It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I just arrived home from my first trip to Nürburg. Last week I set up a training session with Oliver Grams who was willing to do so at short notice. Originally I had made an attempt to take a partner with me to split the cost, but he wasn’t able to attend, therefore I took my trusty camera babe of a wife.
We arrived late Friday night and settled into the Hotel zur Burg. It is a nice little hotel within walking distance to the entrance to Nordschleife. It has a free breakfast and very acceptable living quarters, but nothing compared to the Crown Plaza in Dubai (That’s another story). Anyway, the wife (camera babe) and kids settled in to our quarters and called it a night. Sunday morning started off very dreary. The weather conditions were much less than favorable (high winds, overcast skies and constant drizzle with brief periods of showers), but Oliver and I decided we would make a go of it. After taking a look at the map over breakfast, we discussed a few things and headed off to the track.
Now at the track and the ONLY participant to show of the day, I marched into the ticket office and promptly purchased my year pass for 895 Euro. With it, I received a wristband mounted transponder and a photo ID. I took a quick read of the rules of the road and asked if I could use a camera in the car. I was told they were ‘verboten’. I guess they have been forbidden for a couple years now, but many people are still able to take video with these compact digital cameras these days. More on that later.
Oliver and I spent some time discussing a proper seat position and I will tell you it is much different than the ‘gangsta style’ seat position that has become so popular of today. Finally I felt like I was driving the car from a good position, but I am sure I didn’t look nearly as cool as say…Ice Cube or Snoop Dog in his Escalade. After donning my new helmet, we both headed onto the track. The track was wet, rain was coming down, and I was very very cautious as we drove the first few laps. Oliver was of immense help as without his tutelage, I would likely have been into a wall or a run-off within the first lap. He pointed out critical areas of the track were it was especially dangerous due to changing track surfaces, blind turns and crests, areas where water tended to pool or where tree foliage tended to collect, outward sloping track surfaces, etc… He saved me from some almost sure damage to my car. Where he didn’t save me, MDM did! I never once disengaged DSC completely and I don’t have the desire to try—at least not yet and especially on a wet cold track. So, fourteen laps later and a tank of gas and that was the end of the day. I took roughly a fifteen minute break every couple laps and after the last lap of the day, I was beginning to make a lot of mistakes. It was time to quit as my brain had consumed enough for one day with an amateur at the wheel. It is amazing how much concentration and energy is involved in driving a track like this. I have done several laps on GT4, but nothing compares to actually experiencing it. This track is incredible in the demand it places on your attention. Yes, maybe someday it will become more of an instinct than work, but as I spent the two days learning, I felt like my brain was going to explode. I was exhausted.
We spent the evening dining at the Pistenklaus Restaurant which is where Sabine Schmitz grew up and worked in the family owned business. Within five minutes, my wife motioned me to look over my shoulder as Sabine entered and sat down at a table very close to us. She was apparently discussing business with two other gentlemen as a bunch of papers were scattered on the table as they chatted. I wanted to ask for a photograph, but didn’t want to disturb them, but I did get a smile at one point!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
The skies cleared, the wind died off and we woke up to a beautiful morning. Oliver and I headed off to the track and walked around for about two hours while the maintenance crews cleared the track of debris and car parts from the previous day of fun. (There were two accidents that I witnessed and one was quite bad!) The Sunday crowd began to turn up. There was a blue Ford GT, several Porsche's, another silver grey M6 that was lowered and wheel spaced, a Ferrari Modena and several other fascinating cars. Finally, we had the chance to hit the track and I immediately noticed that even though the track was still in the process of drying out, I was doing MUCH better. I knew that a good night of rest and absorbing my previous day of lessons, I would likely improve, but even I was surprised at how much better I was doing. I felt like I had nearly 80% of the track down as far as being able to read what was coming next, where I had to turn, the hazards of each segment of the track, the amount of braking force I needed, etc…Moreover, Oliver was having to do less directing of my braking, turning, speed management, etc., that I was beginning to feel I was actually going to eventually GET IT.
I only had until noon today to get track time in because of a trip I am taking tomorrow, so four laps were all I could manage. However, the last lap was with my wife at only 75% of what I was doing with Oliver and it was a blast. It was and is beginning to come together. My trusty camera babe managed to get some video with the digital camera in her bag, so all was not lost. I am uploading it now and I will post a link when it is available.
After Oliver and I discussed a few things, we headed into the cantina at Nordscheife and again, Sabine was there. This time, my wife demanded that I approach her for an autograph. I didn’t, but she did and as a result, we obtained a couple of nice pictures and some signed autographs. She is such a nice lady and a great driver. Earlier in the day, Oliver and I were overtaken by a Sepang Bronze M5 and I thought to myself that “Wow! That guy is nuts!” My wife who took a short video at the observation area near Brünnchen, also observed this same M5 overtake me a short time later. Well, I told Sabine that I was a black M6 owner and she said “Oh, you were in that M6 I overtook near Pflanzgarten” I was happy to be overtaken and said so. It was an honor that will be on video in a future release when I get it from Oliver. Oliver did get two full laps and I am sure at one point there is video of Sabine overtaking me. It was awesome!
So, my two first days at the Ring were fantastic. I cannot recommend more strongly than YOU MUST GET PROFESSIONAL HELP before driving on this track. Oliver Grams did an outstanding job and was very patient with a less than stellar driver. I must say that I know I am better for having done it and feel much more confident about my abilities. SO much so, that while I was driving just a little bit on my own, I noticed so many mistakes of other drivers because I actually knew what the hell I was doing. Hey guys, if you plan on driving the Ring and would like a professional driver to coach you, Oliver is the man. His rates are very reasonable and if you go with up to two other friends, you can split the costs. To be honest, I wish I did because I was wasted—mentally and physically after such a short period of time, it would have been nice to have a buddy take some time on the track while I rested. Special Thanks: http://www.fahrer-training.de/
I will post pics and links to video when they are ready!!!
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"Quitters never win, winners never quit. But those who never win and never quit are idiots."
2008 BMW Z4M Coupe
2007 BMW M6 Coupe--SOLD!
2004 VW Passat W8 4Motion
1993 BMW 318i
2010 335d--on order
Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing this with us
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M-individual ///
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Hey, I was there too on Saterday...
I wish I picked Sunday. My girlfriend asked me why I picked a Saterday instead of a Sunday this time. "I'm wondering the exact same thing" I replied...
Hey, I was there too on Saterday...
I wish I picked Sunday. My girlfriend asked me why I picked a Saterday instead of a Sunday this time. "I'm wondering the exact same thing" I replied...
Thanks for posting the vids Russ. It is fun to see how beautiful that track is. Must of been a little nerve racking to have those wet sections. Oh yeah remember "brake, brake, brake."
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deknight
2007 Nurburgring Blue M6 Full Black Int, carbon fiber, HUD, Ipod inter., charcoal filters out, BMC filters,
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2007 Alpine White Z4 M Coupe, Supersprint Sport Exhaust, X-pipe and Section 1,
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Nürburgring-Nordschleife--busting my cherry!
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