09-10-2010, 04:41 PM
Just back from my second visit to the Nordschleife. Still locating somewhere to post some video (what I have is large), but lots of photos here (http://picasaweb.google.com/lennonphoto/2010EuropeTrip#). As mentioned elsewhere, if you haven't done this, and fancy yourself a good track driver with a lot of nerve, do it. It's unforgettable. I am so envious of our European 968ers who get to enjoy this on a semi-regular basis.
Fun random memories of our time there:
- absolutely stunning array of cars just in the area. If you can imagine Ferraris, GT3RS, and the like being commonplace (no exaggeration), you get a good picture.
- seeing two vehicles parked on the hot track with passengers puking. One was bent over the Armco on a quick portion (really, really bad idea), and one was actually the Ring Taxi, with a girl hanging out an open rear door on the front straight.
- actually keeping up with the Ring Taxi for a good portion of a lap. It was fun to watch the driver giving passengers intentional thrills around corners (playing with getting the rear loose, then reeling it back in).
- the Pistenklause restaurant in Nurburg. A must do. Amazing racing ambiance and great steaks.
- honestly losing track of how many accidents we saw on track. At least 8-10. One involved a 911 exiting the Karussell into the Armco and having to be removed on a flatbed. Track closed twice due to serious ones. One of those apparently involved two additional crashes into an already-existing (and flagged) crash.
- we were there on the same weekend as the Superbikes (on the GP track), and there were many fans who took to the Nordschleife on Saturday evening on their bikes who shouldn't have (see accident note above). They were complete nutcases on public roads, as well.
- being forced off the track at high speed by a 928. The nerve!
Other highlights of the trip included:
- Visit to Gmund, Austria and small Porsche museum there
- Autobahn driving in a well-suited car (Mercedes E-Class)
- Lots of great mountain driving in the Alps of Austria, Switzerland, and France
- Porsche factory tour
- New Porsche museum in Stuttgart (huge improvement over the old one)
- Sinsheim museum has a stunning car, plane, military vehicle, etc. collection. Highly recommended.
Fun random memories of our time there:
- absolutely stunning array of cars just in the area. If you can imagine Ferraris, GT3RS, and the like being commonplace (no exaggeration), you get a good picture.
- seeing two vehicles parked on the hot track with passengers puking. One was bent over the Armco on a quick portion (really, really bad idea), and one was actually the Ring Taxi, with a girl hanging out an open rear door on the front straight.
- actually keeping up with the Ring Taxi for a good portion of a lap. It was fun to watch the driver giving passengers intentional thrills around corners (playing with getting the rear loose, then reeling it back in).
- the Pistenklause restaurant in Nurburg. A must do. Amazing racing ambiance and great steaks.
- honestly losing track of how many accidents we saw on track. At least 8-10. One involved a 911 exiting the Karussell into the Armco and having to be removed on a flatbed. Track closed twice due to serious ones. One of those apparently involved two additional crashes into an already-existing (and flagged) crash.
- we were there on the same weekend as the Superbikes (on the GP track), and there were many fans who took to the Nordschleife on Saturday evening on their bikes who shouldn't have (see accident note above). They were complete nutcases on public roads, as well.
- being forced off the track at high speed by a 928. The nerve!
Other highlights of the trip included:
- Visit to Gmund, Austria and small Porsche museum there
- Autobahn driving in a well-suited car (Mercedes E-Class)
- Lots of great mountain driving in the Alps of Austria, Switzerland, and France
- Porsche factory tour
- New Porsche museum in Stuttgart (huge improvement over the old one)
- Sinsheim museum has a stunning car, plane, military vehicle, etc. collection. Highly recommended.
