
- Green card (insurance certificate). I checked insurance - valid on track as well.
Have a great time but check what you've said above. Loads of threads here about insurance for the Ring.8balls said:
Stephanie Plum said:
8balls said:
- Green card (insurance certificate). I checked insurance - valid on track as well.
Have a great time but check what you've said above. Loads of threads here about insurance for the Ring.
DangerousMike said:
hope you have a nice trip 
do you drive that car through the winter?
I lived in finland for a year and have fond memories. must go back one day.
take it the ferry to germany is less of a "party boat" than the one to stockholm?
"Party boat"? I believe they are called "drilling platforms" these days. do you drive that car through the winter?
I lived in finland for a year and have fond memories. must go back one day.
take it the ferry to germany is less of a "party boat" than the one to stockholm?
I really hope not because it would suck to drive through Germany in a hangover. The boat arrives to rostock around 2200. Does any know what is the politically correct check in time (earliest possible) in Germany for small hotels.
I assume not 7 am...Also, no winter driving for this baby. Its driven only by ME and only during summers and spends its winters and nights in very warm and dry garage...
Edited by 8balls on Saturday 31st July 19:18
To save excessive weight I wouldnt take the tools or jack, only a breakdown kit, which should fit in a large brief case (unless you can leave the heavy stuff at the hotel?). Id take a powder extinguisher, because itll have a greater knock down than an AFFF type, for a similar size/weight.
you don't need a sat nav
Rostock to Lübeck is signposted, then you can stay on the 1 all the way (or turn off on the 61) either way it's signposted
it's very easy to fall asleep on an empty motorway: keep stopping, get out, walk around, get a drink, have a piss, or even stop for a half hour 'power nap'
there are plenty of service stations, they even sell oil and have free water
Rostock to Lübeck is signposted, then you can stay on the 1 all the way (or turn off on the 61) either way it's signposted
it's very easy to fall asleep on an empty motorway: keep stopping, get out, walk around, get a drink, have a piss, or even stop for a half hour 'power nap'
there are plenty of service stations, they even sell oil and have free water
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