willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
So a few months ago jr and Fad approched me at a dodgy Essex seatfront on a Saturday night and asked if I'd be
interested in going on a mission with them, the mission was to visit the Nurburgring sometime in the Summer to enjoy
Cars, Sausage and good times. I jumped at the chance and put my name down.
We had the hard task of finding a Ring Car that was capable of getting us to Germany and back which wouldnt upset us
alot if we binned it into armco. Enter The Astra CDX.
This beast has been in my fleet for half a year now, the powerplant is a 1.8 16v ecotec work of art, 5 doors,
aircon, 5 working gears, power steering and a sunroof. She hadn't missed a beat yet so we decided that she was up
for the job. Jr binned off some shitty VW Golf shed he had purchased in the meantime and we concentrated our efforts
on the CDX. During the days running up to the Friday the Kent Boys picked up the Astra, checked the vitals were
present, oil, washer fluid, air freshner and a pack of Dance music CDs from the last 10 years..
FRIDAY
Woke up in Essex at about 4.30am and made my way to Kent to meet the rest of the crew. This is before we set off
from Dartford
We got to the channel tunnel and no one was there, we had a 9.30 train and we were there at 7.30
After a while OJC and Rachel turned up
We had planned to go with VXR Online, they all turned up, laughed at our car then made our way to the trains
Once parked and moving on the train we started phase 1 of the Astra CDX Nurburgring Edition (#1 of 1), I mean we had
to make an impression on Europe?
We were getting more attention then the Ferrari in the other carraige, any press is good press I guess?
We had made it to France.
We then decided to stop for petrol, thus loosing the whole convoy bar OJC in his lovely Corsa VXR, we took more
photos to make sure we did actually look ridiclious in the sunlight too.
Gotech Gotech Gotech
....
We spotted that famous car from Taxi while in France.
And then we seemed to be stuck on th emost borring roads ever (france)
The Corsa VXR was no match for the CDX
Me and Fad changed seats, so he could co-drive with Jr
While I sat in the back with 'supplies'
After alot of getting lost, cross referencing 3 maps with the TomTom and then me shouting abit, we ended up at the
ring. First thing is to make camp at the hotel
We were in good company!!
The room was banging
There was an upstairs too so I could have alone time with channel 12.
We then went to the 'Ring  . CARS.
Then there was us...
After about 5 minutes with James being there he had Car Whored and jumped into some guys 200sx(?) to go for a lap,
leaving me, fad, ojc and rach like lemons. We decided there was no time like the present and purchased a lap ticket
to get on the track. I didn't think it was going to be as easy as it was, gave the lady 21 EUR and BAM I had my
ticket. Seeing as the Astra was 4 up, we took it quite slow but it was amazing, All sorts of fast cars smashing it
past me just tickling the paint on my wing mirrors they were so close  - We also alot of laughs from spectators
around the track 
That night we went to Pistonklause to get some steak with the VXR Online lot..
Porker outside
James enjoys steak on a rock.
Me
Mike from VXR Online enjoying the new official meal of Nurburgring, Pasta Carbonra and Chips 
After a few large jars of Germany's finest beer we walked home and OJC entertained us with war stories and locations
he would like to call Artillery from 
Then we slept.
SATURDAY
Started off with an excellent attempt at Breakfast by the Germans
Then back to the 'Ring
They were doing passenger rides in this beast for a fee!
The famous Ring Taxis waiting for the track to open
We wasnt just spotting cars that weekend
We were then offered a passenger ride with DTM race drivers in a completely standard Astra OPC (or VXR to us..). Me and Fad went out with Peter Hast who was a very nice chap, we believe the lap he did was under 9 minutes! We can all honestly say we have never been in a car being driven like this! Just goes to show what a good driver and knowledge of the circuit can acheive, for the most of our ride we had a BMW M3 CSL chasing us, on the straights he was getting near but on the corners Peter served him his ass, was amazing! I also felt sick after being chucked about in the back too much
First Astra
Rach visibly excited about going out with the driver.
I then watched in awe all the cars about to take to the circuit..
Courtney VXR
big up the Astra massive
Whats the second best thing to driving/being a passenger on the 'Ring? Going to the view points of course! With the help of a map we went to some of the famous viewing spots...
When in Germany, do as the Germans do..
Bonus shot of the comedy Astra.
After more faffling about we decided we needed more stickers before we let Jr drive her round the circuit..
ahh stage 3 complete.
Fad and OJC race prep the astra making sure it has enough 10 40.
GROUP SHOT
Then we went back to 'Ring to let jr loose on the Astra, I can honestly say I won't let him to do it again. Jr took that car to its limits and had it sideways at one point infront of a crowd. Not that he ment to do that or anything - After James managed to scare us all, we had the sticker cemenory
Presenting the Astra CDX Nurburgring Edition.
So by now its about 5pm on a Saturday afternoon, so we went quad biking!
We also had a chance to act out as ninjas
Then went back to the Hotel to get ready for our meal out in the nearby village..
Later on we met up with Lee (lee303), Rob (SpanishFly) and Giles for a meal at Pinoocchio in nearby Adenau. It seems everything on the menu comes in one size (fucking massive)
Lee, Rob
Two Hands Will
Face for sizing
Lee's giant tumour sized Cazone
Then uh, me and Rob found a typical German clothes shop
SUNDAY
The plan was simple, eat breakfast, do a couple of laps, go to the castle, go to the viewing points then get back to the mother land.
Cars
(we had the courage to actually park the Astra of Doom in the main car park)
Then we went to the castle for some awesome views
Ojc defended the tower using his 'gun'
Then we went to another viewpoint to get sunburnt
Rach keeping an eye on us.
After watching some death we decide it was time to go, so we pointed the TomTom back to England and set out on our way home. We lost OJC&Rach in the VXR after about 5 minutes and instead of trying to find them again we went our different ways home. Once on the motorways of Germany, Holland?, Bellguim and France I had my foot down pretty much most of it, only stopping for dodgy ham sandwiches and petrol. End result was that we got to the channel tunnel gates only to be greeted by massive queues and angry people who wanted to get home. This was about 6PM so we were hoping with the time difference we may well get back home to watch Top Gear. Sadly we got back for about 11PM Fuck the french.
All in all I had a fantastic time, I want to thank Fad, jr for taking me along, ojc and Rach for fantastic company, Dougie and the rest at VXR Online for laughing at our Astra at every possible chance and making us feel very welcome.
[Edited on 30-06-2008 by willay]
[Edited on 30-06-2008 by willay]
|
Paul_J
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
|
Awesome Good read!
I can't wait for my trip in 2 weeks! OJC has laid down a challenge to me after he said about the Astra VXR laps - to do a sub 9 min lap. He said it would be impossible for me to do one in my car, to be honest I agree, but i'll give it a crack.
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
the figure was from ojc's timing but god DAMN was the ride good. I didnt think you could make a Astra do that
|
Mobby
Member
Registered: 31st Dec 07
Location: Leicestershire
User status: Offline
|
fucking mint read, really liked that as i hadnt seen alot about the ring, looks good and makes me jealouse
|
Tommy L
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Northampton Drives: Audi wagon
User status: Offline
|
Looks ace. Would love to do this sometime
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
brillaint mate, but no mention of the 10 min lap 
|
Robbo
Member
Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
|
Looks like an ace weekend lads
Oh... and Fadley ninja 
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
the 8.45 was from peter hass (ex touring car star) timing btw
|
All Torque
Member
Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
User status: Offline
|
Very good report.
How much did this 'adventure' cost?
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
ive just re read it, and sorry you did mention the lap
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by All Torque
Very good report.
How much did this 'adventure' cost?
Too much to list, also if I had taken a car that handled such as my Mini or the Corsa then I would of done at least another 100 EUR on petrol
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by All Torque
Very good report.
How much did this 'adventure' cost?
Hotel £200
Tunnel £100
Spending £140
long term astra damage after lapping the ring and smashing through northern europe - yet to be checked
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
then you gotta think about petrol, laps, meals during the evening, the MOST FUCKING EXPENSIVE CAFE ever etc.
|
JM_16v
Member
Registered: 17th Oct 05
Location: Essex Drives: GLC63S
User status: Offline
|
looks like grate fun, would love to do this one day
|
Icy
Member
Registered: 31st Jan 01
Location: Edinburgh Drives: Mk3 Golf Gti
User status: Offline
|
 looked like a goodweekend.
nice write up.
my bro is goin with skyline club in couple weeks too 40+ skylines in convoy
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
be nice for there to be another majority other then fucking GT3s, CSLs and M3 E30's
|
Adam_B
Member
Registered: 13th Dec 00
Location: Lancashire
User status: Offline
|
god dam that is amazing. I want to be there now.
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
My pics
My Lift within 10 mins of getting to the ring, 350bhp 200sx sorry will for fucking off
This car was shipped over from canade just for the ring
Hotel
Loved this
Adnau
Halfway up the castle
Nurberg village
adnau again
cossie spoting in belgium
Queues 
just to echo willay
cheers to him, Fad, OJC, rach, Lee303, spanish (hope you made it back alive) Giles and all the vxr people who made it great fun to be there
massive thanks to willay for letting me complete my lap too, and be kind enough to let me thrash the car
[Edited on 30-06-2008 by jr]
|
little_duke
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Tamworth,staffordshire Drives: rover coupe
User status: Offline
|
what a brilliant read.pics look amazing and looks a great time to go.weather looked spot on too
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Adam_B
god dam that is amazing. I want to be there now.
im deppressed im not there
|
myke
Member
Registered: 7th Feb 01
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
good work lads.
looks awesome
|
Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
im gutted i couldnt go.
saving funds now for next year.
how much you reckon is needed safley?
|
CorsAsh
Member
Registered: 19th Apr 02
Location: Munich
User status: Offline
|
You cunts. How could you go and not tell me? 
Looks like a great laugh, I also have the Italian Job t-shirt
|
jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
|
i told you at least twice ash
|
willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
Premium Member
Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
User status: Offline
|
jr said you knew.
|
