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I have stood and watched but would love to drive it as well!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Ferry was not too bad luckily. Nothing to do but better than driving for hours in traffic. Cant win either way! Its a shane you couldnt make it, we will be back next year
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Day 2 - Spa
Woke up to a fresh day and fog! Continental breakfast and away we go
Fresh
5 min drive to the circuit and sign on and get set up in the garage unloading all of the gear before sighting laps
Renault F1 team
M2 imposter.
As the weather was cold and 1deg or so ambient temps opted to stay on road tyres for sighting laps. Went out following the pace car and the circuit looked immense, fast everywhere. Some points it looks like if you get it wrong your in the gravel, but apart from that lots of runoff so can let the car run wide.
Needed to fill up before going out, so went to the Spa fuel station on site. The station has 95, 98, 102 octane petrol and dirty d if its your thing. Give it a treat and filled up with 102 octane.
Rari, yaris and meg
The price though
put card in and it stopped at €120 max and tank was not even full. Felt a bit sick at that. One of the lads filled a meg up from empty €170.
Back to the pits and straight out, ease into it on road tyres. Spa is fast everywhere and you can really get on the throttle. Front end not as pointy as usual on the pilotsport 5 compared to ar1 but felt pretty planted.
I did nearly have an oh s**t moment on Double Gauche corner however early on in the day. Quick dab of the brakes on the downhill entry and back on the throttle in 4th gear, and too fast in so had to lift a little. Back end was very lively so banged throttle back down which sorted it out and let it run very wide. Eau rouge is mega, turn in full throttle 5th gear run the apex and commit, loads of runoff at raidillon again run the apex and down the kemmel straight 120/130mph with later braking for les combes.
The ps5 tyres were coping quite well in the morning and not falling apart but decided to change to ar1 at lunch time. Few laps to scrub them back in after Anglesey and the car was a different animal. Turn in and get on the throttle, loads of grip. Was flying along and having a bit of fun pushing faster machinery along on the corners.
Noted a lot of supercar/exotic stuff which were very slow on the corners (not knocking them as its cheaper than crashing) however when blue flagged they indicated to let me past and did not roll off the throttle. A 270hp meg aint going to get past a ferrari unless they roll off, and ego must hurt when a yellow megane is pushing them every corner. Ended up in the old who dares to brake the latest a few times. The standards of driving werent great to be fair resulting in a few track closures/red flags and everybody was driving quite agressive overtaking everywhere due to this, me included and was really standing on the brakes. The ds1.11 pads did not fail at any point and worked great as usual but could tell by pedal feel that the brake fluid was hot. You can see the cracks in the drilled discs due to heat. Also exhaust tailpipes have now gone a shade of gold due to sustained heat as i was doing approx 4-5 laps in one go which is best part of 21miles.
Megane was 100% reliable and did not have any issues, another reliable track day done.
All in all the track was excellent and the overall experience was fantastic. Will 100% be back in the future.
Woke up to a fresh day and fog! Continental breakfast and away we go
Fresh
5 min drive to the circuit and sign on and get set up in the garage unloading all of the gear before sighting laps
Renault F1 team
M2 imposter.
As the weather was cold and 1deg or so ambient temps opted to stay on road tyres for sighting laps. Went out following the pace car and the circuit looked immense, fast everywhere. Some points it looks like if you get it wrong your in the gravel, but apart from that lots of runoff so can let the car run wide.
Needed to fill up before going out, so went to the Spa fuel station on site. The station has 95, 98, 102 octane petrol and dirty d if its your thing. Give it a treat and filled up with 102 octane.
Rari, yaris and meg
The price though
put card in and it stopped at €120 max and tank was not even full. Felt a bit sick at that. One of the lads filled a meg up from empty €170.Back to the pits and straight out, ease into it on road tyres. Spa is fast everywhere and you can really get on the throttle. Front end not as pointy as usual on the pilotsport 5 compared to ar1 but felt pretty planted.
I did nearly have an oh s**t moment on Double Gauche corner however early on in the day. Quick dab of the brakes on the downhill entry and back on the throttle in 4th gear, and too fast in so had to lift a little. Back end was very lively so banged throttle back down which sorted it out and let it run very wide. Eau rouge is mega, turn in full throttle 5th gear run the apex and commit, loads of runoff at raidillon again run the apex and down the kemmel straight 120/130mph with later braking for les combes.
The ps5 tyres were coping quite well in the morning and not falling apart but decided to change to ar1 at lunch time. Few laps to scrub them back in after Anglesey and the car was a different animal. Turn in and get on the throttle, loads of grip. Was flying along and having a bit of fun pushing faster machinery along on the corners.
Noted a lot of supercar/exotic stuff which were very slow on the corners (not knocking them as its cheaper than crashing) however when blue flagged they indicated to let me past and did not roll off the throttle. A 270hp meg aint going to get past a ferrari unless they roll off, and ego must hurt when a yellow megane is pushing them every corner. Ended up in the old who dares to brake the latest a few times. The standards of driving werent great to be fair resulting in a few track closures/red flags and everybody was driving quite agressive overtaking everywhere due to this, me included and was really standing on the brakes. The ds1.11 pads did not fail at any point and worked great as usual but could tell by pedal feel that the brake fluid was hot. You can see the cracks in the drilled discs due to heat. Also exhaust tailpipes have now gone a shade of gold due to sustained heat as i was doing approx 4-5 laps in one go which is best part of 21miles.
Megane was 100% reliable and did not have any issues, another reliable track day done.
All in all the track was excellent and the overall experience was fantastic. Will 100% be back in the future.
Turbell
Well-Known Member
That's living the dream!
Beautiful place, we went a good few years back , during a July heatwave ( remember those? ) on bikes, you could feel the temperature drop when you got in the area, there was a few cars going round, we just rode in , parked up, climbed underneath stands and watched, never got asked or bothered.
I'll never have balls to drive or ride round somewhere like that though, hats off to you...build it, drive it there , cane it and drive it back!
Beautiful place, we went a good few years back , during a July heatwave ( remember those? ) on bikes, you could feel the temperature drop when you got in the area, there was a few cars going round, we just rode in , parked up, climbed underneath stands and watched, never got asked or bothered.
I'll never have balls to drive or ride round somewhere like that though, hats off to you...build it, drive it there , cane it and drive it back!
Duncan Grier
Well-Known Member
Looks like an epic trip and great to hear car the performed as planned 
MartijnTrophy
Active Member
Good to read the Megane did great!
Great pics aswell.
Great pics aswell.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Day 3 - Nurburgring
Woke up to a cold and foggy Belgium. 0deg again! Continental breakfast and en route.
Fresh
Set off and fog soon cleared when on motorway. Spa to Nurburgring drive was uneventful and steady 1hr40 so arrived in no time.
First stop in Adenau
There was a rally on and the track was closed so straight to the hotel to check in and unload the gear.
Ringrooms aka tool storage
Track was open on Sat afternoon between 4-6pm so had a small window to get laps in. Straight down to Devils diner to check out the situation. The area was rammed with cars and heavy fog at Devils Diner/complex. Last time i crashed here was in conditions like this so i was a little bit apprehensive about driving it but went and bought a lap anyway. Went to go out and reds were on/track closed. Waited until open and same again, constant track closure. So did not end up doing any laps.
Fog on Devils Diner/constant track closure.
With track closed and weather conditions super foggy headed to PK for drinks and fillet steak and banter all evening.
PIstenklaus
Sunday comes and i was considering a morning lap. Weather looked fair at the hotel around 9am and i could see cars on the track at breidscheid so headed down to Devils Diner. Foggy and damp roads with poor traction, 1deg. Headed off to Brunchen aka Youtube corner and you could hardly see the track.
Meg friend at Brunchen
Sun was trying to get out and track was open but not worth the risk or slow drive round. As we needed to be away around 12pm sacked off the laps and loaded up the tools ready for drive back to Amsterdam. Had to grab the obligatory Nurburgring shot outside the complex before going and visit the ED Tankstelle before the journey back.
Required pic
Its a shame no laps done but it was still worth the journey down as not far away and its a great place to visit.
Set off back to Ijmuiden, it is approx 3h40 from Adenau. The return journey is a treat and i always enjoy a bit of fast driving on the Autobahns, you cannot beat german motorways they are the best in the world. The conditions were great and fast driving was possible. Between 120-150mph depending on traffic for miles. Did not really drop under 100mph until we got to Belgium. Noted exhaust boom around 110mph on part throttle so had to be above or below
Autobahn driving
Only downside to the return journey after fast autobahn driving is you hit Belgium and Amsterdam and down to 60mph or whatever it is. Literally feel like your crawling along in comparison so just stuck it on the cruise control and made it to the boat in good time.
Boat crossing was good apart from the mackem couple in the next cabin who had obvioulsly been on the sesh all weekend at Amsterdam and were arguing at silly am so had to tell them to shut the fcuk up.
Boat kicked us off 9am and both meganes arrived back in one piece.
Back in the uk.
Also had a nice reminder of the tour a couple of days ago. On the outward journey on the Friday to the ferry time was cracking on, met up just outside the Tyne tunnel. Went through the tunnel and got on boat and forgot to pay.
£32 for the priviledge!
On that note. Meg has not moved since the trip as been busy with work etc. I give it a quick once over and everything is good apart from noticing the waterpump has started leaking! Its only done 8k as i replaced it when doing the cambelt but non genuine gates branded pump, this is the first time ive used a non genuine pump on an f4r but seemed ok on install so sent it. Id noted a minor bit of coolant loss over last few weeks and after spa it needed topping up the next day, not loads so no real cause for concern but obviously going somewhere. Did not use any more the whole journey though.
Spotted the green drip when jacked up from drivers side so assume leaking when stood, removed undertray and could see the crystallized coolant on the block/sump straight away. So its cambelt job again soon which is a pisser but not the end of the world.
Thanks for reading!!
Woke up to a cold and foggy Belgium. 0deg again! Continental breakfast and en route.
Fresh
Set off and fog soon cleared when on motorway. Spa to Nurburgring drive was uneventful and steady 1hr40 so arrived in no time.
First stop in Adenau
There was a rally on and the track was closed so straight to the hotel to check in and unload the gear.
Ringrooms aka tool storage
Track was open on Sat afternoon between 4-6pm so had a small window to get laps in. Straight down to Devils diner to check out the situation. The area was rammed with cars and heavy fog at Devils Diner/complex. Last time i crashed here was in conditions like this so i was a little bit apprehensive about driving it but went and bought a lap anyway. Went to go out and reds were on/track closed. Waited until open and same again, constant track closure. So did not end up doing any laps.
Fog on Devils Diner/constant track closure.
With track closed and weather conditions super foggy headed to PK for drinks and fillet steak and banter all evening.
PIstenklaus
Sunday comes and i was considering a morning lap. Weather looked fair at the hotel around 9am and i could see cars on the track at breidscheid so headed down to Devils Diner. Foggy and damp roads with poor traction, 1deg. Headed off to Brunchen aka Youtube corner and you could hardly see the track.
Meg friend at Brunchen
Sun was trying to get out and track was open but not worth the risk or slow drive round. As we needed to be away around 12pm sacked off the laps and loaded up the tools ready for drive back to Amsterdam. Had to grab the obligatory Nurburgring shot outside the complex before going and visit the ED Tankstelle before the journey back.
Required pic
Its a shame no laps done but it was still worth the journey down as not far away and its a great place to visit.
Set off back to Ijmuiden, it is approx 3h40 from Adenau. The return journey is a treat and i always enjoy a bit of fast driving on the Autobahns, you cannot beat german motorways they are the best in the world. The conditions were great and fast driving was possible. Between 120-150mph depending on traffic for miles. Did not really drop under 100mph until we got to Belgium. Noted exhaust boom around 110mph on part throttle so had to be above or below
Autobahn driving
Only downside to the return journey after fast autobahn driving is you hit Belgium and Amsterdam and down to 60mph or whatever it is. Literally feel like your crawling along in comparison so just stuck it on the cruise control and made it to the boat in good time.
Boat crossing was good apart from the mackem couple in the next cabin who had obvioulsly been on the sesh all weekend at Amsterdam and were arguing at silly am so had to tell them to shut the fcuk up.
Boat kicked us off 9am and both meganes arrived back in one piece.
Back in the uk.
Also had a nice reminder of the tour a couple of days ago. On the outward journey on the Friday to the ferry time was cracking on, met up just outside the Tyne tunnel. Went through the tunnel and got on boat and forgot to pay.
£32 for the priviledge!
On that note. Meg has not moved since the trip as been busy with work etc. I give it a quick once over and everything is good apart from noticing the waterpump has started leaking! Its only done 8k as i replaced it when doing the cambelt but non genuine gates branded pump, this is the first time ive used a non genuine pump on an f4r but seemed ok on install so sent it. Id noted a minor bit of coolant loss over last few weeks and after spa it needed topping up the next day, not loads so no real cause for concern but obviously going somewhere. Did not use any more the whole journey though.
Spotted the green drip when jacked up from drivers side so assume leaking when stood, removed undertray and could see the crystallized coolant on the block/sump straight away. So its cambelt job again soon which is a pisser but not the end of the world.
Thanks for reading!!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Its a mega circuit your clio will be awesome there.
Typically ive heard the gates stuff has gone a bit crap. Cambelt kits and the like still ok. Oem pump this time!
I have some footage on my camer,a i need to have a look and see if any is decent. Me and @Mart were full send on the last session out and the cars were matched power wise nose to tail all the way round, typically i didnt put the camera on for any footage as forgot.
Typically ive heard the gates stuff has gone a bit crap. Cambelt kits and the like still ok. Oem pump this time!
I have some footage on my camer,a i need to have a look and see if any is decent. Me and @Mart were full send on the last session out and the cars were matched power wise nose to tail all the way round, typically i didnt put the camera on for any footage as forgot.
MartijnTrophy
Active Member
Looks like a good trip! Shame the weather wasn't on your side at the Ring, with the temperature and the track being damp it sure would've been tricky.
And totally agree with you on the bit where 60mph feels like crawling when you've gone for a blast on the Autobahn. Last part home always makes me fall asleep.
And totally agree with you on the bit where 60mph feels like crawling when you've gone for a blast on the Autobahn. Last part home always makes me fall asleep.
Have you got a link to the undertray you bought please @Brigsy
Ours has suffered from having an oil change without being removed so it's fairly bent and buckled.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Long time no update.
Done cambelt and water pump early Feb. Easy enough job.
Stripped. I checked cam timing before removing belt and it was still bang on had not moved a mm.
Genuine Ren water pump. Never ever use aftermarket or do the job twice :cautious: could see that the gates pump fitted previously had been leaking badly from the bearing.
New cambelt kit & oem waterpump fitted. Mot 1801 locking the pulleys whilst torquing to spec.
Also fitted new aux kit, changed oil and filter whilst at it for fresh 5/40 valvoline synpower and topped up with febi type d coolant. Overall the job went smoothly, around 5-6 hours in total as was not rushing. Test driven and all noises gone and no coolant loss since.
Had a winter clean after sitting about.
Clean, still comes up nice for an 18year old meg.
Done cambelt and water pump early Feb. Easy enough job.
Stripped. I checked cam timing before removing belt and it was still bang on had not moved a mm.
Genuine Ren water pump. Never ever use aftermarket or do the job twice :cautious: could see that the gates pump fitted previously had been leaking badly from the bearing.
New cambelt kit & oem waterpump fitted. Mot 1801 locking the pulleys whilst torquing to spec.
Also fitted new aux kit, changed oil and filter whilst at it for fresh 5/40 valvoline synpower and topped up with febi type d coolant. Overall the job went smoothly, around 5-6 hours in total as was not rushing. Test driven and all noises gone and no coolant loss since.
Had a winter clean after sitting about.
Clean, still comes up nice for an 18year old meg.
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
When i removed the upper torque mount to do cambelt i noted it was absolutely shot and the large bush was pretty much falling out. I had a slightly less knackered one to fit but needed a new one. Found a new old stock hutchinson one on ebay.
Neww
15 mins work to fit.
Also give the bay a quick wipe over whilst there.
Clean enough.
Done a few small jobs. I bought a r26r washer bottle a while back, cross references with a scenic so cost about a tenner. Its almost half the size/capacity of the original as no headlamp washers, ive binned them and the rear one so dont need large capacity. Gives potential to run brake ducts in the future if i need them as bit of room underneath.
Oem washer bottle top pic, R26r on lower. Typically forgot that washer bottle was full and only took half of it to fill new bottle.
Loom above the grill was looking tatty and the oem pvc tape was falling off. Re wrapped it with loom tape.
Wiring a bit tidier.
I then removed headlamps to give the xenon domes a clean to see if the light output would be improved. I done this on my clio xenons and it made good improvements so thought it was worth a look. Its a simple job on meg2 once headlamp is off, simply unplug bulb, remove 3x torx screws and the full dome comes out the bulb access panel.
Stripped.
Cleaned. Film of muck on them much like window glass when its dirty, quick rub of the cloth and much clearer. Like removing cataracts :LOL:
Looked much brighter on the drive so took it for a run out to test and the headlamp output is improved on b roads.
Improvements. Meta view smart glasses pic.
Small improvements all round. Makes night driving a bit better.
Thanks for reading!!
Neww
15 mins work to fit.
Also give the bay a quick wipe over whilst there.
Clean enough.
Done a few small jobs. I bought a r26r washer bottle a while back, cross references with a scenic so cost about a tenner. Its almost half the size/capacity of the original as no headlamp washers, ive binned them and the rear one so dont need large capacity. Gives potential to run brake ducts in the future if i need them as bit of room underneath.
Oem washer bottle top pic, R26r on lower. Typically forgot that washer bottle was full and only took half of it to fill new bottle.
Loom above the grill was looking tatty and the oem pvc tape was falling off. Re wrapped it with loom tape.
Wiring a bit tidier.
I then removed headlamps to give the xenon domes a clean to see if the light output would be improved. I done this on my clio xenons and it made good improvements so thought it was worth a look. Its a simple job on meg2 once headlamp is off, simply unplug bulb, remove 3x torx screws and the full dome comes out the bulb access panel.
Stripped.
Cleaned. Film of muck on them much like window glass when its dirty, quick rub of the cloth and much clearer. Like removing cataracts :LOL:
Looked much brighter on the drive so took it for a run out to test and the headlamp output is improved on b roads.
Improvements. Meta view smart glasses pic.
Small improvements all round. Makes night driving a bit better.
Thanks for reading!!
Brigsy
Media Mogul. Instagram legend.
Updates.
Battery positive cover looked crap so bought a new cover.
New oem ren.
Fitted.
Changed the n/s rear wheel bearing on Sunday as it was starting to make a racket. Everything stripped off ok and disc off in ten mins, loads of grease in hub area which did not look like bearing grease but it had chucked some out of both sides regardless, bearing sounded terrible when spinning.
On inspection
Removed abs ring as needed to be off to press the bearing out. Had it in the press and was giving it full send but did not move. Before resorting to heat i took it out and used an old socket and mash hammer to shock it which moved it slightly. Seeing movement refitted to press and it still went with a bang but came out with minimum fuss.
The bearing removed was marked sun - no idea on that one. Cleaned and snr bearing pressed in. Bearing needs to go in one way as seals different too so made sure correct.
Old bearing casing is the perfect mandrel.
Knotty wheel on abs ring recess and new abs ring and circlip fitted.
Refitted torquing bearing to 175nm. I think last bearing was overtorqued, seemed to be pretty tight when i gunned it off. On refit checked brake pads and the verdict was fcuked.
Pad material crumbling assuming heat related from spa.
Calipers had the once over. Noted old pads were tight in the anti rattle shims due to brake dust build up so thoroughly cleaned up. Sliders lubed, Caliper pistons lubed up with red rubber grease and worked in and out. The pistons were not seized and moved easy but just seem to stick in position as always needing light pressure to move. Crap design to be fair!
New pads from the trackday box.
Done.
Used it for some running about on the afternoon around 40 miles or so, no wheel bearing noise. Rear discs cleaned up straight away with everything nice and free.
Much better.
Nice easy jobs. Thanks for reading!!
Battery positive cover looked crap so bought a new cover.
New oem ren.
Fitted.
Changed the n/s rear wheel bearing on Sunday as it was starting to make a racket. Everything stripped off ok and disc off in ten mins, loads of grease in hub area which did not look like bearing grease but it had chucked some out of both sides regardless, bearing sounded terrible when spinning.
On inspection
Removed abs ring as needed to be off to press the bearing out. Had it in the press and was giving it full send but did not move. Before resorting to heat i took it out and used an old socket and mash hammer to shock it which moved it slightly. Seeing movement refitted to press and it still went with a bang but came out with minimum fuss.
The bearing removed was marked sun - no idea on that one. Cleaned and snr bearing pressed in. Bearing needs to go in one way as seals different too so made sure correct.
Old bearing casing is the perfect mandrel.
Knotty wheel on abs ring recess and new abs ring and circlip fitted.
Refitted torquing bearing to 175nm. I think last bearing was overtorqued, seemed to be pretty tight when i gunned it off. On refit checked brake pads and the verdict was fcuked.
Pad material crumbling assuming heat related from spa.
Calipers had the once over. Noted old pads were tight in the anti rattle shims due to brake dust build up so thoroughly cleaned up. Sliders lubed, Caliper pistons lubed up with red rubber grease and worked in and out. The pistons were not seized and moved easy but just seem to stick in position as always needing light pressure to move. Crap design to be fair!
New pads from the trackday box.
Done.
Used it for some running about on the afternoon around 40 miles or so, no wheel bearing noise. Rear discs cleaned up straight away with everything nice and free.
Much better.
Nice easy jobs. Thanks for reading!!
