The annual pilgrimage to Nurburgring. Overall, a great trip, but not without its issues.
I was on the whole, fairly prepared for this trip, having put a bit of time into the car post Cadwell to make sure it was ready to go.
Friday - headed down to the unit to finalise my packing, and when I say finalise, I actually mean start it.
The Megane was still sat on the 4 post ramp, and neither trailer or tow car was loaded up. I opted to go for the minimalistic approach this time round, packing spare tyres, a jack, and my trackday tool grab bag.
By now, you’re probably all getting fed up of seeing the trailer, but I don’t care cus I think it looks mint.
I departed for the 2.5 hour journey to Hull around midday, and arrived at the boat 4.5 hours later - Friday traffic really is the worst.
(Ignore the TPMS warning)
After the debacle last year with my mate not being allowed to travel, I was feeling pretty anxious queuing up for passport control. Everything did go smoothly, and I was soon loaded and sat at the bar.
Some poor sods happened to arrive 7 minutes after the closing time, and were swiftly sent on their ways
Saturday morning
A decent nights sleep on the boat this time, with the exception of some pissed up silly bint running up and down the sleeping quarters shouting AARONNNNNNN at the top of her lungs at 2am.
Passport control on the Rotterdam side always seems to take forever since Brexit #perks but this did give an opportunity to perve on the other motors in the queue, namely:
My travelling companion had managed to get through the boarder really quickly compared to me, so we met up at a small truck fuelling station to just go around the cars and make sure wheels were tight and tyres had the correct air
The drive from Rotterdam seemed to take an age this time, but by 3pm, we were driving passed the ring sign
We unloaded and headed to Brunchen to watch the end of the RCN race from that day.
By 6pm, I’d accidentally ended up on track in the tow car
The conclusion of TF that evening meant a visit to one of my new favourite restaurants in the centre of Adenau, Blau Ecke.
Sunday was essentially the preparation day for me, so I took some time switching the PS4’s with the A052’s.
I spent some time doing some adventuring in the Touareg, and watching TF.
There had been a nasty crash just after Hatzenbach, which was causing absolute mayhem as people were heading into the yellow flag section.
I departed my view spot, and shortly after, one of my clio197.net comrades arrived - having been fisted by the German Police along the way. He’d managed to avoid (only just) the influx of what was reported to be 45,000
motorbikes to the area as the season kick-off Anlassen.
Monday
So this brings us onto the morning of the trackday.
Having had my breakfast, I headed to the track and sat in the pits waiting for the sighting laps. I really wasn’t feeling this, and had a massive headache and was a little bit sick.
Nevertheless, I headed out, and on my first session noticed there was a little bit of vibration on the front end, which I assumed to be pad pick-up from Cadwell a few weeks prior.
Still yet to get that 4 wheels off the floor pic at PF1, but I’m adamant I can’t go any faster, as I’m essentially on the limiter in 4th and not braking before the jump at all.
We broke for dinner, and I noted that I really was wearing the A052’s down. I had considered purchasing a new set over there, but decided just to take it steady.
I went out for another session, and the brakes were really properly terrible at this point.
I headed for the accommodation, had a check over the brakes, and was greeted with the following on the drivers side (see the crack on the inside of the disc)
So that was my day over. Silver lining is I hadn’t purchased tyres, but had just put a full tank of 98 in - annoying!
Tuesday was a mix of sulking and watching the second CD trackday. The weather had taken a turn for the
better worse. 20+ degrees does not sit well with me.
Wednesday was just a big dose. Got the cars loaded up, packed up, and headed home via the ring sign of course
A mixed trip overall, but it’s more of a holiday really nowadays. Had some great food, beer, and good chats with mates.
Wasn’t brave enough to have the lap timer on/on show, but of the 1 video I did get, I am getting ever closer to the 8 minute mark. I’m booked on for their June date, so we’ll see what happens.