21st - 24th July ring trip report
Discussion
The 500 odd pics I took at the weekend will be on the main Northloop site in a few mins.
Here is my report from the weekend.
Friday
Dave picked gary up from his brothers at 6.15am, so a nice lie-in for Gary for a change.
It was the Porsches first trip of the year and Dave was looking forward to getting the old girl back to the hallowed ground.
Gary’s work colleague Ross was joining the guys with his girlfriend Gemma and their friends Andy and Liz.
Dave and Gary caught the 8.28 tunnel crossing, easy as pie great start.
Ross / Andy / Gemma / Liz catch later ferry than they should have done due to over booking. Gary’s gearbox was in the back of Ross’s VR6 so the likelihood of it being fitted Friday started to reduce.
Dave and Gary got to Brussels when they got a text from Ross saying he was delayed again and stuck in the channel waiting to dock
The chance of the 205 being roadworthy for the weekend dwindling fast.
Dave and gary arrive at ring by 2pm and immediately take Gary’s clutch to the garage for them to start work on at least that.
Dave goes to start lapping for the first time with his new suspension fitted, but the car seems to be under steering more than normal?
Gary picks up Rob’s M3 which has been fully resprayed and looks stunning. Large bill, but a great job. :thumb:
Ross and the other finally arrive at 4.30 and the gearbox is taken direct to Arno. Gary is already testing the local speciality
Unfortunately 5mins was not enough time to fit a gearbox so Gary’s plan to drive at the weekend was out of the window.
Dave bought enough beer for everyone and some nice glasses to drink it from! Something Dave does well is beer.
h43r:
Stunning weather, not a cloud in the sky and some nice clear Friday afternoon laps.
Met up with the Oola in his nice M3 GT and his friends.
Met and had a chat with V8guitar
Gary went out for a lap with Dave in the 944 then Dave kindly let Gary have a drive.
The first track closure of the weekend at 7pm so the team called it a day and go for a beer
Ross didn’t make it to the track he stayed at the apartment with Andy changing his tyres and brakes. A funny event was them both standing up when they had completed the job when Andy heard a clicking sound under his foot. Looking down the brake retainer from one of the pads was stuck to his shoe so the wheel had to come off again.
Quiet evening in the apartment where Andy came into his own by not letting anyone go to sleep until they had drink at least one full crate. Team retired around 1am very tired and extremely drunk.
Saturday
7.30 start to get a quick shower and be at the track for 8am. Andy and Liz decided on a lie-in……….No comment :whistle:
Ross put in his first lap trying to remember which way the track went not as easy as he remembered. His very stripped VR6 with 200bhp providing a good basis for a ring toy. The comical part is that it has no dashboard but a stereo strapped to the floor with a speaker mounted in a tool box which is sprayed and bolted to the floor also. 100% for effort.
For some reason the fan started constantly working on the 944 so the battery had to be disconnected to stop it draining. German clutter :thumb:
Met Gorisan26 who looked to be going very nicely in his STi
Gary went out for a lap with the Brewski boys in the mad caterham. Getting his 6ft frame in and being comfy were not going to happen so he just went for getting his frame in. If you imagine the foetal position while wearing a helmet it’s close to it.
An excellent lap with the caterham performing well, as did the driver.
Around mid-day Gary had to nip to the garage to pay some of Jonah’s M3 bill. When he arrived he heard a familiar sounding engine note. 10 seconds later his car pulled out of the garage. The mechanic who was not supposed to be working Saturday came in especially to fit his gearbox. Could you imagine them doing that in the UK?
There was a huge storm around 1pm with the 205 having only gotten one lap in. Sitting in the car with the rain hammering down Gary thought ‘what the heck’ and went for a 50mph lap. It was the first time he had not seen another car or another person on a lap.
Phone call from Dave saying he had spun on the exit of Brunchen 2 Bren was to blame he was pushing Dave to get the back end out. He sure managed it :lol: . He also managed to get a stone between the disc and backing plate, meaning a wheel had to be taken off in the car park…borrowed some tools off someone and repaid him by taking his wife out for a lap. B)
A fun lap with the 205 and the Brewski boys Caterham. Their customers in the passenger seats being treated to a little horse play as Gary and Darren overtook each other constantly through the lap. Great fun and very safe.
Chatting with Ben Lovejoy Ed and Thorleif
The 205 for some reason was running like a bag of nails and unable to tick over. It was fine to drive once it passed 3K revs, so Gary kept on lapping in it.
Ed had an incident when the FTO he was passenger in, it had an accident on the entry to Adenau Forst. Ed was lucky to escape with nothing more than a small cut, the FTO was written off.
The guys decided to have a BBQ at the apartment. The food they bought was brilliant with German style steaks being the order of the day. The only problem was by the time it was cooking they had to use VR6 light to cook under.
The carnival was also in town in the form of the German Truck grand prix. At around midnight the fireworks started and the guys were treated to a great display while drinking copious amounts of beer. A 3.30am finish to the day.
Sunday
Another early start to the day.
The track was quieter than expected for a mad Sunday which was nice. Infact the guys commented that it had been much quieter than last year for sure.
Met Robert with the nice Alfa 147GTA
Dave had a passenger lap with Autohabit in the pretty E30 M3 and CJCastor in the Nova. Dave took him out for a lap in the 944.
Gary and Dave went to Quiddelbach Hohe with Robert to take pictures for a couple of hours. These guys nipped onto the track during a closure and zapped up the road motorcross style playing to Gary with his camera.
A picture of Bren on the back wheel of his R1, the first one he had seen apparently?
Thorleif’s tyres looked like they had seen better days so another set was obtained quickly. Why isn’t it surprising that he kills tyres and brakes so quickly? 
Some nice laps with Porsche and 205 passenger seats being busy as usual
205 becoming quite undrivable at anything under 3K revs. Some work for the garage in the next couple of weeks he thinks.
A nice lap with Robert in the GTA following Gary. Dave nervous at the SX speed of the GTA
Met Karl who had blown the Nova up. Another nice lap this time with Ross following the 205 in his VR6 golf.
Dave took Ross out for a great lap with Adam Driving one of his groups Boxster S, lots of crashes around Stilestreke and Carrousel. Dave let the ring taxi past up Hohe acht and then by Mini Karoussel was still about 1 meter off its rear bumper. One of the best laps of the weekend.
Dave spinning at Pflantzgarten on his last lap of the day and luckily staying on the black stuff, phew
Meal in the Pistenklause with new and old friends. The Brewski bros, Steven and his wife with the quick diesel beemer, Ross Andy, Liz, Gemma. James with the 968, Lali with the Seat. Of course Thorleif was there too so plenty of beer was drunk and the guys endlessly taking the piss out of each other :thumb: ''Jesus its all about having fun for (Oops I said the F word)s sake'' WHO AM I???
Monday
A quick (ish) and easy trip home with the guys very tired.
On getting home they learned of the tragic events which claimed the life of a young German biker Monday afternoon.
The thoughts of all on Northloop are with his family…………Its important to remember that while we are all addicted to the place we must be sensible and stay safe.
Gary and Dave
www.northloop.co.uk
Here is my report from the weekend.
Friday
Dave picked gary up from his brothers at 6.15am, so a nice lie-in for Gary for a change.
It was the Porsches first trip of the year and Dave was looking forward to getting the old girl back to the hallowed ground.
Gary’s work colleague Ross was joining the guys with his girlfriend Gemma and their friends Andy and Liz.
Dave and Gary caught the 8.28 tunnel crossing, easy as pie great start.
Ross / Andy / Gemma / Liz catch later ferry than they should have done due to over booking. Gary’s gearbox was in the back of Ross’s VR6 so the likelihood of it being fitted Friday started to reduce.
Dave and Gary got to Brussels when they got a text from Ross saying he was delayed again and stuck in the channel waiting to dock
The chance of the 205 being roadworthy for the weekend dwindling fast. Dave and gary arrive at ring by 2pm and immediately take Gary’s clutch to the garage for them to start work on at least that.
Dave goes to start lapping for the first time with his new suspension fitted, but the car seems to be under steering more than normal?
Gary picks up Rob’s M3 which has been fully resprayed and looks stunning. Large bill, but a great job. :thumb:
Ross and the other finally arrive at 4.30 and the gearbox is taken direct to Arno. Gary is already testing the local speciality
Unfortunately 5mins was not enough time to fit a gearbox so Gary’s plan to drive at the weekend was out of the window.
Dave bought enough beer for everyone and some nice glasses to drink it from! Something Dave does well is beer.
h43r: Stunning weather, not a cloud in the sky and some nice clear Friday afternoon laps.
Met up with the Oola in his nice M3 GT and his friends.
Met and had a chat with V8guitar
Gary went out for a lap with Dave in the 944 then Dave kindly let Gary have a drive.
The first track closure of the weekend at 7pm so the team called it a day and go for a beer
Ross didn’t make it to the track he stayed at the apartment with Andy changing his tyres and brakes. A funny event was them both standing up when they had completed the job when Andy heard a clicking sound under his foot. Looking down the brake retainer from one of the pads was stuck to his shoe so the wheel had to come off again.
Quiet evening in the apartment where Andy came into his own by not letting anyone go to sleep until they had drink at least one full crate. Team retired around 1am very tired and extremely drunk.
Saturday
7.30 start to get a quick shower and be at the track for 8am. Andy and Liz decided on a lie-in……….No comment :whistle:
Ross put in his first lap trying to remember which way the track went not as easy as he remembered. His very stripped VR6 with 200bhp providing a good basis for a ring toy. The comical part is that it has no dashboard but a stereo strapped to the floor with a speaker mounted in a tool box which is sprayed and bolted to the floor also. 100% for effort.
For some reason the fan started constantly working on the 944 so the battery had to be disconnected to stop it draining. German clutter :thumb:
Met Gorisan26 who looked to be going very nicely in his STi
Gary went out for a lap with the Brewski boys in the mad caterham. Getting his 6ft frame in and being comfy were not going to happen so he just went for getting his frame in. If you imagine the foetal position while wearing a helmet it’s close to it.
An excellent lap with the caterham performing well, as did the driver.
Around mid-day Gary had to nip to the garage to pay some of Jonah’s M3 bill. When he arrived he heard a familiar sounding engine note. 10 seconds later his car pulled out of the garage. The mechanic who was not supposed to be working Saturday came in especially to fit his gearbox. Could you imagine them doing that in the UK?
There was a huge storm around 1pm with the 205 having only gotten one lap in. Sitting in the car with the rain hammering down Gary thought ‘what the heck’ and went for a 50mph lap. It was the first time he had not seen another car or another person on a lap.
Phone call from Dave saying he had spun on the exit of Brunchen 2 Bren was to blame he was pushing Dave to get the back end out. He sure managed it :lol: . He also managed to get a stone between the disc and backing plate, meaning a wheel had to be taken off in the car park…borrowed some tools off someone and repaid him by taking his wife out for a lap. B)
A fun lap with the 205 and the Brewski boys Caterham. Their customers in the passenger seats being treated to a little horse play as Gary and Darren overtook each other constantly through the lap. Great fun and very safe.
Chatting with Ben Lovejoy Ed and Thorleif
The 205 for some reason was running like a bag of nails and unable to tick over. It was fine to drive once it passed 3K revs, so Gary kept on lapping in it.
Ed had an incident when the FTO he was passenger in, it had an accident on the entry to Adenau Forst. Ed was lucky to escape with nothing more than a small cut, the FTO was written off.
The guys decided to have a BBQ at the apartment. The food they bought was brilliant with German style steaks being the order of the day. The only problem was by the time it was cooking they had to use VR6 light to cook under.
The carnival was also in town in the form of the German Truck grand prix. At around midnight the fireworks started and the guys were treated to a great display while drinking copious amounts of beer. A 3.30am finish to the day.
Sunday
Another early start to the day.
The track was quieter than expected for a mad Sunday which was nice. Infact the guys commented that it had been much quieter than last year for sure.
Met Robert with the nice Alfa 147GTA
Dave had a passenger lap with Autohabit in the pretty E30 M3 and CJCastor in the Nova. Dave took him out for a lap in the 944.
Gary and Dave went to Quiddelbach Hohe with Robert to take pictures for a couple of hours. These guys nipped onto the track during a closure and zapped up the road motorcross style playing to Gary with his camera.
A picture of Bren on the back wheel of his R1, the first one he had seen apparently?
Thorleif’s tyres looked like they had seen better days so another set was obtained quickly. Why isn’t it surprising that he kills tyres and brakes so quickly?
Some nice laps with Porsche and 205 passenger seats being busy as usual
205 becoming quite undrivable at anything under 3K revs. Some work for the garage in the next couple of weeks he thinks.
A nice lap with Robert in the GTA following Gary. Dave nervous at the SX speed of the GTA
Met Karl who had blown the Nova up. Another nice lap this time with Ross following the 205 in his VR6 golf.
Dave took Ross out for a great lap with Adam Driving one of his groups Boxster S, lots of crashes around Stilestreke and Carrousel. Dave let the ring taxi past up Hohe acht and then by Mini Karoussel was still about 1 meter off its rear bumper. One of the best laps of the weekend.
Dave spinning at Pflantzgarten on his last lap of the day and luckily staying on the black stuff, phew
Meal in the Pistenklause with new and old friends. The Brewski bros, Steven and his wife with the quick diesel beemer, Ross Andy, Liz, Gemma. James with the 968, Lali with the Seat. Of course Thorleif was there too so plenty of beer was drunk and the guys endlessly taking the piss out of each other :thumb: ''Jesus its all about having fun for (Oops I said the F word)s sake'' WHO AM I???
Monday
A quick (ish) and easy trip home with the guys very tired.
On getting home they learned of the tragic events which claimed the life of a young German biker Monday afternoon.
The thoughts of all on Northloop are with his family…………Its important to remember that while we are all addicted to the place we must be sensible and stay safe.
Gary and Dave
www.northloop.co.uk
Edited by gutmann pug on Tuesday 25th July 22:39
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff