Accel Junky

The hug photo is priceless! Looks like the trip was highly enjoyable!

brake dust

Great trip - thanks for sharing. With it being late in the year - did you have the option of having the GT4 equipped with all weather tires for the trip while there? I'm under the impression that can be done and the switched back to the cups at the end of the trip? Of course, if you plan on tracking the GT4 while there - your probably don't want to do that, unless you're like TrackCar and bring a support vehicle full of new tires!

Tom Tweed

In stock form, the GT4 runs in SS08 class by current Zone 8 rules. If modified, it runs in CC12 or above (depending on how far the mods take it). The 991 GT3 is classed in SS09 or CC14, so we won't run head-to-head unless you want to voluntarily go up in class. Of course if the GT4 turns out to punch above its weight and becomes an overdog in SS08, the rules could change in the future.

I'm all ears, but I'm not sure I could give up the GT3 now even if they put the PDK-S in a GT4, and I can't afford both. Do tell what you've heard, though....

I'm really enjoying your story. Along with TRAKCAR and DrJupeman's accounts of their ED adventures, I feel like I've spent this fall in Europe while sitting on the couch reading Rennlist! I hope you will take your postings here and turn them into a feature story for the PCA-SDR newsletter when you're done--I'm sure there are a lot of folks in the club who aren't on the forums and would enjoy hearing about your trip and your new car. I can help make it happen, just let me know if you're up for it.

C'ya,
TT

Bullitt44

Thank you for sharing!!!! Awesome tread!

I hoped to attempt euro delivery too, but when my car was delivered it was not available. Now I really hope to do this in the future.

Love2Apex

Man awesome experience you had and great post! Only wish we would've been able to do ED on the GT4, although I believe PTS pushed us back quite a bit and far past the date for ED (in the middle of winter there).

Nur93

What a beauty
Can't wait to read the Nurburgring chapter.....
Please start soon..

switchface

Thanks, it's one of my favorite photos...pure emotion.

I did have the option of the winter tires. I kept asking around for advice and most everyone said that I would be fine, just need to be careful in the event of something out of the norm. I went back and forth with my ED liaison a few times, changing my mind each day. He was very patient and also suggested I'd be fine.

What ultimately made the decision for me to keep the Cup2s was that if I was on the winter tires, I'd be safe in the alps, but guaranteed to have a bad time on track (and likely ruin the tires in the process). If I was on Cup2s, I just needed to be careful in the bad weather (which I planned to do anyway) but I would be better sorted for the track. Looking back, if I was on the winter tires would I really have gone into the snow covered pass? I don't think so.

I just got really unlucky to have not just the rain, but the 15-20 degree temp drop. I kept checking my iPhone weather for all of the locations and it was comical to see nice weather, turn to cold while I'm there, and back to nice as I left.

I see no fun competing in the SS class. For that matter, I see no reason for even keeping it; it should really only be used for the first few events while someone has their car, then everyone should move to CC. I don't understand the people that want to stay and compete in SS for a year+ and then try to maximize their tires on top of it. Doesn't make any sense to me.

I don't mind if you'd like to take my posts and link them together for a PCA article. Shoot me an email if you need anything specific from me.

I'll get to my rumor when I get to the Spa section of my journey, so stay tuned.

Its a good color, wouldn't you agree? Shame I couldn't meet up with you at the 'Ring...I'll try to tackle that part of the trip tonight.

switchface

We get to the walled city pretty late, our Porsche supplied Garmin struggled to find our room for the night, so we switched over to the iPhone. Its a weird scene as the GT4 hums along over the cobblestone streets at a slow crawl. Still no issue with the lip scraping, although that doesn't stop me from clenching the entire way through this small town.

I think we're there, but its 10pm and the town is dead, so I park and walk into an open door to ask for help. To my surprise, its a pub/inn and its packed! As soon as I open my mouth, an older guy yells to me to hold on. Shortly after a younger guy comes out with my name in a laminated packet! Yay, I've arrived.

Here is the non-descript street and the door to our place:






Which makes our 'modernized castle' for around $100 all the more special:









Neat town with old charm:









So we hop back in the LWBs (pictured below ) and are off to the mighty Nurburgring!

switchface

As if driving in your dream car in Germany isn't special enough, things are racheted up a notch on the way to the Nurburgring. Growing up hot lapping the Nordschliefe on Gran Turismo during high school and college, the whole area has a mythical status for me, almost as if it isn't real...until I start seeing the signs.




With the car fully broken in, the foot begins to get a bit heavier with anticipation:








I know this thread is turning picture heavy, but each photo tells the story as the miles (err...kms) pass, the scenary continues to change as we get closer and closer to the mecca.













Getting racey:







We meet Eddy and arrive at our hotel for the next night. Location, location, location!




The VLN race (9) was going on in the background, so the hills echoed with the sounds of engines. That's a flat-6. Theres a Mercedes v8. Thats a...I dunno, but its loud. Our balcony (2nd floor on the right) looks out over the Nordschliefe!




To give this (zoomed in) view:







Sounds like the perfect time for that Behike! We enjoy a beer and cigar on our balcony until the race concludes, then make our way over to the infamous Pistenklause restaurant.

The air is thick inside with the wofting of raw steak sizzling on hot stone. If I wasn't hungry, I sure am now. The walls are littered with signatures, photos, memorabilia, and car remnants.







Was too busy eating and drinking to take a photo, so this was all that was left:




As I left the restaurant thoroughly stuffed and satisfied, I spotted a 991 GT3 parked close to my GT4. The plate caught my eye, so I snapped a pic:




As I get in my car and she barks to life, the owner of the GT3 gets out (I didn't realize he was in the car) and walks over to introduce himself. Really nice guy from the UK, he invites me to meet up at Devil's Diner tomorrow for the open Touristenfahrten. A quick fast forward to tomorrow morning, I was telling a few people about a nice guy I met last night with interesting plates. The group knew of the guy/car and said that having plates like that is a BIG no no in Germany and he really shouldn't mess around. Just as he finishes that sentence, I see the police escorting the guy off the track with his plates removed. Yikes! I'm not sure if he's a Rennlister, but I hope he's okay.

matttheboatman

The debate is over. LWB are the best looking seats, no question about it!!!

switchface

The day has arrived and the parking lot of our hotel is littered with race cars and enthusiast drives. I wake up bright and early to get to Devil's Diner in time for the track open. Its one of the last tourist days of the year, so I'm expecting it to be packed. Being up so early, the streets are desolate, perfect time for a few quick pics.







Getting to the entrance is a different story; there is heavy machinery at every turn. GT3s are a dime a dozen. There was a black GT4 w/clubsport package and RSR's GT4 was there. Everything else was a car lover's toy store: Godzilla, Vipers, M3s, Aston Martins, a plethora of spec racers, Ferraris...you name it.










I have the utmost respect for Green Hell, so I meet up with my instructor for the day, Dale from Bridge to Gantry. I instruct auto-x, but thats just cones in a parking lot; it must be terrifying to sit shotgun on the Nordschliefe with a complete stranger. For anyone taking a crack at the Ring, an instructor is worth their weight in gold as nearly every turn is blind, off-camber and late-apexing. If you are ever planning to go, I highly recommend Dale.

We go out first in his SEAT Leon Cupra R (which is shod with Cup2s) for a sighting lap. Just in case I wasn't excited enough, this is staging next to us as we journey out:



To my surprise, the track is still in its VLN configuration from yesterday's race! Dale is giving a lot of specific info. I'm a good student, but my head is spinning, not necessariy because its information-overload, but because I'm on the freakin Nurburgring!! I knew I would get good instruction, and I did, but the level of detail was priceless (i.e. "stay to the left over this crest because there is a bump you can't see that will unsettle the car" or "you want to avoid the right here as the trees cast a shadow so that side will still be slippery").

As we take the 'slow' lap, we get passed by a Mercedes C63 Black. Close to the end of the lap, Dale decides to up the pace a bit, and in an instant we are mere inches (err...cms) from his bumper. Too close for comfort, even I'm clenching and neither of these are cars I own. The big rumbling Merc finally motions for us to pass and Dale cracks a smile. I guess every now and then those that live at the Ring need to remind others that sometimes horsepower gets passed by a FWD estate car.

Just as we complete our lap, the track closes due to an accident. "Good" I joke, "this gives me a chance to calm down." Only I'm not joking. My heart is pounding, that was intense!! I'm legit nervous. The closure is about a half an hour and I need all of it to regain my composure. I also stumble upon this Riviera Blue 996 GT3 on the way back to my car when the track re-opens.



Its now my time to head out. I apologize to my instructor ahead of time, saying that I don't plan to push it. I don't have the talent of Nur93, I just want to bring the car home safely. He assures me we will go faster than I think and I'll be fine.

We start on the GP circuit and I catch myself soaking in the sites on the long straight. My eyes are constantly checking my mirrors as I do not want to hold anyone up. To my surprise, I have a lot more pace than I thought I would. Dale seems quite happy with my efforts. We pass a BMW spun off in pretty bad shape. I comment that this will likely close the track again. Dale laughs, claiming we need much worse to close the track. A few corners later, another BMW is off bad and I can see some fluid on the inside line. "Now that, will close the track" he says. Nevertheless, we press on and before you know it, I've completed a lap on the mighty Nurburgring! I'm actually a bit relieved the track is closed as it gives me a few minutes to reflect.

Wow. The elevation changes are something that is not accurately reflected in videos and sims. I remember driving at Infineon/Sears Point/Sonoma thinking the same thing - elevation changes are intense. On the Nordschliefe, each corner is scary because each corner is blind (not to mention many off-camber and late-apexing). There is a sense of nostaligia and beauty to that; until you catch someone or are caught, you are alone with your thoughts surrounded by the trees and the red and white curbing. Or maybe I'm just over-analyzing this amazing experience and Ring regulars are thinking whatever its just a track. Well, to those of us in the states its more. Its a place of legend, you really don't expect to be driving on it one day.

An hour or so goes by and the track re-opens. I let everyone pile out first and follow shortly after. Dale says that I did quite well and is encouraging me to pick up my pace a bit. I'm surprised. He claims I'm in a bullet-proof car and I'm showing good instincts and responses. So off we go.

A 991 Turbo S bares down on me after the long straight. I'm a bit preoccupied with him and go a bit a deep into 1. I regain myself and start linking together some nice lines. Confidence is building.

I catch up to a black 991 GT3 and decide this is a great car to follow. After a corner or so Dale says he's holding me up and I should make a move to pass. I counter that a GT3 is a fast car and I'm probably good behind him. Dale disagrees and again insists that I should pass him. Before I can think, I hear this angry roar behind me. The noise is similar somehow, yet different. Aggressive, angry, very angry, and...oh my thats a Lava Orange GT3RS headlights blaring right on my ***!! Its a moment that takes your breath away a bit. Top of the Porsche food chain devouring my rear view mirror. I motion over, he passes with another 991 GT3 in tow. "Go with them!" yells Dale. What I would pay for a snapshot of my field of vision at this moment: my white and black Alpinestars gloves gripping the platinum stitched alcantara wheel of my dream car, the GT4, while out through my windshield 2 GT3s and a brand new RS dance within a few feet (err...meters) of each other on the mighty Nordschliefe! Seriously, pinch me.

We all pass the black GT3 and the fiesty two disappear into the distance. I'm overwhelmed with emotions and subconciously I start pushing each corner a bit more and more...until I see Dale immediately slam his foot down on the imaginary brake pedal and brace himself. I (think I) nail the apex, he says nothing, and we finish the lap.

Realizing I'm low on fuel, we go for a quick fill when I ask Dale about his reaction. He laughs sheepishly and makes light of it. I press him as I could sense his reaction was that of genuine concern (or terror?). I ask what I did wrong when he says, "nothing actually, you hit that apex and tracked out perfectly, but were carrying a LOT of speed. Had you been another 3-4 inches your wheel would've dipped into the grass, which is wet there due to the trees, and we would've spun into the wall. Game over." My heart sinks. "But don't worry, we'll tidy everything up on your next lap." Knowing my personality, I want to keep pushing for more excitement, and I'm wise enough to know this isn't the place to keep pushing. I tell him I've done what I set out to accomplish, I'm going to buy my sticker, and live to fight another day with my new car in one piece.

I later find out that we we're 'spotted' by Autogespot while refueling!



I wish that van wasn't there...can any photoshop wizards remove it?




I don't know about you guys, but I've been checking this site daily for GT4 pics as I've waited for my allocation, and then my delivery, so to be 'spotted' myself is just cool.

Oh, and the obligatory Nurburgring photo:

Crazy Eddie

Awesome thread!!!!
Great read,.... like a riveting novel

user1029

hellboy_mcqueen

Switchface - it was a nice read. First time in Ring is always emotional. And it was a good call to stop.
But Ring is addictive - you will come again.

Mr. F1 Fan

Excellent, just excellent!
I'm sure that's a bucket list item for many of us. Thanks for the ride along!