[Proto]

Went over to the Nurburgring back in July, here are a few not very exciting pics.

I was cycling home from work one evening, caught up with another cyclist and got chatting. Subject of motorbikes came up. So what do you ride he asks? "Blade. And you?". "RC45" came the reply. Bastard. Anyway turns out he was leading a gang over to the Ring leaving the following Saturday from Dover, returning on Tuesday afternoon. Taking the scenic route it's a days ride there, so we'd have all Sunday at the track and Monday afternoon too. (closed Mon AM). Two places left in the hotel and on the ferry, total of twenrty three bikes going over. Rang my mate BK and game on

The Ring is like nowhere else on earth. The place where Lauda toasted his ears, and as a consequence considered mouch too dangerous for motorsport. So what do we do with the place ask teh locals. I know, let's open it up to the public, which is what they have done. Petrol head heaven.

12 Euros a lap. 14 miles. 1000ft from highest to lowest part on the circuit. About 3 milluion corners. Anyone is allowed on providing your vehicle is street legal. Mopeds, Blades, Dodge Vipers, GT3 Porksters, vans, buses etc etc. No sessions. Pay your money and do 1 lap as fast or as slow as you like.

Because of the circuit length and complexity you need at least 50 laps before you have any idea what you are doing. Loads of blind crests leading into holy **** type moments. Is it left or is it right? Do I feel lucky, well do I, punk? Oh and by the way, no run off, just armco and trees.

Well I survived. Just. We all did, although we ahd to patch up one CBR600 (footpeg, fairing, brake lever). Others thoughwere not so lucky. Caterham 7 belw its motor dumping oil, brought 4 bikes down. Ambulance went out. Lots of others track closures whilst cars and bikes ahauled off the track.

First pic is the crew bikes at a fuel stop in Belgium somewhere. Last one is yours truly near the town of Cochem on the Moselle. The most beautiful town you could imagine. Stunning road down into the valley, hairpin after hairpin. Bliss.

Enough rambling.

PS if you want to know more about the Ring, look here: http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/ and have alook at the links to photo pages.

[Baketech]

Bastardo!!!!!!!

[phobiaphobe]

Great post, thanks.

I've run the 'ring several times in virtual reality. I'd give my middle nut to ride the real thing.

I'll fight that guy for his RC45. Bastard.

[maxib]

That bus driver isn't countersteering! Beautiful pics, specially the first one. Wish I could be there.

[Proto]

Until you know your way around you are being passed by just about everything, so normal rules of the road apply, keep right, pass on the left. So you need to keep an eye in your mirrors. Kind of scary to see a couple of tooled up race Porches closing fast. Most are pretty good with the overtakes, but some really don't care and will stuff it up the inside without much regard for your safety.

Quite a scary moment was coming towards the Karusel when I was passed by a V10 Carrera GT. Safe enough pass, but he wasn't a very good driver and looked like he was going to go spinning at any moment. The thing made the most wonderful noise though.

If you've watched videos of Ring laps they give no indication of the gradients around the track. At places it really is very steep, so going too fast, down hill into a decreasing radius left hander, with no runoff, not having a fecking clue where it goes next and there's Dodge Viper up your arse. It can be a tad worrying at times.