Road magazine nurburgring special issue 6

Road Nürburgring Nordschleife special issue: sponsored by KW Suspensions circuit guide // GT-R Race academy // BMW 135i, 350Z & KW GT-R, GT3 RS, TTS & GTi tackle the RMA ’ringfest mit Tim Schrick & Sabine Schmitz // Mental rentals...

Flying directly in the face of ‘Ring fatigue’ – a term invented by bored wives and car magazine publishers; obviously jealous of us petrolheads with a sensible, Nordschliefe life addiction – welcome to this shameless 70-odd-page Nürburgring Nordschliefe ROAD ’Ring special, sponsored by Green Hell lovers and suspension supremos; KW Suspensions.

Track day organisers par

excellence, RMA, try and run a couple of trips to the world’s greatest circuit every year, usually with one nestled in November; when the mean Eifel mountains can through up some ‘interesting’ weather and driver challenging track conditions.

And November 2008 offered ‘the most challenging and slippery conditions in 20 years of racing here,’ said ’Ring queen, Sabine Schmitz... just one of the uber-

talented faces ROAD hooked up with to shoot this special homage to a very special place.

Also along for the ride was driving god, Tim Schrick, ‘flying Dutchman,’ Jaco Velders, KW test drivers and their exciting, new range of demo cars. And with Tourist laps, VLN racing, ’Ring heroes and a circuit guide also inside, we hope it inspires a trip of your own there in 2009...

The ROAD team

‘Ring special contents

8 Race ace Phil gets to cane the mad, bad

& jack-the-lad C21st hero; GT-R, on the

Nürburgring GP circuit, Eifel roads & more,

on Nissan’s fab ‘Race Academy’ 16 News What’s on the front page of

Nordschleife Life?

20 ’Ring map Introducing the best 73

corners ever 24 Get there... in style, as Tim does,

in his sublime 350Z

30 RMA ’Ringfest Two days of open

lapping, in evil winter weather, with

some great cars, and stars 36 BMW 135i Tim Schrick, Sabine Schmitz

and our Phil slip, slide and summarise

on BMW’s pocket rocket 42 KW demo in how to demolish the

’Ring in a GT3 RS, GT-R, TTS & Scirocco,

mit Tim Schrick and Sabine...

48 Mental rentals Jaco’s Paddock

winner Bimmers

54 Bargain hunt Matt Bagley and a Volvo

go in search of some cut-price lappery on

der ’Ring. Tickets please!

60 VLN Racing Think you are quick on the

Green Hell? Think again, until you’ve won the

epic VLN... on ice.

64 Heroes & videos Fast? But not this

fast eh?

écurie25 Supercar Club

“access to the best supercars on the market for a fraction of the cost of owning them” Autocar

écurie25 membership gives you on average 40 days and 4,500 miles driving our £2m fleet of supercars, including the Audi R8, Ferrari F430 Spider F1 and Lamborghini Murcielago. You enjoy the cars while écurie25 takes care of all the costs and troubles associated with outright ownership.

Full membership costs £9,995, plus a one-off joining fee of £1,500.

Fees are inclusive of VAT and insurance.

Limited number of Half Memberships now available at £5,495.

Current Fleet List:

Cars on order Include:

Maserati GranTurismo Audi R8 Ferrari F430 Spider F1 Ferrari F430 Coupe F1 Ferrari 360 Spider F1 Lamborghini Murcielago Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder E-Gear Bentley Continental GT Convertible Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (997) BMW M3 V8 Range Rover Sport Porsche Cayman S Aston Martin DBS Ferrari F430 Scuderia Audi R8 V10 Nissan GTR

Want a closer look?

We hold regular Open Evenings at our base on Old Street in the City.

Please call or register on our website for more details.

écurie25 limited, 250 Old Street, London, EC1V 9DD. t: 020 7159 2543 e: info@ecurie25.co.uk w: ecurie25.co.uk

Cheap Insurance Rates for Road Magazine Readers Adrian Flux offers specialist insurance to a wide range of vehicles, providing low cost, high quality policies. With over 30 years of experience we will find a policy tailored to your exact needs.

We have great rates for: � High Performance Cars � Classic Cars � American Cars � Jap Imports

� Performance Cars � Limited Mileage � Agreed Value

Visit us for a quote www.adrianflux.co.uk/road

Freephone

Quoteline Hours: Mon to Fri 9.00am - 7.00pm Sat 9.00am - 4.00pm email: quotes@adrianflux.co.uk

0800 505 3000 www.adrianflux.co.uk/road Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Editorial www.roadmagazine.co.uk

Editor: Phil Royle proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk Creative Editor: Tim Hutton tim@roadmagazine.co.uk Features Editor: Matt Bagley matt@roadmagazine.co.uk Publishing Editor: Philip Raby phil@roadmagazine.co.uk

ADVERTISE IN ROAD Target over 30,000 petrolheads

for more details contact Steve Lysandrou, Silverback Media steve@silverbackmedia.co.uk or call 01327 856136 © 2009 Rage Publishing LLP

All rights reserved. All due care is taken in compiling the contents but the publishers, staff and contributors cannot be held responsible for any effects arising therefrom. Reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements but no responsibility can be taken for any resulting transactions. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited materials.

CAMERA WORK NEIL DENHAM FAST MAN WITH A PEN PHIL ROYLE

TRAINING

DAY Icon

. There’s no other word for it. It’s the cult car of the year, decade even. I’m talking about the already mythical R35 GT-R: Nissan’s timely, natural evolution, ney revolution, of the legendary ‘Skyline,’ aka ‘Godzilla.’

Having already pounded the latest 911 Turbo into submission here at der ’Ring (with an astonishing 7m29s), the 473bhp, 434lb ft, twin turbo V6 GT-R just keeps getting better press, and rightly so. Even hardened Porsche lovers, like D-Motor presenters and racers, Tim Schrick and Sabine Schmitz, get into it thinking ‘it’s too heavy’ (1740kg), and get out staggered, claiming the laws of physics are being cheated, with BIG, confused grins on their mugs. It’s a truly paradigm-shifting car, even with the greatest of expectations.

And that’s exactly what I was full of when my invite for Nissan’s imaginative, innovative ‘Race Academy’ pinged into my inbox. This costly, imaginative ‘driver training, familiarisation and

development program’ is available to all lucky European customers – partly as a sweetener for their loyal wait (March ’09 earliest in UK; November for higher spec GT-Rs) and wise early purchase commitment, but also as a shot across the bow for what they are about to get into with their new friend, Godzilla; C21st style. Approach with respect.

The GT-R is cutting edge technology, developed and honed here at the fault-finding North Loop, and surrounding, testing Eifel mountain roads.

The locals are normalised by the sight of them; but none of the 1000s of Race Academy future owners are. And nor am I. Arriving at the Nürburgring GP circuit, where Nissan has taken up residence for weeks on end (and at Silverstone in the UK). The fleet of nice Nissan PR folk and tutors (including ’Ring legend, Dirk Schoysman) don’t get a look in.

Everyone’s eyes are on the fleet of GT-Rs waiting to get a blast – on track, on road and on boost.

This is gonna be one of those days... Marvellous!

Nissan’s fabulous Race Academy is the first proper driving experience for the happy band of European GT-R owners gathered here today in the stormy winter conditions.

Despite the weather (or maybe because of it), everyone is keen to get behind the wheel of the myth and let it rip, cruise on the road and test their new acquisitions’ many boys’ toys. And it soon transpires in the welcome briefing, Nissan has arranged a day to show off fully the product it is obviously, confidently proud of. Additionally, the car that lifted Nissan’s image back into line – the brilliantly simple and sublime 350Z – is also going to play a key role. Awesome.

The action-packed day is split into three main activities, all done 1-2-1 with a tutor.

We started at the ’Ring’s own vehicle test centre and on the GP circuit. The activities included three very amusing hot laps, fully sideways around a flooded GP circuit in a Zed. Then it was quickly into another 350Z; on the wet grip facility, practising the black art of power oversteer on two types of soaked Tarmac, getting

progressively more dizzy, but having huge fun, and learning fast from top tuition. Then there was a very tight, first gear only, TCS-on, autotest sprint in the Zed, bringing out the fighting spirit. Next, it was my first taste of the GT-R; bizarrely, driving it across a kick-plate, sending it into a violent left or right spin, with and without traction aids.

Even more bizarrely, the GT-R span with aids on, and I caught the spin with everything off, but hey, this was also big fun. As was the next bit... a launch, flat out through 1st and 2nd gears, in normal and ‘R’ mode, launch control on. And yes, it’s bloody quick, and deeply impressive finding grip – a point proved next, driving on ice simulators.

Above: GT-R’s stored at RSR Nurburg en masse, looked utterly amazing BOTTOM right: Lined up, fuelled-up and ready for Gp circuit nailing top middle: ’Ringmesiter and gent, Dirk schoysman, just one of many top tutors

Without doubt, the best activity of the day – and the bravest, most costly and generous, as far as Nissan was concerned – was the chance to lap in the GT-R on the Nürburgring GP circuit.

Finally, with the GP’s open expanses, long straights, testing off-camber bends and F1gravel traps, it would be my chance to discover whether

the GT-R really can deliver, and defy its payload.

We start with a demo lap in normal mode, and the handbuilt, twin-turbo V6 beats you into agreement with its brutal acceleration, matched only by the speed and precision of its radical transaxle and twin clutch six-speeder. Silly speeds, instantly. Will it stop? Yup,

incredibly well. Does it turn in? Amazingly. Will it find grip if I get on the power now? No, earlier... and earlier. Can I enter the next bend at this speed?

No, faster. A lot faster. And so it goes on, trumping your brain waves, until you are in R mode, going unreal speeds, struggling to comprehend how it’s doing it all, so darn well. Phenomenal.

Finally, after spending most of the day sideways, against the clock, on boost, grinning inanely or struggling to understand the new-wave GT-R physics lesson, we get to follow a 350Z on a gentle, law-abiding road route through Adenau and the glorious, leaf-billowing Eifel mountain roads.

We are gently encouraged to try out the three different damper settings and transmission/ECU maps, and potter about leisurely, proving the GT-R is a comfortable

daily driver coupe as well as a bonkers track and drag animal.

The exercise works annoyingly well again, particularly on the bumpy sections, where you can really feel the effects of the damper tuning, and button pressing.

Somehow, I fight the urge to overtake the 350Z in a flash of boost and test the GT-R on these fine roads at full tilt. But, even at low speeds, it impresses me and I want one.

At the end of the 350Z wet grip facility drifting, sprint

dynamics course and GT-R track time, you were given a percentage score by your tutor, giving scores for each group (winners got a goody) and overall ‘driver of the day’ – which added a nice, vaguely competitive, masculine element to the ace day. Oh, and you also got each activity recorded on in-car footage onto a little USB stick for gloating with back home; plus a free Arai GT-R helmet. Could it get any better?

Only the day the GT-R arrives on the driveway, eh?

‘

Road reports

What’s happening on our roads

euro boost The Euro-spec Nissan GT-R has been tweeked, prior to its release here in April. The good news is engine power from the hand-built 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 is increased 5PS, to 485PS (torque still 588Nm), Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres are confirmed as standard fit (as used on 7m29s ‘Ring record lap), ‘Storm White’ (Pearl) replaces original pearl white exterior colour, Gun Metal RAYS Alloy wheels are now fitted to GT-R and Premium editions, with Black RAYS alloy wheels for Black Edition. And the spring rates have also been altered, to better suit European road surfaces. The bad news is... it’ll cost more, For customers ordering now, the price of the GT-R will start from £56,795 on the road with an increase of £1300 for the Premium Edition (£58,095) and another £1300 for the Black Edition (£59,395). This represents an increase of 3.8 percent. Still, the car’s worth every yen...

For more information & images, see www.gtrnissan.com

670bhp veritas

new era

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the Veritas RS3, testing hard on the Green Hell. The RS3 was a 2001 concept built around a six-litre V12, borrowed from BMW. It develops a whopping 670bhp... in a shell weighing under a ton.

Veritas was a small German race car manufacturer formed in the 1940s, which went bust in 1952. But the name was revived for the bizarrely attractive, modern, but old school RS3.

Since the 2001 concept launch, the RS3 has gained a bonnet scoop and longer, stretchedback headlights. Looking very cool, eh? The small team of seven Veritas engineers, keen to revive the name of Germany’s fiurst Grand Prix team, claim they will attempt to build 50 cars to order this year. Performance is expected to be ballistic, from the lightweight carbon-kevlar car, with a 0-60 sub 3.5s and 215mph V-max.

Fresh air anyone?

The Nürburgring GP Circuit, North Loop and surrounding infastructure are in the throws of an unprescedented 215million Euro redevelopment program.

The huge re-development of the best circuits in the world includes most of the modules near the race track such as a new Grandstand, Boulevard, Indoor Arena, Event Hall, Welcome Centre and Indoor Attraction section.

Developing the Nürburgring into an all-year Leisure and Business Center has been the most important milestone in its history since the building of the Nordschleife in 1927 and the addition of the Grand Prix circuit in 1984.

The Indoor Attraction Center (thematically designed as “The Nürburgring Legend” (Mythos Nürburgring), will feature the fastest roller coaster in the world, which should keeop the 2.2million vistitors PA happy.

For more information & images, see www.veritas-automobile.de

For more information and the virtual tour, see www.nuerburgring.de

ROAD are pleased to announce our new competition giveaway… to win a day spent sideways, in your own car, with expert drift tuition… in conjunction with www.motorsportvision.co.uk, their Club MSV (www.clubmsv.co.uk) and their ‘Drift School’ at Oulton Park circuit in the North West.

MSV’s Alex Baker said: “Going sideways in style is a skill that's as rewarding as it is exciting to watch.

MotorSport Vision’s ‘Introduction to Drifting’ day is designed to teach you the basics of oversteer and powersliding in your own rear-wheeldrive, or four-wheel-drive car. You’ll be 'steering from the rear' before you know it… and all in the safety of MSV's own purpose-built tarmac rally stages at Oulton Park.

Usually priced at £125, the day represents excellent value for money with instruction included free of charge. And, if you win the competition… it’ll be absolutely FREE, like ROAD magazine itself… perfect in this credit crunch climate. All you will need to bring is your own RWD or 4WD vehicle to go broadside in safety in, on MSV’s bespoke tarmac rally/drift stages at Oulton.

For more information on the detail of the courses visit www.motorsportvision.co.uk/roaddrifting, or call 0870 850 5014.

To enter the competition, simply answer the following ridiculously simple question: How many circuits in the UK does MSV’s Johnathan Palmer own and run? And what are their names?

Please send answers to thegarage@roadmagazine.co.uk The winner will be selected at random, with the date to be arranged with Club MSV directly, after the winner is revealed…

Happy drifting!

The ROAD Team

Your very own Road trip!

Don’t just read about great road trips, join us and other Road readers for a blast down to the French Riviera

Don’t just read about great road trips, join us and other Road readers for a blast down to the French Riviera Road, in conjunction with Driving Adventures, has put together a fantastic driving holiday to give you the opportunity to experience some of Europe’s best roads.

Driving Adventures take the stress out of touring, because all the hotels are prebooked and the route pre-planned. All you have to do is turn up in your car and drive!

French Riviera

Monaco / St Tropez / Millau Bridge / two gorge runs / Route Napoleon / Italian tunnel run / Monaco Supercar show with VIP entrance 2nd - 9th april 2009

What’s more, you’ll be with like-minded driving enthusiasts, including staff from Road, so there’ll be time to chat and make new friends.

For details, click here

Pre-driven route: everything has been researched and meticulously planned in advance.

navigation always ensuring that you drive at your pace.

Hand-picked hotels: chosen for their character, remote location and facilities.

Two-way radios: to keep the banter going throughout the day and keep in touch with tour staff.

Pre-programmed satellite navigation systems: in each car for the ultimate in stress-free

Support staff: from Driving Adventures and Road on hand throughout the tour.

What you need to know 8 days – including one optional drive/free day 2nd April to Sunday 9th April 2009 High-quality hotels Prices start from £995 per person Limited places – book early

WEHRSEIFEN Severe left, made by the approach through Metzgesfeld & Kallenhard. Trail brake entry.

NURBURGRING GUIDE

ADENAUER-FORST High speed approach vital, into R-L-R complex with blind uphill approach. Stay left.

FUCHSROHRE ‘Foxhole’ is mega steep downhill. Use the compression at base to gain grip. No brakes.

SCHWEDENKREUZ ‘Swedish cross’ is VERY fast. Crash here would be horrendous. Critical to get line bob on...

FLUGPLATZ ‘Flying place’ is the literal translation. And, in a quick car, you will be.

Stay left b4 the crest...

BERGWERK The flat approach to Bergwerk is where Lauda lost his ear. Tricky section to master.

HOCHEICHEN Great overtaking opportunity, on the way in, as inside line opens, with limited speed loss.

KLOSTERAL Hugely fast, flat-out section on run up to Karussell. Entry flat. Exit ultra quick/close to barrier.

KARUSSELL Aim for the big fir tree as entry point, blind.

Steady on steep banking: It’s V hard on cars.

WIPPERMAN Crash the curbs to make good progress through this fun ‘roller coaster’ section.

BRUNNCHEN The locals gather here.. to watch shunts. Steady entry, but faster than you think exit. Enjoy!

PFLANZGARTEN After the woods, this open section is a welcome relief, symbolising the end is nigh.

DOTTINGER-HOHE Enjoy the best V-Max experience, carving flat out through Tiergarten curves. Yee-haa!

Most crucially, one must always consider the 12.9-mile run around the North Loop as a different lap every time – like the sea, conditions are never the same twice here.

And, when a lap takes anywhere from 8 to 10 minutes in most high performance cars, surface conditions and grip levels fluctuate wildly with each loop, especially in a race, with competitors dropping oil, fuel, fluids and body panels all over the track, lap on lap.

RSR Ron says: “Obviously, it’s most difficult when wet. It’s not like being wet at Spa, where what you see, is what you get.

The ’Ring hides greasy bends,

suddenly leaving you with no grip, on the conventional line.

“When it’s wet here, I drive and teach a wider, later entry outside line, which helps you find grip, but takes some getting used to, as you ignore most conventional entry points and apexes.”

Here are Ron’s top tips for some of the more testing sections of the Green Hell: Aremberg: Greasy, steep downhill braking zone into Foxhole. Steady, or it’s gravel trap time here.

Metzgesfeld: Watch out for understeer just after the apex, on this off-camber, very fast,

downhill left-hander.

Wehrseifen: First left-hander causes instant understeer, which can create a spin over left-hand kerbs, on exit. Very slippery here.

Breidscheid/Ex-Muhle: Bridge is extremely greasy and mid-bend bumps unsettle cars.

Bergwerk: Braking zone always low grip, under dark trees.

But apex to exit is worse still.

Terrifying in wet.

Karussell: When wet, the banked concrete is very low grip. If you come out mid-bend, you will crash. Steady approach.

Brunnchen: The most dangerous crash spot, especially post-apex. Caution.

Herzlich willkommen im Dorint Am Nürburgring Genießen Sie in einmaliger Motorsport-Atmosphäre an der weltberühmten Rennstrecke perfekte Erholung in der herrlichen Landschaft der Hocheifel. Überzeugen Sie sich im Inneren vom klaren modernen Design des Dorint am Nürburgring.

Sie überblicken von jedem unserer 207 Zimmer die imposante Kulisse des Nürburgrings. Alle Zimmer sind mit Satelliten-TV, Telefon, Minibar und Modemanschluss ausgestattet.

Qualität, Frische und Großzügigkeit erwarten Sie beim „Stopp“ in unserem à la carte Restaurant „Fascination“.

Dorint Am Nürburgring/Hocheifel

In der futuristischen Lobbybar oder in der legendären „Cockpitbar“ entspannen Sie in lockerer Geselligkeit.

Grand-Prix-Strecke D-53520 Nürburg Tel.: +49/2691/309 - 0 Fax: +49/2691/309 - 460

Spannung draußen am Ring – innen Entspannung in unserer Badelandschaft mit Sauna und Dampfbad.

info.nuerburgring@dorint.com www.dorint.com/nuerburgring

STRANGE MAN WITH A CHEAP WATERPROOF TIM HUTTON

A LONG KISS GOODBYE Nissan’s 350Z bows out to the awesome new 370 in a few months. road uses the oppotunity to sign off this great little GT with a road trip to the ’Ring

T

he Nürburgring is a lot closer than you think: Four hours’ solid driving from Calais or Dunkerque will see you parked at the world’s most daunting race track. Call me a traditionalist –or maybe skint – but I always prefer to go by ferry, It gives me an hour or two of downtime to plot and consider the next few days. For this trip, I choose the Norfolkline ferry to Dunkerque. It’s cheap as chips,

serves top British grub and drops you mere metres from the Belgian border.

Once on the mainland, there are plenty of routes to choose from for your drive down. We pick the E40, as today we’re stopping off in Koln to visit a friend at Toyota F1. While not the most exciting route, it’s a fairly swift chug through the miles and before long we are parked up outside the factory.

Unfortunately, I’m sworn to secrecy, so can’t say much more on the subject, other than I was suitably impressed!

If I can offer you only one piece of golden advice in this waffle, it’s don’t try to drive to the ’Ring for the first time at night. Once you’re off the main E40 drag, the roads get fun and twisty... oft leading to some of the bigger crashes that happen at the Nurburgring – off track!

LEFT: Z plus stickers equals me feeling cool BOTTOM LEFT: TO me the z shares its profile with the classic 993, in C2 guise i’d have the nissan, too BELOW: pleasingly shaped mirrors help you check out what you’ve just overtaken

RIGHT: tired jaguar is hopefully heading to a good home MIDDLE RIGHT: currywurst, in adenau looks bad, tastes yummy BOTTOM RIGHT: arriving back at the ferry, don’t forget to blip that throttlE whilE the exhaust is nicely warmed through BELOW: smart garage in koln is unique but a bit of a hassle if you want the one at the top...

While the Editor is soaking up his aches in the Dorint sauna (arrrrrr, Ed) , I’ve taken up a very kind offer of a mattress in an attic for a few nights in Barweiler.

Said person’s attic is Jaco Velders. ’Ring instructor and race car preper Jaco has around 20,000 laps under his belt. Over a Bittburger Jaco explains the next few days aren’t going to be that much fun – post-race debris, diesel and wet weather have mad the ’Ring more like a rink. Great. Time for some food.

Adenau, the local big town is the best spot. And, being an expizza boy, Pinocchio stands out for me; great banter and quite literally the biggest pizza I have ever seen. I also take time to grab a drink in the Pistenklause.

The walls are littered with ’Ring hero memorabillia. And it’s worth splashing out on a local steak on a hot stone.

While in Adenau, or at the Dottinger-Hohe cafe, you must have currywurst-frites. Then head over to one of my favourite viewing points near the second public enterance. The righthander heading off up the hill is the very spot where the stars of ‘7-second ’Ring king’ came a croper. Also, head down to the Aston Martin garage at night.

While we were there, they had the Gulf DBR9 lit up in the window. Raw sex.

You can read elswhere in this issue about our track antics, so I’ll talk about the 350Z. What always amazes me about this little GT is that it fits so much luggage. Fully loaded with two people, sleeping bags, four days’ of clothes, camera bags and tripods, the Z still feels just as nimble at autobahn pace.

I ventured out onto the ice’Ring for a few laps in the Z. It really is great when you get it out on track; the balance and steering feel give you confidence, but it doesn’t lull you into a false sense of security, like some of the Jap 4WDs might.

The drive home gave me one last opportunity to stretch the Z’s legs down the autobahn. Damn I love this car! As we reach Dunkerque she is purring. I’m gutted I have to stop driving for a bit, and by the time I get back on the road again, that exhaust will have cooled down and stopped popping. Once again the Z has been the perfect partner. Bring on 370. Long-live 350Z.

Thanks…

Terry Steeden at Nissan www.nissan.co.uk Jaco, Biggi and family for their kind hospitality www.jacos-paddock.com Graham at RMA for the access www.rma-limited.com

CAMERA WORK NEIL DENHAM AND TIM HUTTON WORDS OF WISDOM PHIL ROYLE

November 2008: www.RMAtrackdays.co.uk annual two-day, no ticket barriers, open lapping heaven on the green hell: slip-sliding-away. Broadside!

T

he Eifel skies are heavy with torrential, freezing rain. The Koln-Ahrweiler Rally VLN nuts have deposited a lethal cockatil of oil, coolant, crash debris and a definite smell of fear on the best 12.9-miles of Tarmac on the planet. ’Ring queen, Sabine Schmitz said “it’s the most slippery I have known in 20 years of racing here,” and even seasoned ‘hands’ are papping it, and certainly wishing they’d not fitted the Cup tyres, dammit.

RMA boss, Graham Clarke, is used to such challenges, and swiftly organises local ’Ring tutor, Ron Simons to run one of his infamous ‘track walks’ – which goes down a treat and proves to be a stroke of genius. Not one car goes off into the barriers on day one...

Inspired; as is the car quality, cameraderie and unrivalled, beautifully quiet, free access to this awesome place; made even more of a challenge in these conditions. Grease is the word.

LEFT: evil black caterham seven sideways into Steilstrecke BOTTOM LEFT: Quality can always be found with RMA days.

24Hr V8 Vantage racer in action Fast and sounding lush BELOW: Can you name the car behind this fancy exhaust?

RMA attracts everything from stripped Alfa 75 to big ÂŁ lambos

RIGHT: RMA boss, graham, with the lovely Sabine at the end of two successful, wet days MIDDLE RIGHT: RSR Dale Lomas, in no ’70s shades shocker BOTTOM RIGHT: RMA days are always 911-strong BELOW: Hospitality tent was rammed in the hideous weather, as everyone took brave bills

RIGHT: Trying hard to keep up with Tim Schrick in the Kw GT3 RS, and failing!

MIDDLE RIGHT: 800bhp gumpert apollo not ideal in these conditions eh? Nice though BOTTOM: Tidy 911T enjoys another quiet, slippery lap of the green hell BELOW: the cars may have evolved, but the graffti here at the ’Ring is old school. heritage counts

> 2009 RMA Calendar Tue 21st April 2009

Snetterton

Tue 25th August 2009

Mallory Park

Mon 4th May 2009

RAF Odiham

Sun 6th September 2009

RAF Odiham

Tue 19th May 2009

Brands Hatch GP

Wed 9th September 2009

Silverstone GP

Wed 3rd June 2009

Rockingham

Tue 29th September 2009

Brands Hatch GP

Wed 1st July 2009

Oulton Park

Mon 19th October 2009

Spa Francorchamps

Mon 13th July 2009 (2 days) Spa Francorchamps

Mon 19th October 2009 (2 days) Spa Francorchamps

Mon 13th July 2009

Spa Francorchamps

Tue 20th October 2009

Spa Francorchamps

Tue 14th July 2009

Spa Francorchamps

Sun 8th November 2009

RAF Odiham

Tue 4th August 2009

Silverstone GP

Sunday 26th July 2009

RAF Odiham: Trackday Extravaganza – Includes lunch and static displays ++

For further information on the RMA Circuit Club please contact us: tel: +44 (0)845 260 4545 email: enquiries@rmatrackdays.com web: www.rmatrackdays.com

CaptainOversteer Clubman rally champ and luxury car dealer, Sean Lockyear, is a regular at the RMA Nürburgring-fests, and arguably the club’s best driver... in broadside. So, Tim buckles in for a wild ride in one of his trusty 911 steads

frankie boyle look a like TIM HUTTON SUPER SHARP SHOOTER NEIL DENHAM

E

arly on day two of our ’Ring trip, I’m offered a ride in Sean Lockyear’s ‘everyday’ trackprepped 911SC, loosely based on his fully bells and whistles rally car. Sean knows this car inside out (I’m glad to say!) and he also knows his way around here (he races in the VLN) – two big things I like to

be sure of before I go on track, especially here.

Tearing off down the first few corners at T13, his rally experience really shows up.

And our soaking wet lap is on par with the famous RUF video, only we are sliding everywhere, linking left-right corners with ballet-like-grace.

Happy, ballsy Sean gives

a running commentary throughout: At Aremberg, he tells me we are ‘all out of grip’ and that he will come off the brakes, scoot over the gravel trap and get onto the grass and carry on! And he’s right, too.

But we re-join quickly, straight back into oversteer for the rest of this magnificent Tarmac playground. Awesome!

’Ringmeisters, TIM ScHRICK AND SA Phil – PUT BMW’S FIESTY LITTLE 13 BINE SCHMITz – and ‘our’ 5I THROUGH ITS PACES CAMERAMEN WITH BA LLS NEIL DENHAM & WWW.FROZENSPEED DRIVER HUMBLED BY .COM REAL TALENT PHIL RO YLE

T

here are times in my lif e baby Bimmer, at full chat on the where I genuninely The BMW 135i is do best 73 bends in a truly th e bu siness: C21st perfor feel blessed, and this m an ce car. Great is Nürburgring Nord schleife. one of them. Not only va lu e, at under £30K OTR, has BMW Said mates are D UK very generous -M ot or st un ning blend of perfor ly loaned TV pres mance enters, race aces me perhaps the be , an d ec on omy from its flexible, st moder n ’Ringmei sters and all-round era BMW ever built m us cular, blown six-po (after Z4M lovely pe t and ople, Tim Schrick an coupe) – the 300bhp d co m fo rt ab le, yet quick – finding three-litre, Sabine Sc hmitz: Two of the very twin turbo 135i, but th at rare and sought-after two of my fastest, m blend ost gifted drivers I Germanic buddies of an ex ce llent ride, with superb are up for have ha d the pleasure of ridi helping me appraise ng ha nd ling. On paper, and on the bionic shotgun the with. Bring it on... road, the 135i has it al l.

Right: Tim schric k is the most natural dr iver I’ve sat next to after Co lin Mcrae.

BOTTOM LEFT: 135 not that happy in the very wet on day one, but a weapo n in the dry.

BELOW: Sabine Sc hmitz gets set to test the ba by bimmer on the green hell : buckle up. middle: 135 suits stylish Dorint hotel very well

But what about here at the 155mph, 5.3s to 60mph, RWD dr fault-finding Nürburgr ifts, in forth or fif ing? Can lightweigh th gear, t ro ad rocket... and WAY it cope? Will it be as be fore the bends, an fast as I the small m d atter of Tim Schrick think it will be? Bette di d that all the way arou r in wet or at the he nd. We lm, in the soaking wet dry? And will Sabine , ov er to ok everyone like they or Tim like slippery -as-ice track condition it? Only one way to fin s. w er e on the brakes. And d out...

Good on you Neil. Br all the ave boy.

First up, it’s Tim... with tim e he was moaning abou Road About nine-mins late t snapper, Neil Denham r, TIm is the steering – a ’Ring back. Neil – cursing the car! is green, but smiling virgin – along for ba He was staggering llast. Talk and man ,” before ages to spit out: “I about a baptism of t di sa ppearing to re-set hi fire... first was hila mself. rious. Within second ’Ring lap ever, with s, Ti m ge ts a 300bhp, he was in out and says: “I love to these massive big the engine, and the ch assis and

Above: Our Phil takes tips from Tim & Sabine, entering epic Karussell at full bore

suspension are good. But the steering feel is terrible, and the tyres are not great, which is a shame, as you can not really feel what is going on. I turned the TCS off, but the car was too sideways, so had it on halfway mode, which seemed to work well. I like it, but it’s flawed...”

Enter Sabine, who is no stranger to BMWs as the M5 ’Ring taxi queen. She takes me out for a flyer... and is as impressive as ever. Her knowledge of the track’s nuances, and ability to extract the best from any car around here is astonishing. And the BMW 135i is properly quick, passing everyone else on track, as Tim did earlier..’ much to GT3

RS owners’ annoyance!

Sabine says:“It’s quicker than the E90 M5 around here. Easily an eight-minute lapper, which is impressive, especially for the money. The engine is really good, with torque like a diesel, but revs and power like a good straight six should have. To get it sideways, you have to treat it rough, with a Scandinavian flick, but its steering feel is not so good, to find the grip again, which is a shame. I like it, though, and it is very fast. It looks like BMW may be going back to its small, lighter car roots, I hope.

This is a grown-up E30 M3 for today’s marketplace.”

The truth is, this boosted

baby Bimmer is brilliant, even with its slightly vague steering/ iffy rubber. In the awful wet, it survived. But in the dry... it’s a total weapon. And on the road, it’s fabulous. I love this car. I love this track and I love drivers like Tim and Sabine – raw talent.

Thanks…

Martin Harrison at BMW www.bmw.co.uk Charlotte Brooks at Eurotunnel www.eurotunnel.com Graham at RMA for the access www.rma-limited.com Tim Schrick & Sabine Scmitz for their ace pace and the crack

BOING!

TIM SHRICK, SABINE SCHMITz and the KW suspensions test team let rip in their GT3 RS, GT-R, TTS & Scirocco GTi demos STEADY EDDY NEIL DENHAM LUCKY GIT PHIL ROYLE

KW

are rapidly establishing a richly-deserved name for themselves as ‘the’ suspension kit manufacturer for fast road, track day and ’Ring trip living.

And if you didn’t believe me before reading this... you bloody should do at the end.

The reason I have such faith? I’ve just witnessed a stunning series of the best, fastest, perfectly controlled laps of my lucky Nordschleife life here, and all fab four KW performance cars were equipped with innovative new KW coilover kits. And these

are not full three-way race kits; they are affordable, daily driver, ocassional track time packs... perfectly honed for fast lapping of the fabulous, flowing Green Hell, and the rocking roads around it.

KW founder and MD, Jürgen Wohlfarth is here with the

RMA ’Ringfest with four evil KW demo cars for ROAD to test, on the ’Ring, in pretty evil conditions. He looks worried.

As such – tempted as I might be to grab all four sets of keys and let rip, then profess a hack’s ‘review’ of kinds on you, and for KW – I’ve taken the strain off Jürgen’s face, by bringing in the big guns. Yup,

Sabine Schmitz & Tim Schrick are back on the ROAD payroll!

The truth is, much as they liked the run out in the 135i, I wanted to make their ’Ring trip a bit more special... and the ace KW demo car fleet provided the perfect answer, much to Jürgen’s delight also... as he will be getting the feedback of people

that actually matter, not my waffle. So, everyone’s happy, especially Tim and Sabine, who have yet to experience the full force of Nissan’s paradigmshifting GT-R yet. Hee-hee-hee.

Let’s get on with it.

At the sharp end, KW have provided NBR 24Hr legends, Manthey with race kit components in recent years,

LEFT: Sabine gets stuck into the green hell in the Kw nissan GT-R... and loves it!

BOTTOM: driving-God, tim schrick takes the Kw gt3 RS up and over its limits, 100% safely, at adenauer-forst. broadside enough?

leading to a spate of historic wins for the leading German Porsche tuners. But KW are not happy ‘just’ providing kits for race aces. KW want to sell great kits to thee and me, to “bring the best out of our chosen performance cars.” Such kits include the new Hydraullic Lift System (HLS) anti-speed-bump/kerb

coilover kit (20-30mm raise), as fitted to their mean GT3 RS. We start with the black ’n’ tan 911, and Tim. And what follows are two of the most beautifully balanced, utterly skilled laps of the Green Hell I have ever witnessed. End of.

Sadly, the video footage we shot of all KW cars was stolen, so you will have to use

your imagination, suffice to say, I think the pictures of the GT3 RS on the bump stops, in glorious full power oversteer, on “the most slippery track in 20 years,” should demonstrate something to you.

One mental section – Adenauer-Forst – sticks out.

Tim approaches up the foxhole at well over a ton. Then, with

the entry to A-F still blind, uphill, he throws the GT3 into a huge forth gear drift, instantly on the bump stops, no more lockleft to apply, inches from the barrier. Tim is not fussed. Inside the 911, he casually plays with the throttle and steering and drops cogs, bringing the GT3 perfectly into the apex, before swinging the

car into a lurid slide the other way, exiting A-F’s left-hander on the rumble strips, fully broadside. Oh. My. God. Back at the paddock, Tim says: “The GT3 is good fun, simply because the car is so very honest. You can feel absolutely anything in the steering and suspension and that’s why I can communicate

so well with it, and how I can play with it at what seems like high limits.” ‘Seems like!’ What is he like? Nutter.

Enter Michael Grassl, KW motorsport manager, who wants to show off the two hot hatches: New Scirocco GTi (with KW Clubsport kit, rims and rubber) and new Audi TTS (tuned to 330bhp, re-mapped

LEFT: Sabine leaves Grune Holle for inaugural GT-R test flight. Hold on tight!

BOTTOM LEFT: Tim tells the Kw team how things really are. this page: Audi tts & scirocco were great, and bettered by KW. but lapping with Sabine is better still.

Goddess!

DSG ’box, KW’s, strip, Recaros, lightweight rims and new Dunlop Direnza Cups). Nice.

The Scirocco is deeply cool, and certainly handles superbly, far flatter than its OE rival. But the TTS is in another league, as Michael aptly demonstrates, with an absolute belter of a lap... including easily reigning in some fifth gear oversteer at Metzgesfeld. The modification package came together superbly, centred around

Thanks…

Charlotte Brooks at Eurotunnel www.eurotunnel.com Graham at RMA for the access www.rma-limited.com All at KW Suspensions www.kwautomotive.de Tim Schrick & Sabine Schmitz for their ace pace and the crack

far superior-than-standard mecahnical grip; thanks to the KW coilovers, rims and rubber.

But the best was yet to come, in the KW GT-R, with its Cup rubber and split rims.

Neither Tim or Sabine had felt the GT-R’s full force, and both got in skeptical about its 1740kg bulk. But they got out, as everyone does, blown away, questioning how it defies physics. They loved it: “No one can out-move the

laws of physics, but the GT-R does it somehow. It’s heavy, of course, but the things you can do are unreal. The steering feel, sensations, transmission, engine... everything is good.

You can have some really good power slides,” Tim grins. And Sabine agrees: “With KW and wider tyres, it’s unbelievably fast – not for someone without balls! You can feel the weight, but it’s so unbelievable.”

KW rule at der ‘Ring, gottit?

Stradale Media – the Automotive media company, with over 50 years combined, top-level media experience on tap to boost your company media profile and provide accurate solutions for all your media and marketing needs.

Stradale Media is a full service automotive PR and marketing agency, pooling a vast, experienced creative talent of writers, designers and photographers, specialising in all forms of automotive brand development, media coverage, advertising campaigns, marketing and promotion.

Our client list includes Subaru Cars, Isuzu Cars, Daihatsu Cars, RMA Track Days, Gumball, Bullrun, Tracktive Solutions PR, Leyton Clarke Racing, Fisher German CS, RICS UK, KW Suspensions, Opentrack.co.uk, and European Porsche tuners.

Call Stradale Media now to see what we can do for your company – at highly competitive prices. One call or email, and we can provide all your PR solutions…

Stradale Media Contact Phil Royle Email: phil@stradalemedia.com Telephone: +44 (0)1379-688168 or +44(0)7946-610193 (Snetterton Office)

Tim Hutton Email: tim@stradalemedia.com Telephone: +44 (0)7788 177 555 (Goodwood Office)

www.stradalemedia.com

PEN KEEPER TIM HUTTON RING TRAINED TOG NEIL DENHAM

MENTAL RENTALS

ROad spends a few hours with jaco velders, owner of jacos paddock, a one stop shop for race and track ready hire cars AND 1-2-1 TUITION. He also does a sideline in seriously hot laps in his prized, RAPID LOTUS EXIGE..

B

eing a bit of a BMW fan, I’m pretty excited at the prospects of Jaco’s selection of mental rental hire ‘Ring cars on offer.

Ranging from a lightly fettled E30 318is (only 145bhp, but 1000kg & laps in 8m40s!), to two pukka VLN-spec, stripped out, FIA approved E36 325i’s. And there’s a shiny new E46 M3 coming onto the fleet over Winter. Oh, and an Exige!

Jaco is a top bloke and a great laugh. But when it comes down to driving on the ‘Ring, he is serious, and seriously quick, especially in the dry. He has only crashed here twice in 10,000 laps, and both times have been when the track is like it is going to be over the next few days – soaked! Gulp!

But Jaco’s experience, tuition style and well set-up hire cars mean his clients are

in the safest possible hands, on this most challenging of circuits – where tuition really does make a world of difference to your lap times.

Not being the world’s greatest passenger, I let mate Ben take the first shift. On the uber-slippery circuit. Ben comes back teling me “It was f**king fast and a bit scary, but Jaco really knew what he was doing, which helped me learn

MAIN: EXPERT TUITION WILL MAKE YOU QUICKER THAN ANY POWER UPGRADE TOP RIGHT: ‘Ring student, jAMES BROWN’S METICULOUS ATTENTION TO LEARNING THE LINES IS IMPRESSIVE BOTTOM RIGHT: BEN AND JACO SET OFF FOR SOME HOT LAPS IN THE EXIGE

and relax.” Then, I go out...

Jaco’s super smooth driving soon puts me at ease.

And, for the first time, I can fully appreciate how much this track climbs and drops.

Anything else on the track is quickly dealt with in a devastating fashion. Even more

impressive is Jaco’s footwork... substantiating rumours that he was once an extra in Fame. Jaco puts Fred Astaire to shame. We lap the damp course in 7:44s – pretty darn good going eh?

And we spent most of the lap flat out in top!

Back in the paddock,

steading the nerves with a cuppa, I chat to James Brown (pictured top right), who has come over from Bath for an extensive, intensive few weeks of 1-2-1 tuition from Jaco. He says: “I used to race and am just getting back into it again, so wanted some decent tuition,

here at the ‘Ring, and I found Jaco on the internet. We’ve gone through the basics of getting to know the place and learning the lines, to the nuances of each section and building up the confidence, and the speed. It’s been fantastic. The demo laps in the

E30 318iS were unbelievable. I didn’t realise what you can get such a simple old BMW to do here, with the right set-up, and driving style: We were passing everyone. I’m really enjoying spending my kids’ inheritance with Jaco, here at the ‘Ring!”

So, there you have it...

firsthand: Jaco, aka “the flying Dutchman” is “the man who can...” make you quicker, safer and have more fun on the Green Hell. Oh, and scare seven shades out of you on one of his scorching hot laps, especially in the Exige. Jaco’s mental ‘Ring rentals rule! Book!

PRACTIcE MAKES PERFECT Road snapper & ’Ring novice, Neil Denham discovers the joys of ’Ring tuition, in one of Jaco’s 325i mental rentals

M

y first experience of the Nordschleife was in with Tim Schrick, in the pouring rain and it was BIG fun sliding around the corners in the 135i. Then Phil and I followed Tim in the GT3 RS, taking some snaps, which left me feeling none too grand; I was working hard not to redecorate the dashboard of a Nissan GT-R! But an hour later, I was offered a drive in Jaco’s BMW 325i –the perfect way to feel better, focusing the mind.

How hard could it be driving round the Green Hell anyway?

In I get and past the gate,

onto the track, and Jaco’s first words are “don’t brake! Stay left... ” and from there on in, I put complete trust in him. It reminds me of driving along Hadrian’s Wall; if you know the road, stay flat. If not, lift!

“No! More speed,” Jaco says “and stay right.” I’m thinking, I can’t see the road, never mind the corner! But I start to relax a bit and slowly trust Jaco’s instruction – after all, he doesn’t want to die, either!

Finally, I pass the crazy Karussell and am soon onto the final sections, which are much better and faster.

I want to keep going for another lap, but a driver is waiting for his fun in the 325i.

This is very addictive – much better than golf! Thanks Jaco. I will get better – I promise!

Thanks…

Jaco, Biggi and family for their kind hospitality www.jacos-paddock.com Graham at RMA for the access www.rma-limited.com If you want to get 1-2-1 tuition from Jaco, contact Road magazine for offers...

Jaco Velders

Nurburgring Racing Opportunity www.jacos-paddock.com Ringmeister and ‘flying Dutchman,’ Jaco Velders – with over 10,000-laps experience at the ’Ring – is offering YOU the chance to race at the world’s most incredible racing circuit; Nürburgring Nordschleife… in one of the most exciting racing series in Europe, the VLN “All you have to do is book us at www.jacospaddock.com and we take care of everything” Jaco Velders

ITINERARY Thursday Arrive in Cologne Stay in pre-booked hotel

Jaco’s bespoke racing packages cover everything – from providing, settingup and supporting race-prepped BMWs, ‘Ring training, airport transfers, accommodation, licence and administration, and even showing you where to go for a great meal in the glorious Eifel region.

Jaco’s Paddock offers a variety of race cars for rental and bespoke package deals for clientele. We look forward to helping you live the dream… follow in the footsteps of the greats, Bell, Bellof, Manthey, Schmitz… and race on the Nordschleife, while Jaco’s Paddock takes care of everything.

get in touch TODAY – 1-2-1 driver training also on offer call +49(0)163 3376377 email info@jacos-paddock.com NB: A German National A Race Licence is required before you can race in the VLN, which Jaco’s Paddock will arrange.

Jaco and his crew also do personal training on the Nordschleife to enhance racecraft and Nordschleife driving skills.

Friday Nürburgring practice, familiarisation with car and circuit training Saturday Qualifying and race plus hospitality for family, friends and sponsors Sunday Return to Cologne

CAMERA WORK DEE GRAHAM STRANGE MAN WITH A VOLVO MATT BAGLEY

ECONOMY DRIVE

Why fork out on Porsche tyres when, for less money, you can have a brace of bangers that will be just as much fun around the Nürburgring. Maybe

W

hile waiting for tyres to be fitted to photographer Dee Graham’s 996 Turbo, I suggested that, with the same money, he was spending on rubber, he could buy two cars and take them to the Nürburgring. Possibly even bring them back again. Surely, I argued, that’s got to be more satisfying than buying tyres.

Five minutes later, I found myself shaking on a bet involving saving him money, by spending mine. In an agreement only slightly different from the one I had in mind, Dee would take his 911 all the way to the ’Ring, and I’d take whatever piece or

pieces of junk I could find on eBay for less than the total price of his tyres.

So, enter my newly acquired 1996 Volvo 850R and 1992 BMW 535i. Collectively they have 320,000 miles on the clock, 27 owners, an alleged 550bhp, and nearly two months tax.

Not long after, we find ourselves as VIPs (which only cost another £20 per person), which means, not only are we first onboard the boat to Dunkirk, but we’re also entitled access to a dedicated suite crammed with opulence, exclusivity and pastries. As soon as we’ve abandoned our cars we sprint to

the free-stuff suite and spend the next two hours greedily gorging on complimentary shortbread.

Then we have a long wander around the ship in search of giant Toblerones, and people to flash our VIP badges at.

Once back on the road, I elect to jump in the BMW for the first leg and almost immediately regret it. Its condition really has deteriorated in the last few hundred miles and, along with the added sounds of impending failure, it’s now developed an Armco-seeking dive when I brake without adding a half turn of lock on the steering wheel.

Worse, the radio has stopped

working, meaning all I can hear are the sounds of things slowly coming undone.

Finally, we arrive at the Ringhaus, our hotel for the night, and head straight for the bar.

I don’t recall a beer ever tasting better. This is mainly because over the next five hours we drunk a lot of them, and I don’t really remember much of anything after that. Needless to say, we must have gone to bed at some point, but I don’t recall that either.

Next morning – very late –

we venture outside to do our slightly lame pre-‘Ring checks, only to find that Dee is doing nothing. He doesn’t have to. He has a Porsche. The only fluid check he does is drink all my Diet Coke.

Three oily minutes later, I’m sitting at the entrance barrier, keen to get on track before anyone else. Larkman is in with me in the Volvo, to act as spotter while Dee has some lunatic biker in with him we’d met the night before.

I don’t know what happened.

I really tried. But it all just seemed to happen all at once.

There were no clues, no warning lights, no sudden loss of grip, it just happened. All of a sudden, we’re enjoying ourselves.

More worrying yet, we’ve become competitive, and apart from the dispiriting sonic boom of being passed by Dee’s Turbo every eight minutes or so, we’re actually doing pretty well, given our collective skill set. We’re having a good time regardless of the time, and we both agree that if we died now neither of

us would mind. If nothing else it would save driving all the way home again.

Time for the BMW, then.

I’m feverishly caning Oreos in an attempt to keep the taste of fear off my tongue, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Problem is, Larkman is an excellent driver, but his self- restraint is a disaster. And we’re in a car with no grip, no brakes and an open differential. Sadly, Larkman has already forgotten about all of this, and he’s already trying to drift it around the faster corners,

albeit annoyingly well.

Six exciting laps later, despite putting up a brave fight, the tyres have all but gone, so we rattle off one more lap then rattle off the track, only to find Dee waiting to go out, and feverishly looking for a spotter. I don’t even bother to undo the strap on my now swamp-like helmet, and dutifully climb in beside him.

While you may know that the 911 Turbo is the safest and grippiest variant possible, it doesn’t feel like it from the passenger seat. It just feels, well,

too quick, really. I nonchalantly mention to Dee that his lowest speed so far is comfortably higher than our highest speed in the Volvo, but he rightly ignores me and gets on with devouring each corner as if it were my steak from the night before.

We easily turn out eight consistent laps without even a hint of brake fade or cooked clutch, and then it’s my turn.

As I launch Dee’s pride-andjoy onto the first straight as if being chased by an unpaid hotelier, I’m astonished anew,

and once more feel myself falling hopelessly in love with its sheer technical brilliance.

And then, suddenly, as if we’ve accelerated so hard we’ve skipped forward in time, our holiday is over. We’ve had a amazing adventure, met some great people, been VIPs, stayed in a fabulous hotel and eaten more steak than a Texan. And all of it on the cheap.

OK I’m not sure that my ‘budget is better’ philosophy is all that operational. After all, I’ve easily spent more on petrol in the last three days than I did buying both the Volvo and the BMW, and the perverse logic of that means I can’t quite justify

the whole thing as cheap thrills.

That said, despite their lowly price tag, not one of us would argue that both the bangers were anything less than amazing. Over the 1200 miles covered – most of it flat-out, including many laps of the world’s funnest tarmacadam – there was not one mechanical failure. That’s pretty impressive, at any price.

Better yet, their lack of power or handling didn’t detract from the experience, and while we may not have had more fun than Dee in his 911 Turbo, we certainly didn’t have any less fun.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m just off to try and find a cheap Porsche 911 Turbo.

Thanks… ...to Frank Hiersekorn at The Ringhaus Hotel www.ringhaus.com Alison Fryer at Arai www.whyarai.co.uk Isabelle Pasini at Alpinestars www.alpinestars.com Nick Stevens at Norfolkline www.norfolkline.com

Ringing it You too can enter Green Hell. Here’s how...

Amazingly, Germany’s Nürburgring is a public road that anyone can drive on, and has been for almost 80 years.

More accurately, the Nordscheife (Northern Loop) is open during so-called Touristenfahrten (tourist trips) as a oneway toll road.

Usually, the track is open to the public most Sundays, plus some Saturdays and weekday evenings during the summer.

However, do check the website before making a trip, because it may be closed.

It costs 21 euros to do a lap of the ’Ring, or you can buy multiple laps for a reduced price.

If you’re really keen, an annual pass is 995 euros and lets you go round as many times as you like through the year.

On public days, the Nordscheife is, legally, a public road, so that means German laws

appeal.Your car must be roadworthy and be suitably insured, and you must drive within the law – no overtaking on the right, for instance. The police may be watching from helicopters!

Although much of the road doesn’t have a speed limit, some areas do, for safety and noise abatement, and you should observe these or risk a hefty fine.

Because it’s a public road, all sorts of vehicles drive along it – cars, motorbikes, camper vans, even buses. So keep your eyes peeled. Much variation in pace.

The Nordscheife is 12.9-miles long, but you can’t quite do a full lap because of the 200-metre tollgate area. It’s a hard 13 miles, so do take a break before going back out eh?

As a public road, your normal car insurance should, in theory, cover you. However, some companies have a clause that only gives you third party cover on the ’Ring, so do check beforehand.

As with trackdays, timing your laps – although tempting – is discouraged and, if you crash, your

insurance may be void.

If you have an accident (or witness one) call the emergency number – +49 2691 303315, and warn other drivers of the hazard – but stay behind the Armco.

You may be fined if you crash, to cover the time of track closure, recovery and Armco damage.

And if you go off the track, there’s very little run-off, so the chances are you will hit the Armco – possibly on both sides. Ouch.

The ’Ring is a complex and dangerous circuit that demands respect. Don’t try to push your car – or your driving skills – to the limits. It can take up to a 100 laps to really learn the circuit, and many many more to get it right.

Various companies offer ’Ring ‘taxi’ rides in anything from a BMW M5 to an AC Cobra. These are a fun way to get a feel for the circuit before you try it yourself.

Even in a car, wear a crash helmet; the key to any ’Ring trip is to stay safe and have fun! Treat the place with respect.

Plan your trip with the help of www.nuerburgring.de

Think you’ve seen folk lap the ’Ring fast? Think you’ve seen close racing? Think again... until you’ve witnessed the brilliantly savage VLN race series firsthand.

It’s seriously Hardcore... you know the score...

I

like racing in the UK – it’s a pretty sound way to pass a weekend. But, compared to racing at the world’s greatest circuit, the 15.851 miles of the Nürburgring Nordschleife and GP Circuit, in the outstanding VLN race series, any UK race series is second-rate. Sorry.

Imagine, if you will, 150-200 top-level race cars (and 400+ race aces) flying around the most challenging, best circuit configuration on the planet, bumper-to-bumper – separated in three classes, three minutes apart, with the leading classes (SP7 and SP8) offering up some of the best possible modern-day race weapons you can imagine: Manthey Racing RSRs, Land Motorsport GT3, Hankook/H&R 1000bhp 997 Turbo, fleets of 911 Cup cars, Audi R8s, Opel Astra V8 Coupes, BMW Z4 Ms, Chevy Corvettes, Lambos... drool fest.

And there are scores of wellmatched, constantly bickering BMWs, Seat Leons, Honda Civics and S2000s, Clios, Mercs, Alfas, Golfs and 911s providing the easy pickings for the flying front-runners – making for lots of exciting overtaking to enjoy.

Then factor in the electric atmosphere in the forests packed with 1000s of bratwurst-cooking, beer-swilling, airhorn-blaring locals, the ever-changing track conditions, the crashes, the tears and the tantrums and you start to realise why folk from all over Europe flock to race in, or watch the exciting VLN series.

The best race in the world – the NBR 24Hr – attracts many of the same teams as the VLN series does, so the 12-race annual series is a great way of seeing who is going to go well in the epic 24Hr in May. And there’s many of the familiar

famous faces racing VLN all year, too, like Sabine Schmitz, Marc Bassenberg, Marcel Tiemann, Marc Lieb, Jurgen Wohlfarth etc; particularly for the special, popular six-hour (most 2-4hr) race. It’s like a mini 24Hr every few Saturdays, year-in and yearout... a competitive shakedown for the annual nutterfest enduro if you will: Pure class and quality racing; like it should be – dangerous, fast, loud and packed with action, with the beautiful backdrop of the world’s most challenging race circuit.

The final race of 2008 was a belter – in truly atrocious, lethal conditions. There were a record number of crashes and retirements. Let’s just say it was a bit tricky. The lead changed many times, as they shunted each other off into the barriers, and the pace was relentless.

VLN: Hardcore must-see racing.

SNAPPER NEIL DENHAM PEN PHIL ROYLE

THE SPEED THERE’S A REASON WHY THE 911 IS SO POPULAR, THEY DON’T MISS A BEAT

THE INFO PIT LANE IS FULL OF DATA SCREENS FEEDING LATEST LAPTIMES BACK TO TEAMS

THE PLACE THE ’RING IS LIKE NO OTHER RACE TRACK ONTHE PLANET

THE FACES SABINE SCHMITZ IS HAPPY, HAVING PUT HER CUP 997 911 INTO 2ND PLACE. RACE ACE

THE HEREOS OLAF MANTHEY WAS A REGULAR WINNER RACING HERE. NOW HE MANAGES WINS

THE GRUNT 700BHP, RWD AND NO DRIVER AIDS, IN THE SOAKING WET = BRAVE

THE WINNERS MANTHEY RSR HAS WON 24HR TWICE AND IS JUST SURREALLY FAST. AIR HERE AT PFLANZGARTEN

THE VICTORS ARE PROPER DRIVING GODS. WINNING A VLN TAKES GUTS, SKILLS, BALLS & LUCK

LORDS OF THE ‘RING FEW HAVE TRULY MASTERED THE ’RING. PHIL RABY LISTS SOME OF THE GREATS

Stefan Bellof This German Formula One and Sportscar driver became a ’Ring legend when he set a lap time of 6:11.13 in a Porsche 956 during the World Sports Car Championship in 1983. It was the fastest lap ever of the old 20km circuit.

Sadly, he then managed to roll the car and was out of the race.

Bellof was killed two years later at Spa, again while driving a Porsche 956.

Tazio Nuvolari Ferdinand Porsche called this Italian ‘the greatest driver of the past, present and future.

And his ’Ring performance illustrates this.

At the 1935 German Grand Prix, Nuvolari drove a dated Alfa Romeo P3 to victory, beating the local Mercedes Benz W25 and Auto Union Tipos, which had about 100bhp more power. Hitler’s crowd was not impressed!

Phil Hill In 1961, during practice for the German Grand Prix, American Phil Hill lapped the Nordschleife in 8:55.2 – the first time the nine-minute barrier had been broken.

A time that’s still hard to beat today. He was driving a Ferrari 156 ‘Sharknose’ (that’s it above).

Brief history of the ’Ring 1925: Work began on a new racetrack designed to emulate the Targa Florio and be a showcase for German engineering.

1927: Nürburgring opens and is used for the World Cycling Championship (!) and the German Grand Prix. The public could pay to drive the circuit in the evenings and at weekends.

1939: The full circuit was used for the last time, with future Grands Prix being held on the Nordschleife (northern loop), with minor and motorcycle races using the short Südschleife (southern loop).

1947: Racing recommences after WWII. 1953: The first 1000km Nürburgring race.

Niki Lauda The Austrian was the only person to lap the 14.189-mile Nordschleife in under seven minutes when, in 1975, he did it in an amazing 6:58.6 in his Ferrari F1 car.

However, he then claimed the circuit was dangerous and urged other drivers to boycott it the following year. They didn’t and, ironically, it was Lauda who crashed, ending up badly burned. It was to be the last Formula One race at the old Nürburgring.

Sabine Schmidt The queen of the ’Ring, Sabine is well known for her ‘taxi rides’ in a BMW M5. She was also the first woman to win the 24-hours Nürburgring, in 1996 and again in 1997.

Sabine claims to have driven the ’Ring around 20,000 times, and now does about 1200 laps of it each year. Phew!

1967: The Hohenrain chicane added to slow cars at the pit lane entry.

1971: Nordschleife rebuilt with less bumps and with Armco.

1977: The last F1 race on the old ’Ring.

1984: New Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit opens with a host of safety features.

2002: Grand Prix circuit altered with a new sharp right-hander (Haug Hook) in place of the Castrol Chicane.

‘RING videos Don’t forget to checkout our ROAD youtube channel

DALE LOMAS WET WEATHER DRIFTING RSR’s Dale Lomas has fun in the rain, as he drifts his trusty Alfa 75 around a very wet and slippy ’Ring

NISSAN GTR 7.29 lap The awesome GTR smashes its rivals with a scorching ’Ring lap time of 7min 29sec

Dirk Schoysman Check out Dirk’s ultra-smooth driving style from inside his car, as the light fades at the 24-hour

1970s crashes The Seventies may have been great, but the cars just couldn’t go around corners without falling over!

MANTHEY 911 Impressive footage of Manthey’s monstrous race winning 911 at last year 24-hour race

24-HOUR FLY BYS Not much to see in this night shoot, but just listen to the cars on full chat at the 2006 24-hour!

ASTON MARTIN AT THE 24-HOUR Not much driving action, but some great footage from the Aston Martin pits

7-SECOND ’RING KING Remember kids, take your first lap ultra steady, or you could end up with egg on your face...

ROAD & OPENTRACK OULTON PARK track day WednesdAY 25th february £139 > open pit lane with free tuition/photography/garages with www.opentrack.co.UK

February 25th is the start of the 2009 trackday season for us here at www.roadmagazine. co.uk & www.Opentrack.co.uk And we are starting as we mean to go on by using one of the best drivers’ circuits in the UK: Oulton Park International.

Widely acknowledged as the most picturesque race circuit in the country, Oulton Park is recognised as much for its stunning surroundings as the spectacular racing that has taken place on its hallowed Tarmac.

Voted the best UK circuit by

British Superbike fans in 2007, Oulton Park features rapidly changing gradients and blind crests, and presents a supreme challenge. Spectators can enjoy fantastic views of the action, with the outside of Knickerbrook, in particular, providing a stunning vista, and facilities are A1, as at all MSV circuits.

At just under 2.7 miles the International Circuit includes the‘Shell Oils Corner’ – the only banked corner on a UK circuit.

A must for any trackday enthusiast, especially at this price!

The cost for the day is just £139 for a car and driver – making it one of the best value open pit lane days on offer all year at this premier track.

Extra drivers sharing your car and track time cost just £40, while passengers in your vehicle are only £10. Bargain!

On top of this... garaging is free and on a ‘first come first served basis,’ as is tuition, from Mike Wilds and refreshments and pro snaps.

Call Opentrack Dave on 0845 234 0790 or go online to book.

ONLINE FEBRUARY 27TH

NEXT MONTH ROAD RELAUNCHES

FREE FOREVER TELL YOUR FRIENDS www.roadmagazine.co.uk