New Video - 15 May Nurburgring R GTG

[R Kelly]

Well, the weather wasn't looking good this morning, but I headed to base to pick up my friend Taylor and see if anyone else from Ramstein was gonna chance it with the rain. No one else did, but that's ok, THEY MISSED OUT!

On the way to the base, saw this big red wing through the mist...

Looked like this when I got closer...

But then I saw this right in front of it...

but you say, no, that's not, naw, it couldn't be...oh but it is

Met up with Mark (Alynthir) but where are all the V70Rs....

Oh, there they are, parked at the soccer game, should have known

Right about then I got this awful craving for some pistachio ice cream, no idea why... (nothing but love Britspeed )

We all took quick lap around the ring, first time for Mark and Taylor rode with me, forgot to have Taylor video the lap, but I figured no biggie, just have him do it the next lap after lunch...little did I know (ominous music playing here).

So we went to lunch in Adenau again, still great pizza, and some Ice Cream (no pistachio though).
From Left to Right:
Nick (Britspeed), Bryan, Taylor, Me, Jesse (speedemon), Mark (Alynthir)

The cars taking a break outside, of course the Magic Blue has to be different...

The Danes showed up while were inside...

This volvo looks a little menacing...I wonder, could it be the mythical Florian?

Ok, at this point we are headed back to the track for our second lap...I'm in the back because I'm gonna jump out at the start and get a picture of us all lined up, (well, actually, Taylor was going to jump out, see it's not legal for drivers to take pictures while on the ring). BUT, the ring closes when I'm the next car to enter the track.

So, I think, what is more important, waiting til the track re-opens to take another lap, or rushing to a viewing point so I could take pictures/videos of the guys on the track and post for all of you...

what the hell I figured, it's only an hour away, I'll come back, let's go get some pictures!!!

Not a volvo, but proof that they will let anything on Nurburgring

Also, not a Volvo, but the official Ring Mini evidently, even has a website, perhaps you can hire a ride in this???

HERE COMES THE GUYS!! (and they were actually racing each other, trying to pass and stuff, pretty wild, I have DVD quality video, will work on posting that)

of course, since no one has software, and either just a DP / exhaust or exhaust, not much gonna happen, although props to Britspeed, he almost passed Alynthir with his GT here, just not enough torque DOH!

guys were evidently struggling to keep up with ambulance (reason track closed right in front of me).

And then not surprisingly this Porsche 928 was gaining on the guys...well a little surprising considering how little throttle he was using

Bryan showing that not only do you not need helmets, you don't even have to keep your head inside the car on the track

Some random sightings, I know you love them gdogg, don't pretend you don't

The big Lotus

And the little Loti

Don't know what this is...(is a Supra under that rice?)

Our old friend the orange striped Porsche

Now I know that this is a CSL, one of three different ones I saw. Do they come in a different color?

I knew Alpine made car stereos, when did they start modding BMWs?

This guy drove all the way from England to drive around the ring

Still have snakes in Germany...

At any rate, I was stuck at the bottom of the hill, and needed a ride up to the top, so I hailed a taxi

VERY pleasant lady offered to give me a ride to the top, didn't even charge me

and, here is the video to prove it ( )

http://www.ss.otheron.com/rkel...i.MOV

Remember the Green 850R? It was Florian...(some Finnish guy trying to hitch a ride)

don't tell me he has never posed for a picture with his car before, have to say, VERY COOL. Didn't get a real good picture of what he's done in the back, but it is not family friendly

GROUP PICTURES, PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT !!!

Ok, this pic is probably my favorite, let me know if you think I should submit for calendar...

The boys and their toys (as my wife would say)...

And the guys (Bryan had to run, thanks for coming out, always a blast).

On the way home, I was trying to lead Mark to an Esso station because he didn't have a Nav, didn't matter, because it sent us to TWO different locations that were no longer petrol stations.

So I had to stop at an Aral, I couldn't find any 98 RON, so I had to settle for this (is this like 96 octane or something? )

Of course, when we finally did find an Esso, I was very low on gas, how much does the R gas tank hold in Liters???

And yes, that is $114 dollars to fill up. (thank god for Gas coupons )

Thanks to everyone for coming out! Special thanks to Taylor for video I'm gonna post, Jan & Ben for hanging out at Adenau to take pics (friendliest Latvians I've met) and Sabine for the lift.

I had an absolute blast, weather was gorgeous, but I still have a lap left on my ticket, Jesse, all yours for 12 May!

Modified by "R" Kelly at 1:02 AM 5-16-2005

[JCviggen]

I had a pretty good time too, its a little funny however that you still cant get our nationality right (that said, I did used to live in Denmark for a year)

oh and just to nitpick, florian's car is an 850R (which has an LSD and the T-5R doesnt)

Look forward to seeing you all again some time!

[R Kelly]

Quote, originally posted by JCviggen »

I had a pretty good time too, its a little funny however that you still cant get our nationality right (that said, I did used to live in Denmark for a year) oh and just to nitpick, florian's car is an 850R (which has an LSD and the T-5R doesnt) Look forward to seeing you all again some time!

Well I had 850R typed because that is what I thought you said (my Gaelic isn't what it used to be), but someone told me that it was a T5R, where did I get that idea...

Quote, originally posted by gdogg16 »

Yeah, no pics of Florians T5R?

I think the Spang Gang was going to be sponsoring one on 12 May... can you contact Florian? Let him know I want a ride

[lax01]

NICE Pics! The F40 and the Enzo were on their way to Zurich on the Gumball...man I wish I could be over there, it looks like so much fun...Florian's car has really progressed....the interior is WICKED...how did the roll cage look?

you damn Europeans have all the fun

[R Kelly]

Quote, originally posted by lax01 »

NICE Pics! The F40 and the Enzo were on their way to Zurich on the Gumball...man I wish I could be over there, it looks like so much fun...Florian's car has really progressed....the interior is WICKED...how did the roll cage look? you damn Europeans have all the fun

Zurich on the Gumball??

The roll cage looked like a network of metal tubes connecting different points of the interior in a pattern designed to add rigidity.

I'm American...WG looked like fun to.

[lax01]

yeah, the F40 and the Enzo (and whatever other cars that were in tow) where driving to Zurich...they are on a ralley called the Gumball 3000....I can't wait to do it myself one day...btw, the guys on AudiWorld love your pics

[R Kelly]

Audiworld??? I didn't have any pics of Audis today, although I saw an 05 RS4 there, way cool, except for ugly a$$ front end...

[JRL]

That looked like ONE FUN DAY.
Oh, and it's "Alpina", not Alpine, they have been modifying BMWs since the late 60s, longer than anyone else as far as I know The bang head means I was around and driving then
JRL

[speedemon]

Yap, Kelly, I think we all had a BLAST
I'll have to say, the three laps I did were all progressivly better !!!
All of us were pretty matched once we got going, and that darn ambulance was hauling the mail, wish I had some pics, but I was too busy trying to keep up !!!! What surprised me was that Britspeed with his GT was able to keep up and nearly passed a 6MT. I guess once he gets going and in 3rd, it's not torque limited.

Stay tuned for our next "Spang Gang" sponsored GTG on 12 June 2005

[R Kelly]

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

Oh, and it's "Alpina", not Alpine, they have been modifying BMWs since the late 60s, longer than anyone else as far as I know The bang head means I was around and driving then JRL

It was quite a day, wish you could be here, you could make a fortune I think buying and selling cars....

BTW, I know all about Alpina, read an article in car and driver 10 years ago about doing 180mph on the Autobahn in an Alpina BMW. - Eventually my young friend, you will grasp my subtle, sarcastic, self-deprecating humor

[ChuckB]

Quote, originally posted by "R" Kelly »

At any rate, I was stuck at the bottom of the hill, and needed a ride up to the top, so I hailed a taxi VERY pleasant lady offered to give me a ride to the top, didn't even charge me and, here is the video to prove it ( )

That looks like Sabine, the main BMW Motorsport Ring Taxi driver...too bad you couldn't have caught a ride with her around the track! She's an incredible driver who knows the Ring as good as anyone. Her ability coupled with her knowledge of the track coupled with her skill behind the wheel is apparently an unforgettable experience. In any event, you're one of the very few people who have ever ridden in the E60 M5. M5board Gustav's testing of the new M5 shows it to be an incredible car that is once again defying expectations for it's rated power.

[R Kelly]

Chuck, thanks for the info, but I knew exactly who was driving the taxi. In fact, I said, hey, that's Sabine, and walked over, opened the door, and asked for a ride. You should have seen the jaws of everyone else hit the ground. I guess I can't pretend not to know something that is really obvious, people think I honestly don't know

Oh, and to be honest, I didn't need a ride up the hill at all, in fact I had to limp all the way back down, but it was all worth it.

I would love to take a ride around the ring with Sabine, but evidently they are all sold out for the rest of the year, even at $200 for one lap (although you split that 3 ways).

BTW, turns out the Gumball 3000 is like a cannonball run sort of thing.
http://www.gumball3000.com/content/html/launch.htm?

[lax01]

yeah thats what the Gumball is...oh and Kelly, I posted the link to the pictures in one of the Gumball threads over at AudiWorld Off Topic...

[Alynthir]

Okay, first of all, I hate that pic of me in the pizza place. I look like I'm 300 pounds when I'm actually about 175.

I had an absolute blast yesterday. I've got some pictures to post later, but what I really want to see is that vid that Kelly got of us racing each other around the corner. That was insane!

FYI, Kelly, my average speed for my second time around was 61 MPH. The next time I can make it will be in July, at which time I'll have my upgraded ECU, new tires and (hopefully) an EVOLVE downpipe installed. Then we'll see if Brit's lime green monstrosity can hang!

[KVB]

Don't worry. The "R" community will accept you for who you R, whether it be 300 or 100.

[Alynthir]

Quote, originally posted by "R" Kelly »

On the way home, I was trying to lead Mark to an Esso station because he didn't have a Nav, didn't matter, because it sent us to TWO different locations that were no longer petrol stations.

I would just like to clarify this statement - the amazing piece of technology that is the Volvo Navigation system (which in my car is known as a MAP) led us literally over the hills and through the woods to this fabulous establishment that was supposed to be an Esso station:

More pics later, but I just wanted to share that one.

Kelly, did you take a picture of the rent-a-cops at that one station that tried to run my car down for running over thier hose or whatever it was??

[gdogg16]

You guys hear about what happened to Johann on the Ring?

[I Roll]

Thanks for sharing those pictures. The cars and the track are amazing! I guess I will have to play GT4 tonight since that will be the closest I ever get to driving the "Ring".

[Alynthir]

Quote, originally posted by gdogg16 »

You guys hear about what happened to Johann on the Ring?

OHNOES! He was leading us out on our first lap and we saw his blinkers go on and him pull off to the side of the track. We never saw him again yesterday and were wondering what exactly happened.

Who has this story?

[gdogg16]

Quote, originally posted by Alynthir »

OHNOES! He was leading us out on our first lap and we saw his blinkers go on and him pull off to the side of the track. We never saw him again yesterday and were wondering what exactly happened. Who has this story?

http://www.v70r.com/forums/ind...=1744

[Sharma]

Excellent pictures. That mini is fantastic!

[Britspeed]

Haha! I'll challenge anyone to come race with the green monstrosity on the green hell!

BTW, what is even more embarrassing for the mt folks is that I had winter tires on and still kept up. That beautiful blue S60 R (with the most awsome sounding exhaust-props to Evolve) was great fun to dice with.

That was the most fun I have had since, well, the last time I raced at the Ring.

Nice thread R Kelly - appreciate all your work.


Modified by Britspeed at 7:40 PM 5-16-2005

[R Kelly]

Mark-

Buddy, find a jpeg compressor, you make me have to scroll sideways

I use ImageResizer.exe from microsoft, right hand side about halfway down on this page.

http://www.microsoft.com/windo....mspx

it integrates seamlessly into XP, and allows you to compress all of your photos into small, med, large or handheld with a right click. Small works best for Swedespeed.

BTW, my computer keeps locking up when I try to import the video, very frustrating, will try again tonight.

[Svenske Racing]

Kelly, thanks for sharing!

Cool pics... makes me wish I was there

[R Kelly]

Ok, here is the Video or Bryan, Jesse, Mark and Nick on the track. It's 18MB long, so hopefully you have broadband connection.

http://ss.otheron.com/rkelly/video/ringmay05a.mpg

Look at Britspeed in his FG GT and snow tires kicking butt, almost passes Alynthir in his Magic Blue '05 6MT.

Also, you can really hear the difference in exhausts. All of the V70Rs have the Ferrita DP and exhaust, the S60R only has Evolve exhaust whcih is MUCH louder, but sounds good. Actually, very similar to Svenske exhaust note, but I slightly prefer the tone on the Svenkse with the dual resonators.

Enjoy!

[SpetsnazOp]

Wow I remember that lady from a TopGear episode

[R Kelly]

Quote, originally posted by "R" Kelly »

Ok, here is the Video or Bryan, Jesse, Mark and Nick on the track. It's 18MB long, so hopefully you have broadband connection. http://ss.otheron.com/rkelly/video/ringmay05a.mpg Look at Britspeed in his FG GT and snow tires kicking butt, almost passes Alynthir in his Magic Blue '05 6MT. Also, you can really hear the difference in exhausts. All of the V70Rs have the Ferrita DP and exhaust, the S60R only has Evolve exhaust whcih is MUCH louder, but sounds good. Actually, very similar to Svenske exhaust note, but I slightly prefer the tone on the Svenkse with the dual resonators. Enjoy!

Is anyone able to see this video? You may have to right click and save...let me know if it's working, very cool video but 18mb.

http://ss.otheron.com/rkelly/video/ringmay05a.mpg

I have couple of other videos I will post from the ring as soon as I have time. With family out of town, been working 14 hr days getting ready for two week vacation to the states starting Friday. Of course, we are visiting family, that never really feels like a vacation...

[AaronSoto]

I saw the video, super cool, thanks man!!! FYI, I did do the Save As and then view it after it was done downloading. I miss Germany...

-Aaron

[Alynthir]

Quote, originally posted by "R" Kelly »

Look at Britspeed in his FG GT and snow tires kicking butt, almost passes Alynthir in his Magic Blue '05 6MT. Also, you can really hear the difference in exhausts. All of the V70Rs have the Ferrita DP and exhaust, the S60R only has Evolve exhaust whcih is MUCH louder, but sounds good.

1.) Brit was all over my ass!! It was only my second run on the track ever though and the first time I'd turned DSTC completely off. I was feeling pretty good about just keeping pace with the two guys in front of me! Next time, I'll have the ECU upgrade and we'll see how much of a difference that makes!

2.) I'm sorry, but OMG, my exhaust OWNS.

[SuperGas]

Quote, originally posted by Alynthir »

I'm sorry, but OMG, my exhaust OWNS.

I will admit that the Evolve exhaust sounds great. I have a Svenske coming and we'll have to make a comparison. Wish I would have met up with you a little sooner because I would have loved to have tagged along on the trip.

How often does the group make a trip to the ring? I won't be able to make the 12 June event as I will be racing my straight line car in Drachten, Netherlands that weekend, but I'm ready to try my hand at driving where you have to turn the steering wheel with a little more vigor . Do you guys ever drive at Hockenheim?

[speedemon]

I think it'll be a busy summer at the ring for a few of us !!! A couple of us will try to go this Sun 22 May. Several of the guys are on leave or TDY. If your interested, we'd love to have another V70R tagging along!!!!

[BenES]

Hmm it's not working with me?...

[lvertvel]

That's very nice Kelly, thanks for your effort. I used Windows Media Player.

[SuperGas]

Quote, originally posted by speedemon »

I think it'll be a busy summer at the ring for a few of us !!! A couple of us will try to go this Sun 22 May. Several of the guys are on leave or TDY. If your interested, we'd love to have another V70R tagging along!!!!

OK, where and when do we meet?

Any problems if I bring along an EVO VII and M3?

[Alynthir]

Ha! The EVO VII will have some company if I bring my friend along as well. The M3 will get lost in the sea of BMW's tho!

I won't make it to the June one, but I've got four laps left on my ticket and I'm all for testing out the track in July.