Nurburgring 24 Hour 2012

I leave tomorrow for Germania. Just making this thread to reserve the space for updates.

Jealous yet?

jg

Yep.

Do not forget pictures.... And drink a beer for us...

Hmmph.

Have fun.

Make sure to tell Porsche that Javelin thinks they are making a mistake. They'll know what he's talking about....

I posted on Facebook about it, but I'm Parker. I'll be there getting shots for our website as well!

Too bad we can't convince Salanis to join us...

Jealous again. This isn't your first trip, right?

friedgreencorrado wrote: Jealous *again*. This isn't your first trip, right?

Went in '10. Regretted not going last year. decided that the 50th anniversary of Daytona and the 40th anniversary of the Nurburgring 24 was just too tempting to pass up this year.

jg

JG Pasterjak wrote: I leave tomorrow for Germania. Just making this thread to reserve the space for updates. Jealous yet? jg

I'm still jealous of the last trip.

How many more laps do you need to do so that you are considered "familiar?"

alfadriver wrote:

JG Pasterjak wrote: I leave tomorrow for Germania. Just making this thread to reserve the space for updates. Jealous yet? jg

I'm still jealous of the last trip. How many more laps do you need to do so that you are considered "familiar?"

I think we're going to try and squeeze some lapping in Tuesday after the race. After about 4-5 nights of going section by section in Forza, I think I have the rhythm and sequence down pretty well. Not the lines, certainly, but you could probably count the number of guys that know that on one hand.

The thing is, the parts that are more "racetracky" memorize easily. There's more of a progression to them. It's the snaky, country road-type sections that don't commit themselves to memory all that well.

But when you think about it, it's only 13 miles. Add up all the tracks you know by heart and it probably comes up to a lot more than that. Take it in normal racetrack-size chunks and it comes relatively easily.

As for racing, though... hmm... I'd say if I had my sights set on racing there, I would probably be comfortable going wheel-to-wheel at a club level after a busy day or two of recon and some coaching. The thing is, there's just so few traditional passing opportunities. Probably 75% of the track requires some sort of heroic balls move to try and pass someone.

jg

JG,

Just sent you a friend suggestion. ;)

See if you can get an interview.....

JG Pasterjak wrote: I leave tomorrow for Germania. Just making this thread to reserve the space for updates. Jealous yet? jg

Hugely.

I await glowing rotor stop action shots with much anticipation. Please tell me you are not racing it. That would be too much envy to bear.

JG Pasterjak wrote: Jealous yet?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

JG Pasterjak wrote: I leave tomorrow for Germania. Just making this thread to reserve the space for updates. Jealous yet? jg

Hugely. I await glowing rotor stop action shots with much anticipation. Please tell me you are not racing it. That would be too much envy to bear.

That's certainly on the list someday, but they've made it tougher in the past couple years. Used to be a good US enduro resume could get you a pass, but now they're requiring everyone that has not participated in the 24hr within the previous five years to run at least two 3hr or greater VLN races at the Nordschleife within the previous year or so. Or one race and one specialized training session. Basically, your first time requires at least two prior trips to Germany, and probably three, within the year and a half or so leading up to your race. Figure in airfare, seat rental, and other costs and if you're footing the bill yourself all of a sudden you realize you could probably run a full year of Conti Challenge Or WC Touring for the money.

Although, Conti Challenge and World Challenge don't run the Nurburgring...

jg

I spoke to JG a little while ago, and he was at Daytona International Airport. He's probably in Atlanta now for his layover.

Atlanta' s Cheetah Lounge nice ! Go JG send me a postcard from The Ring Tropical Window Tint 1612 Suncoast Blvd Homosassa Fl 34448

I do so hate him. He even gets paid to do this. I say we ruin what little reputation he has! Where the hell is that pic of him in drag molesting a Subaru?

Curmudgeon wrote: I do so hate him. He even gets paid to do this. I say we ruin what little reputation he has! Where the hell is that pic of him in drag molesting a Subaru?

Which one?

Actually I paid my own way over here. There's a lot of races I have to go to. This one I WANT to go to. Margie said the company would buy me organ sausages, though. Plus I'm flying the wife over Sunday for a week of R&R Deutschland style, which is just like regular relaxing, only much more worklike.

I got to the track today after most of the stuff had happened. I flew into Munich so I could pick up my car for the week (a JCW MINI Cooper S Coupe. Say what you will, but I like the ugly little turd. It's like a regular JCW Cooper S after a couple of RedBulls).

Anyway, here's some walkin' around photos from today. Mostly in the historic race paddock, which is indescribably awesome. If I can find anyone that speaks English I'm going to try and get a real photo shoot done on a car or two.

http://photobucket.com/nurburgring24_2012jgp

More goodies coming.

jg

Whoa, the drive from Munich is no joke. 8 hrs?

My experience over four years in that part of Germany is that it won't be hard to find a decent English speaker. I had a clutch put in my E34 in Adenau (after ruining it on the 'ring. Oops.) and the random tech that fixed the car spoke better English than most of my high school class.

ShadowSix wrote: Whoa, the drive from Munich is no joke. 8 hrs? My experience over four years in that part of Germany is that it won't be hard to find a decent English speaker. I had a clutch put in my E34 in Adenau (after ruining it on the 'ring. Oops.) and the random tech that fixed the car spoke better English than most of my high school class.

It was only about 5-6 today. Traffic was smooth and there were extended periods I could run 200kph+. Do that for 20-30 minutes at a shot and it knocks a lot of time off the ol' commute.

And, yeah, everyone's English always impresses me over here. Of course, schools teach it from day 1, so I shouldn't be surprised. One of the benefits of being a world superpower I suppose. It still constantly surprises me how blatantly Americans stand out over here. They can spot me coming a mile away, and I never considered myself that stereotypical.

jg

JG Pasterjak wrote: Anyway, here's some walkin' around photos from today. Mostly in the historic race paddock, which is indescribably awesome.

Wibble!

By the way, one of my plans this weekend was to buy some random cool crap at gift shops at the track, then hold it hostage for additional Facebook Friendings. So if you are a friend on FB, tell your friends to wait another 24 until i can get some shopping done. If you aren't a friend, first, WTF pal? Second, wait until the signal when we rally the troops.

jg

All of a sudden, I want another E21.

JG Pasterjak wrote: By the way, one of my plans this weekend was to buy some random cool crap at gift shops at the track, then hold it hostage for additional Facebook Friendings. So if you are a friend on FB, tell your friends to wait another 24 until i can get some shopping done. If you aren't a friend, first, WTF pal? Second, wait until the signal when we rally the troops. jg

I only suggested the friend so that you could possibly have some additional fun on the track.