AAM Visits the Ring!

Well, all I can stay to start things off is WOW! I just got back from 10 days visiting Nurburg Germany, and more importantly - The Nurburgring. I spent 4 days on the Nordschleife, and another on the Grand Prix Circuit.

The trip started out by cheering on AAM Friend - Mark White @ Accumoto run in his first ever VLN race. VLN is an endurance series in Germany run exclusively on the combined Ring, including the famed 24 hours at the Ring. I have been racing in the states now for 10 years, and parts of professional programs for 5 here in the US, but nothing I have ever seen compares to what I was part of there. It is just amazing!
We spent the next day on the Nordschleife, familiarizing myself with the track in our BMW 325d Rental! I think we did 12 laps in all this day.

Unfortunately, our trip plans were changed drastically by two unforeseen events. 1 - The Nurburgring closed the track last minute M-W for private testing, and 2 - We had planned a day on SPA, until a tunnel under the track closed, shutting down the track.So, in an effort to find something to do these days, we were able to talk our way into a BMW Netherlands event on the Grand Prix Circuit. Mark and I were able to get an afternoon on the full GP circuit along with the BMW Club.


On Wed, we did a day visit of the Audi Factory in Neckarsulm, where the A4/S4, S5 etc are made. Pretty cool visit. They take you from the rolls of sheet metal, all the way to the final assembly. Pretty amazing stuff indeed.

Then, finally, what we came for,... days on the Nordschleife. Thurs afternoon we rented a track prepped VW Scirocco, and did 6 laps that afternoon. Was able to also hook up with Ring Queen - Sabine Schmitz - who gave me a ride in the BMW. She is truly an awesome person!
Friday was insane ( Good Friday ). Took 3 hours to get into the track, due to many many many incidents and closures. Once we got on, were were able to have a bit of fun in our Rent-A-Racecar BMW 330i 6 sp. This was an absolute blast, getting about 12 laps in. Near the end of the day, we were able to get some decent laps in. Once you get to know the track, it becomes quite exciting. You can really carry a TON of speed through most of the track. Learning the track was many hours on simulators, and then the biggest help was having friend and Professional Racer - Mark White - providing excellent coaching throughout the trip.

I really felt like I had a good grasp of the track by the end of the trip. I could visualize every corner, and what had to be done at each. By the end, I think I had about 34 laps in. I can definitely see myself spending some more time at the the Green Hell!

We ended the trip with some casual laps on Saturday AM before having to head back to Frankfurt for the flight home.

Till Next Time!

For your European car parts needs ( Audi Parts, BMW Parts etc ), be sure to visit us at www.AboveAllMotorwerks.com