Guten tag from Germany!

[flynn]

i'm in the middle of a business trip, and so far there has been zero business content. i managed to bust my blackberry on the first day so i'm stranded from the office... but don't feel bad for me, i got to spend most of my time at nurburgring. the weather was crap on monday, but things cleared up on tuesday and i am no longer a ring virgin. i'll post some pics soon...

[Sia Bani]

Nice, have fun!

[maxh2o]

What'd you drive round the 'ring?

[rbt]

Wow, I'd love to be in your shoes one day; always dreamed of driving the 'Ring. have fun and post pics.

[flynn]

ok, here's a few pics - about 5mb in total.

welcome to germany...


do you feel at home yet... this is the cathedral at cologne, with all kinds of historical significance. i'm still sore from climbing to the top.


here are a few car sightings...

ford is cool in europe:


this is actually just outside my hotel in london, so this doesn't count:


a rare non-diesel audi:


a very common track toy:


probably not so common bimmer at my hotel:


here was my weapon of choice, thanks to Avis:


almost there...


but first, a quick visit to the museum. most of the cars in this museum are in gt4. probably not so coincidently the museum was filled with gt4 kiosks:


they had a nice full size cutout of an a6, it was all in motion:


ok down to business, here's the gate to the north ring entrance. this is where you go for the "public road", as opposed to the gp circuit a mile or so down the road:


here is where you buy your tickets. 15 euro per lap, or start saving when you buy 5 or more. seasons passes available for 750 euro. you then simply drive up to the pits, stick your ticket into the parking maching, the gate opens, and you're off... fully automated:


here's ed healy and johann, locals who coached me. yes, some of the fastest people there drive a clio:


here are some shots of the green hell...



continued...

[flynn]

the rest of the shots were taken earlier during the day when the track wasn't open to the public. car/tire/etc. manufacturer testing and such:

top secret! 100%!



there were lots of SUVS...




lots of bimmers... i assumed the old cars i saw were there to test tires or whatnot:





every car had some kind of data aquisition, some more than others...


more...



supras are probably ideal for tire testing, i saw 3 in one day:



AMG testing.... new v8?


good, and better...



continued...

[flynn]

the new caymann hardtop boxster; sounded weak, but moved and looked great:





the m3 was picking on it:


anyone want to guess?


that video for 'push the button' is pretty hot...


some audi content:





the US-spec golf - note the orange sidemarkers. that painted line across the track is a rather large dropoff, there's a fun braking zone at the bottom of it.



f-car testing...



slow, but comfy...


new m6 ragtop. this was the meanest sounding car out there my last day. driver was pushing hard, and the car was just sucking it up beautifully:




after the ring i headed to frankfurt when i heard the auto show was going on. then i found out that day was press only. then i flew to london.... but i will be back.

[rbt]

so did you time any of your laps?

I'm looking forward to the new GTI. If they make it lighter than the A3, and supply it with the DSG and front LSD, it'd be killer in APR-chipped guise.

[shehatezme]

What was your lap time? I always wanted to drive on that track.

[snopyro]

Nice pics, Dave! Keep 'em coming! Where's the pics of the German weight lifters? =P

[quattro30v]

you need to know how to do oil change though before you can drive on the ring!

Originally posted by shehatezme
What was your lap time? I always wanted to drive on that track.

nice pix dave!

[Mike M.]

Awesome Pics, Dave. Feels like we were there with you (ok, maybe not).

I think I see the next AMG ML and S Class, Mazdaspeed 6, as well as the Ferrari 575M replacement in those pics. Good finds!

Anyhow, we'll see if your knowledge of the ring applies to some newfound skills at Lemans on Monday. See you then!

[flynn]

ya, i could have stayed there all day, but i had pints calling my name. during the private testing there was more traffic than during the public hours!

my lap times? come out to the lemans event on monday and i'll fill you in, or better yet i'll show you : )

[rex_racer]

cossie .

[chaos on wheels]

Awsome!

[Audiboy]

Great pics and narration Dave. I'm so excited!! :D

[illusive45]

Originally posted by Mike M.
Awesome Pics, Dave. Feels like we were there with you (ok, maybe not).

I think I see the next AMG ML and S Class, Mazdaspeed 6, as well as the Ferrari 575M replacement in those pics. Good finds!

Anyhow, we'll see if your knowledge of the ring applies to some newfound skills at Lemans on Monday. See you then!

I think the red Mazda with all the data recording shiet is a Mazdaspeed 3.

Nice pics Dave...now its time to bust out the vidcam and record us a lap around the 'ring. Good stuff.

[flynn]

Originally posted by Mike M.
I think I see the next AMG...

[flynn]

Originally posted by Mike M.
I think I see the Mazdaspeed 6...

[flynn]

Originally posted by rex_racer
cossie .

for jon... the driver was a nice chap who was staying at my hotel.

[flynn]

ze world famous zakspeed viperjet, ripoff extrordinaire....

[flynn]

hope this joins Avis' fleet in '06

[rex_racer]

Originally posted by flynn
for jon... the driver was a nice chap who was staying at my hotel.

MUST have one! hahah.

[mik3ymik3]

Those are amazing shots.

[Chard]

AWESOME pics Dave. Man you must be having a blast there! That Cayman is lookin pretty hot.

[a2a2pqk]

NIce pics!!! was that the new S class? or new C class?

Did the M3 ever passed the Cayman? Is it a Cayman or a Cayman S?

[Sweetride01]

Pics aren't showing...

[scooter44]

yea, ^. haha i thought it was just my computer.

I WANNA SEE THESE PICS! lol

[flynn]

ya i guess i posted a few too many pics... you guys have brought down my host. i'll see if i can get it back up...

[flynn]

pics are back up! be gentle...

[Anthony]

This Thread got some major hits! Did you link it elsewhere?