Nurburgring in a Cerbera - What could possibly go wrong?
Discussion
T-2 days until the off.
Im now well prepared for my 1400 mile round trip to the Green Hell on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The cars been checked over and other than a kaput speedo, the Cerbera is ready to haul it's 19yr old ass off to Germany. The tyres have loads of tread, all 4 matching Rainsport 3's as it is September after all, lots of meat on EBC pads and healthy discs. Reasonable big tool kit in the boot, few spare parts but mainly tiewraps, rope and ducktape.
I've purchased ADAC breakdown cover, insurance from bengotravel.co.uk/track-day-insurance and a bag full of essential items for driving in Europe.
Things I've to do tomorrow, get some Euro's, phone bank/credit card people, pack bag with car documents and a few clothes.
Checked the Nordschleife opening times, read the safety rules, checked out Bridge to Gantry website and vids (really good video of a 2016 first lap guide), scared myself silly watching too many crash videos and played a bit Gran Turismo on the PSP.
So I think I'm more or less ready but for one thing....
Is there an ettiquette to asking for passenger rides? When I first get there, i'll be too tired to drive the track myself (15hrs driving to get there) but a pax lap or two would be very beneficial. Do you just ask every random person in the carpark or is there a specific area where your chances are improved?
I've also broke the trip down to three points -
1) Will the Cerbera get me there?
2) Will the Cerbera play nicely on the ring?
3) Will the Cerbera get me home?
If it does fail, will it be
1) Engine blows up
2) Gearbox blows up
3) Wheels/bearings/brakes fall off
4) Catastrophic failure of wiring loom and the car melts into a plastic fireball.
If anyone wants to chat and assuming I get there, please come over - I'd love to discuss just how petrified I am.
Im now well prepared for my 1400 mile round trip to the Green Hell on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The cars been checked over and other than a kaput speedo, the Cerbera is ready to haul it's 19yr old ass off to Germany. The tyres have loads of tread, all 4 matching Rainsport 3's as it is September after all, lots of meat on EBC pads and healthy discs. Reasonable big tool kit in the boot, few spare parts but mainly tiewraps, rope and ducktape.
I've purchased ADAC breakdown cover, insurance from bengotravel.co.uk/track-day-insurance and a bag full of essential items for driving in Europe.
Things I've to do tomorrow, get some Euro's, phone bank/credit card people, pack bag with car documents and a few clothes.
Checked the Nordschleife opening times, read the safety rules, checked out Bridge to Gantry website and vids (really good video of a 2016 first lap guide), scared myself silly watching too many crash videos and played a bit Gran Turismo on the PSP.
So I think I'm more or less ready but for one thing....
Is there an ettiquette to asking for passenger rides? When I first get there, i'll be too tired to drive the track myself (15hrs driving to get there) but a pax lap or two would be very beneficial. Do you just ask every random person in the carpark or is there a specific area where your chances are improved?
I've also broke the trip down to three points -
1) Will the Cerbera get me there?
2) Will the Cerbera play nicely on the ring?
3) Will the Cerbera get me home?
If it does fail, will it be
1) Engine blows up
2) Gearbox blows up
3) Wheels/bearings/brakes fall off
4) Catastrophic failure of wiring loom and the car melts into a plastic fireball.
If anyone wants to chat and assuming I get there, please come over - I'd love to discuss just how petrified I am.
T-11hrs till the off.
Got my bag packed, money sorted and car loaded up.
As I'm doing TF sessions (I'm hoping mid-week will be quiet), I've read that instructors are not permitted. So I'm probably looking to see if anyone can do a "navigator" role.
I'm staying in Haus Pit Lane and they offer some sort of service (not sure what yet) and will probably use them if I can unless anyone can suggest an alternative?
Got my bag packed, money sorted and car loaded up.
As I'm doing TF sessions (I'm hoping mid-week will be quiet), I've read that instructors are not permitted. So I'm probably looking to see if anyone can do a "navigator" role.
I'm staying in Haus Pit Lane and they offer some sort of service (not sure what yet) and will probably use them if I can unless anyone can suggest an alternative?
it will be fine,
My T350 Made it all the way there and back in May, did 4 laps, seemed happy enough, brilliant weekend.
003 by Adrian Barron, on Flickr
racetracker_1553046_22574 by Adrian Barron, on Flickr
My T350 Made it all the way there and back in May, did 4 laps, seemed happy enough, brilliant weekend.
003 by Adrian Barron, on Flickrracetracker_1553046_22574 by Adrian Barron, on FlickrIt got me here at least, unfortunately, some old bugger rear ended me in the line to board the Eurotunnel train. No damage to the bodywork, but the exhaust has, over the course of the journey, become more noticeably blowing. I've got here and the thing sounds like a tank now.
Hopefully, I'll find some accommodating mechanic that can give it the once over in the morning.
Even with the blow, it's still not nearly as loud as some of the exotica going round this evening, so hopefully it will sneak through in ninja mode
Hopefully, I'll find some accommodating mechanic that can give it the once over in the morning.
Even with the blow, it's still not nearly as loud as some of the exotica going round this evening, so hopefully it will sneak through in ninja mode
Byff said:
It's black, should be pretty easy to pick out from the dozens of Porsches that are here. I'll give her a wave if I spot her.
She'll be standing on the outside of the corner where the Marshals usually stand.I'll post it up here tomorrow if you make it round that far.
She'll be there until half six.
The Cerbera survived four laps, two driving like a granny and two quite quick. I shelled out for an instructor today and he helped me get to grips with the track - loads of crashes, witnessed a GT3 nearly rear end a mustang and a BMW totally lost it at Flugplatz.
I saw two photographers, but couldn't wave cos I'd have crashed
The Cerbera has attracted loads of attention, lots of people wanting photos etc and they're amazed when I let them sit in it, think I've made a few people's day
I saw two photographers, but couldn't wave cos I'd have crashed
The Cerbera has attracted loads of attention, lots of people wanting photos etc and they're amazed when I let them sit in it, think I've made a few people's day
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