"Hi, thinking of taking Harry to DN21 for his 21st. Fancy coming along?
From the start of this thread, something has been missing. Our aim was/is to create a reliable track toy and enjoy UK events and the NURBURGRING. Since building the house, and making some poor car choices - 996 I am looking at you, the 'Ring has been missing from my life. That sounds melodramatic, but if you've suffered the 'Ring-bug you know what I mean. And, if you haven't and plan to go, you probably will. It's a place like no other. Spa is my favourite circuit, the 'Ring is my favourite place. Just being there is extraordinary.
My wife is no fool, she knew this was Pandora's box reopening and not just an opportunity to celebrate with a father and son on their first 'Ring trip. The added sentimental pressure must have helped, I was given the OK! Being back was emotional. I felt
VERY lucky, and that I
NEEDED it. 3-years was too long to have not been. Want isn't strong enough. This was, and still is, pure need.
DN21 was a single-day event, even events tend to be 2-days and odds 1. We arrived the day before, in time to enjoy the end of a VLN race followed by a quick steak on a stone before our Bus Tour.
BUS-w*****s-US-UP! DN Events were trying something new for DN21, an organised bus tour with regular stops and narration from a legendary Nurburgring coach/driver. The real hero was the bus driver, who managed lift-off-oversteer through the Kleine-Karussell. Lift-off-oversteer in a COACH!!!!! Never thought I'd recommend a bus tour, but all three of us agreed it was an experience!
My friend had negotiated a good deal for an N-Rent Swift. Having not driven a mk1 for ages, I was keen to sample its basic delights. The Stage 2 mk2s from R4R are faster and more refined, but the S1 is what I cut my teeth in. Collecting the mighty beast, we further negotiated the extra laps costs down as much as we could. This proved a good moved as it turns out 2 experienced 'Ringers and 1 hot-shoe 20-year-old who has lived and breathed the 'Ring but never been can do quite a lot of laps in a single day.
The obvious priority was my friend's son, I was just happy to be there. They did the sighters and I caught up with lots of friends in the DD & car park.
Another advantage of doing a DN Event is it's popular with lots of people and cars we know. Even if you don't know anyone, the car park is welcoming and a friendly place. WITH A LOT OF CAR p**n. At 8 am, sighting laps start with no overtaking and reduced speed laps. At 9 am, the circuit goes green, sighting rules stop, and it's business as normal. Around 10ish, damp and likely to get wetter, it was my go. My friend's son asked if he could jump in and off we set. Despite having 3 GoPros we never found time to fit one and were having too much fun to worry about it. A mistake with hindsight, one I keep making,
ALWAYS RECORD!!! However, a friend spotted us on this video from 6:37 on. These would have been my first laps.
My driving is nothing special, I'm happy to be decidedly average. Having sat next to, and now raced with, some pro-drivers, I've been firmly put in my place. My kicks come from car control and lapping, lap after lap, consistently and safely. Ideally, learning and improving as I go. And, I love skids, but who doesn't.
As it got closer to lunchtime, I'd done four laps and was happy to let Harry have the rest of the day. However, he literally had a 'Ringbug and they went off to get some drugs to help. By this time it was properly wet and hardly anyone was lapping.
I got a little bit lost/fixated and very guiltily did a 5 lap stint. During that time only one car overtook the mighty Swift. A Cayman with a VLN driver testing on full wets. I got into a rhythm and was having so much fun I lost track of everything else. As said, we didn't time or film. However, as one of the only cars out I got quite a bit of attention from the Frozenspeed Photographers. From their timestamps, I was consistently managing sub-11 minute full laps (not BtG) in the pouring rain! The Swift was so much fun, and the ideal vehicle for the conditions. It moved around a lot! Being smooth, using wet lines, and keeping up momentum proved the most fun (and safe/no drama).
Coming round for what would have been my sixth lap, I had a huge pang of guilt and pulled into the car park. Quickly called the Dad to profusely apologise for my selfishness. He answered, by saying they were nearly back at the circuit. They'd had a nice lunch and got some drugs! RESULT! I'd gotten away with it!!!
From here I insisted I was done and it would be much easier for them to have the rest of the day to do as they pleased without considering me. Content just to be there and with a bonus 9 laps survived. I used the time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. And, to just enjoy being there. Including making a new friend with a lush spec 992. Who kindly offered me a pax.
Coming back into the car park from the lap in the 911, my phone was buzzing. Father and son were done, would I like the last lap with limited time left. I offered the 911 owner a pax, and let fate choose. It seemed the right thing to do as he'd just generously taken me out. Fully expected him to say no. He said yes, off we went. Another fun lap with hardly anyone out. Two comments made me chuckle: "It's like a van in here" and "It rotates a lot". Safe to say new-friend was impressed by the mighty Swift.
Pandora's box officially open, again. 25 laps done! The real heroes were the Swift, the Bus Driver, the Dad for the best 21st-birthday present ever, and Harry (my friend's son) for smashing his first-ever laps of the 'Ring. A trip we all never forget. More Nurburgring mentions/trips to come...
. SHE IS AWESOME 
