Back from the Ring

[peppernick]

What a weekend!!! The Nordschleife is so much fun. The M3 ran perfectly, the coilovers are fantastic, steering is pin sharp and engine pulls hard. The track is really something you have to experience, if you think GT4 is close, you're far out!

The bumps, drops, elavation, cornering Gs are all there to tickle your senses. I never knew what my M3 could do until Saturday, especially when the hard layer of rubber was taken off my Goodyear F1s after the first few corners. The ECU re-mapped itself and the engine pulls so much better!

It's all about knowing the track and having the balls to go at it ( Sabine, although not quite literally but you have BALLS :eek: ). First couple of laps was a gentle introduction and the last 3 I gave it my best, but still plenty to learn. Big thanks to AndyE for taking me out in a spin in your derv burner, you have some serious skills and local knowledge! [bow

Unfortunately, the heaven opened up this afternoon and had to shy away from more laps in the wet given the way the Ring is. But I'll certainly go back, before summer ends :D Paul and Shak, you have been great company [cool

I have some pics, but I was more engrossed in the driving. Shak has plenty good ones. Will sort the pics out but here's a couple to tickle your taste buds.......THAT NOISE!!!! :eek: :eek: .......the way Sabine caned it!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: [bow [bow [bow [bow

[M5 SC]

Looks like an amazing weekend mate.
Im sooooo f**king jealous its untrue!!!

Glad you and the car are all back in one piece :D

Cant wait to see what other pic's you have...

[peppernick]

Watch this video from www.carfreaks.net , I was doing this! In my car! Me behind the wheel!.....Slower though :p .....but a bit :D You've got to love this place [cool

R click and save (http://www.carfreaks.net/video/cf-m_coupe-nurburgring-xvid.avi)

[Ali_]

Top stuff mate to hear your back and of course in one piece, i can only dream of what fun you would of had..... awesome bro just awesome :D

[BigFas]

Good to hear you and BBK are back in one piece :) I want to hear all about it, let's hook up this week! And my passenger seat is booked for the next trip!! (in your car of course :p)

[adood84]

I have to drive there before I die :D , maybe I'll die there

[mystic sport]

Glad to see you had a fun (and safe) time their Nick.


I think this qualifies as quote of the day, I am still laughing :D

I have to drive there before I die :D , maybe I'll die there

[Big m.o.]

Good one. Me is booked in September for the Ring. Going in the P1 tho but did think of making in the Vert this year and cruise the ring top down (yes it is legal to do so). My third trip and I still can't get enough of it. GT4 and Project Gotham II do help in a way. It's not a trackday.........it's a pilgrimage.

[lee330sport]

Glad you and the car are still in one peice. I have to this this sometime this year though.

Did you take the ice out or did you cruise to Madonna?

[peppernick]

Nurburgring is 298 miles from Calais. A leisurely drive at 100-110MPH will take you approximately 4 hours with stops in between. Sat nav direction is literally door to door although mine took us to Nurburg village [hmm ......I need to punch in Nordschleife.......

Thanks to David Wallace for arranging cheap Eurotunnel tickets again. £30 return [cool . Having experienced the ferry 2 weeks ago, Eurotunnel is by far the best way to get across to France. It's quick and you can boot it down the train to hear that exhaust :D :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust007.jpg


The Ring car park is definitely THE place to hang around if you like your metals. Beats car shows in the UK for sure, and you can hear them fire up [cool

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust033.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust021.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust024.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust032.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust081.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust030.jpg


Zakspeed Viper, 700BHP and 260Euro as a passenger for 1 lap :eek: :eek: .....people went out though! Mostly wealthy Americans who love their home made Belloni ;)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust082.jpg

and this too.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust086.jpg


Worth showing this georgeous Clubsport. One of the best I've seen, also almost identical to my old car ;) ....only in non-metallic black. Much better than than Sapphire Black.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust087.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust078.jpg


If you had enough of the car park, you can always wander down to the local filling station.........more exotics :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust016.jpg

Prototype RS4 Avant.....sounds so SICK!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust017.jpg


Saturday was dry and we got the most track time...........to be continued ;)

[peppernick]

Glad you and the car are still in one peice. I have to this this sometime this year though.

Did you take the ice out or did you cruise to Madonna?
I'm definitely doing it again before summer ends. Aiming at September although weekend to be confirmed. You have to come along! [jam

I unplugged the fuse from my amps, with the revs you pull, voltage spike can hit 15.7 volts shown on my X1R. I blew the inverter of my right halo :mad:

[lee330sport]

That clubsport looks sooo nice with the CH on.

[Vert]

Hey Nick, you got home safely! Great to meet up again, and what a weekend!!

First five minutes, I was blown away! I'm hooked!! :eek: :eek: 2nd weekend of September is looking likely to be our next venture!

The lap in the 330 derv burner... wow! He knew what he was doing! Shame he doesn't have his E39 M5 any more :( That would have been fun!

As Nick said, plenty of pictures and some small footage to come! :D

[BigFas]

WOW!!! I can't believe how many memories that's brought back! I was only there 2 weeks ago. I can do a mid-September weekend :( The only reason I couldn't go this time was it was my wedding anniversary :P

[Tin]

nice one nick! how were the brakes? did ya cook em? car park looks top notch too! [jam

that tunnel pic looks wicked.. wanna make a sound recording of my car going down there.. lol..

i won't be able to make september or probably any day this year, but defo next april/may.

[paulm3]

what an amazing weekend :):)
starting at 1.30am :(.. met nick @ the tunnel (we both just made it by 2 mins)
lovely cruise down to the nurburgring on the motorways. after filling up a few times we were there. all ready. (bit scared) lol.
1st lap was awsome, u dont realise how much it goes up and down and the blind corners (or watevers over the brow of the hill) are sooo scary until u sort off know wats coming.
saturday was great. cheers to ben / and others for sorting out the meal at pistenklause. it was lovely:):)
sunday. another great day. followed by rain late in the afternoon :( so we left about 5pm. DTM race was finished so it took us about 2 hours to do a 30 min drive :(:(

thank you nick for a great weekend, and your company there, and the lovely drives @ 000mph we had :):) and sorting us out with the last minute hotel room ;) after 23 hours awake i needed a nice bed :)

cant wait till next time... will get sum of my pics up by tonight :):)

[mysticm3]

looks like a fun trip, I am not feeling jealous at all :p

can't wait for my passport now...

[Nickleback]

Looks like a great time was had by all, cant wait to see all the pics & I've just gotta make the next trip !!:D

[bow
Nick, that Clubsport in Black looks absolutely stonkin, have you got any more pics, spec etc please !!!!
They looked like M3 front wings ?? Quad pipes Just what I've been lookin for ?
:D :D :D :cool: :cool: :cool:

Was that the genuine car with the plate M3 CSL, if it was, its worth a hell of a lot of dosh !!

[peppernick]

The Norsdschleife, unlike other race tracks is classifed as an unlimited road course. Hence, only cars that are road legal can get on it during public open days. Although this is not entirely true given the state of those Vipers ;) ........either way, it's a playground for petroheads [ok

There are a few vantage points for photography where cars can be photographed at their very limit of road handling. However, we only managed to stay at one spot as the others can only be accessed by foot.

Here are some shots :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust037.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust042.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust062.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust039.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust043.jpg


Some close up images (best I could do, I need a more powerful zoom lens!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust045.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust052.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust053.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust055.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust050.jpg


The 90MPH sweeper http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust071.jpg[/IMG]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust074.jpg

[B]Ben and Andy giving the 330D full whack!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust067.jpg

Paul slowing down for the camera :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust073.jpg


You can tour the Nordschleife if you're too scared to drive :rolleyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust065.jpg


The fastest taxi ride you can have in the world! Just make sure you get on the one driven by Sabine! 160Euro but 12 month queue :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust009.jpg

[peppernick]

Looks like a great time was had by all, cant wait to see all the pics & I've just gotta make the next trip !!:D

[bow
Nick, that Clubsport in Black looks absolutely stonkin, have you got any more pics, spec etc please !!!!
They looked like M3 front wings ?? Quad pipes Just what I've been lookin for ?
:D :D :D :cool: :cool: :cool:

Was that the genuine car with the plate M3 CSL, if it was, its worth a hell of a lot of dosh !!
Keep an eye out on the fourm community section for our next Ring trip ;)

I don't have any more pic of that Clubsport but it has Brembo BBK up front with black calipers, Eisenmann quad exhaust and OEM M3 wing vents fitted to the stock Clubsport wings (not like those glue on type you see in the UK but this one has it's wings cut out so the fit is just like the M3)

The CSL is a Norwegian car and that is his actual plate....M3 CSL [cool

[audiophilia]

Holy sht, we live on the wrong continent!!!

Great thread and pics, peppernick!

One of my dreams is for my son and me to do a Euro delivery and drive the ring...

[ANT MAN]

Love the pic of the 10R :cool: Seems like you had a great time. [jam

What times did you do?

[peppernick]

There are always those who pushed their cars a bit too far and that is when the Ring can bite back with ferocity. Paul had a very close shave, his car spun 360 degrees in a split second after one of his rear tyres climbed the kerb a tad to far. Lucky there weren't any traffic at that time but he had to change his underpants shortly after pulling back into the clubhouse :p :D

Ghostrider's Subaru wasn't as lucky. People hire or bring their own tow trucks as the Ring charges hundred if not thousands to get your broken car to where it should go. Also, if you damage any of the armco, you have to pay for the damage. The record payout was something like 15,000Euro as 200M of the armco was damaged :eek: Remember, treat the Ring with respect or you pay for your mistakes......no other way out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust085.jpg


Here are a couple pics of me taken by Andy [cool

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/nick1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/nick2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/nick3.jpg


Many thanks to AndyE and BenLuker from bmwcarforum for organizing dinner at the Pistenklause restaurant. Superb food and Weissbier. The Pistenklause is the routine haunt for Ringers and it's like a mini Hard Rock Cafe for car nutz.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust022.jpg

The best steak and frites I've had. Argentinian fillet on hot stone. You cook your beef to the way you want it so you can't possibly complain. Clever!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust027.jpg


Overall a fantastic weekend :cool: Getting out of Nurburgring was a pain because of the DTM race. Took us 2 hours to cover 30KM or so. But nevertheless, great stuff!

All in all, I've covered 1000 miles on this trip. We stayed like 20 miles away but with the accessibility of the German AutoBahn, it's not a problem.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust091.jpg

Just make sure you bring along a canister of bug cleaner :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust089.jpg


My M3 never missed a beat and I have to say it's still the affordable everyday sportscar that does everything for you. Pretty rapid too :D We came home is one piece and already we're looking forward to doing it again very soon.............................in September [banana [banana [banana

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust018.jpg


Memories of my maiden driving Ring adventure :cool:.....................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust.jpg

............and this sticker has a different meaning to it from now on [jam

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust092.jpg

[toffer325ti]

Grrr!! Dont get much chance to post on the forum recently. (Thats what becoming a family can do)

But bloody hell guys, What a weekend [jam

Hope you let the steak cook a bit longer though :rolleyes:

[peppernick]

My favourite shot :D :D

[BigFas]

Wow!!! [bow[bow[bow[bow[bow[bow

[M5 SC]

Your car looks so at home on that track!!! she looks gorgeous.

Downsize the pic and add it to your sig'! would look well cool!

[peppernick]

TBH, the Ring is home for BBS. 3/4 of the cars there wore BBS rims. There was a silver SL55 AMG, slammed on 20" LMs.............SOOOOOO SICK but he drove off just when I getting my camera out :mad: :mad:

[M5 SC]

Yuo gotta put that pic on your sig', your car just looks soooo good in that picture!!!

[scorcher]

Looks like a great time was had by all - I'm not jealous.... :(

[Afif]

looked like some serious fun! Also only 1000 miles :eek:? I did that on a round trip to scotland.... for some reason a ring trip sounded way further [hmm.

Great write ups as always nick [ok.

[Stock323iSaloon]

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!

Seems as if you guys had plenty of fun. Did any of you see the super-fast driver Sabine in person? Hope she joins Top Gear next season ;)

[BeemerBoy888]

Nick - one word - FANTASTIC :D :D :D [cool

[peppernick]

Did any of you see the super-fast driver Sabine in person?
Hehe...Shak(Vert) and Paul have good pics with her, waiting for them to post them up ;)

[paulm3]

Hehe...Shak(Vert) and Paul have good pics with her, waiting for them to post them up ;)

mmmmmm.. she touched me.. lol. :):)

[paulm3]

some pics of my phone :)
http://images10.fotki.com/v208/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00182-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00185-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v173/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00203-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00206-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v169/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00214-vi.jpg
///M6!!!
http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/2/249152/2515007/DSC00168-vi.jpg

allof em are at here :) (http://public.fotki.com/paul330/nurburgring/)

[Ali_]

Nick thats a great pic of your car, ill put it out there and say the best pic ive seen of your ride [cool

[MistaSmiff]

mmmmmm.. she touched me.. lol. :):)LOL.. [crackmeup

[peppernick]

A pic of Paul from www.Ring-world.nl

http://www.ring-world.nl/Foto's/2005/Ring%2005-08-07/images/DSCF0136.JPG

[paulm3]

nice 1 nick, just found u on there ;)
http://www.ring-world.nl/Foto's/2005/Ring%2005-08-07/images/DSCF0056.JPG

[adood84]

is the M6 on sale already? how does it sound/look?

[Richie in Dublin]

They are seriously good pictures lads....what a car park!!! Never seen so many tasty cars in one place....hopefully the Frankfurt Motorshow will sort that out for me!!! :D

[peppernick]

is the M6 on sale already? how does it sound/look?
Sounds good but looks horrid....IMO. The wheels are terrible.

[lee330sport]

Sounds good but looks horrid....IMO. The wheels are terrible.
I love the M6 especially in this colour, Hellrot. Does need differnt rims though, they look too soft.

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=7907

[Nickleback]

Pictures from "The Ring" - same day

Do think this guy got the apex !! :p or was he trying to get out of the way when someone was overtaking on his left.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/Clubsport/DSCF0074.jpg

[paulm3]

thats andy, he took nick and shak around ;):) he's good... thats his 330d estate bad boy which he throws round there... and wears the michelin logo's off the side of the tyres!! lol

[Richie in Dublin]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/peppernick/NurburgringAugust035.jpg

Thats Dave from the Irish Bmw Car Club!!! Small world! Those newly added BBS are sick!

[Raja_SMGII]

Amazing trip guys - very jealous, even more now that I've seen that GT3RS....

[estoril 328]

Makes my blast around North wales look a bit tame in comparison. Looks like a top weekend boys- great stuff.

[peppernick]

Pictures from "The Ring" - same day

Do think this guy got the apex !! :p or was he trying to get out of the way when someone was overtaking on his left.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/Clubsport/DSCF0074.jpg
That's the chicane at Wippermann. If you stay on the tarmac, it's a chicane to slow you down. If you have enough ground clearance, you can just about draw a straight line through the chicane using lots of the kerb :cool:

I haven't the balls to do it. You can either split your oil sump or launch your car and crash. But if you make it through, like what Andy has done.......damn!!!! the adrenalin rush [jam

[rossi46]

That M3 CSL, it's got different wheels at the front?
is it the RS-GT?

[Nickleback]

That's the chicane at Wippermann. If you stay on the tarmac, it's a chicane to slow you down. If you have enough ground clearance, you can just about draw a straight line through the chicane using lots of the kerb :cool:

I haven't the balls to do it. You can either split your oil sump or launch your car and crash. But if you make it through, like what Andy has done.......damn!!!! the adrenalin rush [jam

Wow, I take my hat off to him!, He must know the ring really well to be able to do that especially in a touring [bow

[peppernick]

That M3 CSL, it's got different wheels at the front?
is it the RS-GT?
Yep RS-GT. His rears were worn so he used another set of tyres on different rims.

[Vert]

Sorry to keep everyone waiting with my pictures! Just been out enjoying the summer too much to be on the PC!

Here's a few exceptions:

Who's this strange fella?
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/nick_petrol.jpg

Nick taking on a caravan:
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/nickvcaravan.jpg

Some sizzling meat:
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/food.jpg
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/food2.jpg

And the shapes of butter at the hotel!
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/butter.jpg


And the best ones:
Enjoy!! (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/ring.html)

[MistaSmiff]

The link does'nt work :(, try this one HERE (http://www.5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/ring.html)

[peppernick]

Nice pics Shak. Where's the video? :D

[toffer325ti]

Nice Pics [jam

This one of Paul is good!


'AVE IT \/
http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/castle2/116.jpg

Whats the writing on the track about? It's everywhere in that stretch!

[Vert]

Vids will be online from tomorrow!

There's all sorts of writing around the track. People can sneak on in the twilight hours and tag it.

[paulm3]

sum nice pis there :):) cant wait till the 17th sep...

[Rob84]

Some truelly amazing pictures lads!! [cool [cool

Me and a few mates are planning a trip there either this autumn or next spring. Hopefully going to sail from Hull to Rotterdam, then have a thrash though Holland then into Germany.

There will be me in my 325Ci, a mate in his Renault Clio 182 Sport with cup suspension, a lad in a mk3 Astra GSi on 'bodies and a Supercharged mk3 Golf VR6. should pose for an interesting drive on the autobahns on the way down :D

[MistaSmiff]

Hang on a minute!!, has Paul lowered his ride or is that a photshop special, check out his sig :eek: , that drop looks sick!

[Vert]

It's been lowered on Tein shocks and Koni springs but his sig is 'shopped to make it lower!

[peppernick]

It's been lowered on Tein shocks and Koni springs but his sig is 'shopped to make it lower!
Koni shocks and TEIN springs ;) :D

[Raj]

Great pics and a great read. Looks absolutely awesome guys. Just got back from hols so only managed to get back on the forum.

[Vert]

Oh look, Nick, Raj has those awesome BBSs I hardly ever see!! :D

[MistaSmiff]

They are quite common simply because they are a nice wheel, I think FAS has the right idea, just keep changing your rims every year ..lol

[paulm3]

Hang on a minute!!, has Paul lowered his ride or is that a photshop special, check out his sig :eek: , that drop looks sick!

it is lowered.. but a bit extra with photoshop for my sig.ha ha:):)

[Imola]

The ECU re-mapped itself and the engine pulls so much better! how is this done peppernick :confused: looks like a good trip a bit costly if you get a bit carried away :eek:

[peppernick]

ECUs of modern cars especially performance cars are dynamic. They learn the way the driver drives the car and adapt fuelling to suit. Hence, if you potter around town a lot, the ECU will find a way to optimize fuel economy. If you drive the car hard, the ECU will optimize fuelling to give the best performance.

It can get expensive if you're hardcore ie: 20 hard laps and you can wear out your tyres completely. Fuel consumption on my M3 went down to 7 MPG on the track. However, if you do it sensibly, cost is OK.

[BigFas]

They are quite common simply because they are a nice wheel, I think FAS has the right idea, just keep changing your rims every year ..lol

You're joking aren't you. 've not had a set of rims last a year YET! Seventh set of rims, car is less than 3 years old :cool:

[MistaSmiff]

You're joking aren't you. 've not had a set of rims last a year YET! Seventh set of rims, car is less than 3 years old :cool:That's exactly what i'm talking about.. :p

[mike 318is]

looked like a top trip

got to go myself one day and also book a lap in the ring taxi

how did you find your tyres afterwards

[Vert]

Here are the videos!

Right click > Save Target As... In car 1 (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/1.AVI)

In car 2 (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/2.AVI)

M5!! (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/3.AVI)

String of German cars (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/4.AVI)

E30 (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/5.AVI)

Various cars (http://5h4k.bitchinbmw.co.uk/ring/6.AVI)

[mike 318is]

is the M6 on sale already? how does it sound/look?


my old man and brother saw one in italy a few weeks back [cool