Nurburgring 2013 (Report, pics, etc)

[Cochyn]

Since attending Gatebil last year, I had the idea of trying to document everything from the trip in order to write a big report that might entice or simply help others to do the same; do's and don'ts of a trip that will hopefully make things easier for newbies! But the Nurburgring is a "tried and tested" trip that I can't really elaborate further on......so here's my trip anyway!

Its my dad's 60th next month, so thought it be nice to have a trip to the Nurburgring. He's never been before and it really isn't a place or something that can be explained over a beer, it needs to be experienced. He also came with me to Gatebil, but the 'Ring is just a simpler trip and it had to be done. The wife came along this time too, so best behaviour at all times lol

We left Congleton at 4:00am on Friday 12th July to ensure we arrived at the Euro Tunnel, Folkestone in plenty of time to settle down with a breakfast. The trip was fairly straight forward with limited traffic and fuel stops. Unlike Gatebil, I wasn't going for the "economic" drive over....pedal to the metal all the way this time. Once again we didn't trailer the Focus, it was faultless during the Gatebil trip and I had enough faith in it this year. Except this time I'd be kicking it's head in much more around track as well as it being the A to B car lol

The first trip was 250 miles which took us a good 4 hours to do. My dad came along in his Mitsubishi Barbarian which had ample room for spare wheels and car parts, along with our luggage which saved on a lot of weight in the Focus.





We arrived at Folkestone and had some breakfast, then made our way onto the Euro Tunnel and settled back for the quick 30 minute crossing.





We hit Calais and nailed it onto the E40 all the way to Nurburg. There are various routes to take, but we took the straight forward one that’s 300 miles and should have taken around 4 hours but ended up being 6 due to typical Friday traffic!!!















We finally arrive at around 18:00 at Burgstube Hotel situated just underneath the Nurburg Castle. Ideal location that’s around 5 minute walk to the Pistenklause, 10 minute walk to the Ring enterance and a 15 minute walk to the Ring Museum etc. Can’t thank the owner Martin enough for their hospitality and advice. Lovely people with a lot of knowledge.
The hotel was full but not overly packed with cars, apart from customers who would go to the Zur Nurburg restaurant after a visit to the castle.







Saturday morning came and I swapped the wheels over to these Speedlines, but really not fond of them or the offset haha! But they did the job well for budgets, but I eventually went back to my RL7’s with sticky Michelin’s which gave an even more rewarding drive. Tried to explain to my wife how dangerous the track can be and on lap 2, we came across a very nasty accident involving an M3 driven by a total knob and an unfortunate Toyota rental that received the brunt of the M3 owner’s stupidity. But luckily nobody was hurt. But by the end of the day we got tired of hearing “achtung achtung....another smash!!!”

So I ventured down early to get my pass and had a nice pic in the opposite carpark. Took a few more pics of the surrounding cars as well during our time there....enjoy....











Cooling down a bit...

























Confused....most people took ages to understand what the Focus is lol









This lad had a right misfortune of shearing his front nearside calliper bracket whilst on a very hot lap (nearing a high 7 min lap), then drove home on 3 calipers....commitment!

[Cochyn]

Some action pics with the budgets and then the RL7’s...
Getting some air...







Saturday evening after some track action was relaxing, finally got to focus on some beer and take in the surroundings. We ventured into Pistenklause to have the obligatory steak on a stone (never gets old, just gets tastier!!!). Only down side is the slick haired waiter who’s a total bellend, service gets shocking and you do tend to feel like Oliver Twist when it comes to any part of the order....”please sir, can I have some more....”

Took a few decent pics around the area with the old man and wife. Visited Ring Werk on Sunday and it was actually the truck racing weekend, so plenty of cowboys and American trucks to see. Bought the usual merchandise and tat that’s needed before retiring back to the hotel for a few more lovely Weissbrau...

























She does love the F1...









When Monday came, we realised that EVERYONE else had left by the morning and we’d paid for an extra night. Which wasn’t a bad thing, because although the place was more or less deserted, we got to take more of the place in without having to worry about masses of people. We ventured up to the Nurburg Castle to have a birds eye view of the area and to set out a plan for the day, which involved a walk in the forest and back along the track to watch a local club’s track day who hired out the Ring for themselves. The forest walks gave you views that you can’t get anywhere else....amazing! Had a walk around Adenau and then did the usual momentum pics that are just a must...















These boys get around lol







Then back through to Calais and onto the train...



So all in all, did over 1,500 trouble free miles from Friday to Tuesday and really gave the Focus some serious stick. An amazing shakedown for the Supra diff and for anyone doubting them, you’d be an idiot not to have one!!!

Showed a few decent motors up and I was happily shown up myself, but good banter all in all. Everything was perfect until I got home, rolled the car into the drive way and my dad said “oooh that’s a nasty dent on your passenger door”. Bugger, looked like someone whacked it at the Ring and now we notice. But no bother really, in the grand scheme of things, that was the only issue from the whole trip. But annoyed me enough to have it taken into the body shop today (Wednesday). Will get it back tomorrow morning all fresh again.

Hope this gives those who have never been some good ideas...

[Fredin]

Thanks for the report. This is something I always wanted to do.

[Salar]

Agreed with Fredin, this is awesome. Thanks alot!

This is a trip you just have to do!! and it seemed like you had alot of fun.

Regards, Salle

ps. very cool car

[Cochyn]

Cheers man