Tim and Bob's Tracktasctic Nurburgring and Zandvoort Tour

[Tim in Belgium]

North to South on Saturday

So the plan was set, ferries were booked, trailers bought, hotels reserved, race chrono downloaded to smart phones, blue tooth GPS devices charged, it was time.

JC (aka Bob Bobbleton) set off from sunny Teesside via the Helmsley TT on the Blade to Hull where he caught a ferry chatting to smokin south africans, whilst I sat at home in Holland loading my bike and finding my biking paraphenalia and supping the odd Leffe.

Saturday morning dawned and I headed down to the garage, bike loaded, Pug ready to haul, 10-4.

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/44417/2583481170084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2583481170084392296UXAFLb)

It was a quick tootle to Europort, watching the ferry moor and the contents spill out, amongst them Bob Bobbleton, ready to change into the luxury of civvies and travel in french clutter style.

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45357/2215244400084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2215244400084392296eVyXXC)

Loaded and ready to roll:

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/43750/2139018920084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2139018920084392296gXsBbO)
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/43232/2487446360084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2487446360084392296pQhTgT)

It was then on to the Roads of Holland, jam tastic round Eindhoven, lots of interesting flatness to keep us bored. Stopping for crokets, frikandel and gehaktstaf for some true dutch cuisine at a service station before Venlo, we then hit the open German roads, picked up our velocity, dropped the Pug's MPG and got motoring, a few final kilometres on the B258, reminiscing over the same corners of previous trips, overtaking manouevres on the bike round open bends, oil on the back tyre, mist in the valleys, burning sunshine mornings. But we were in the Pug, towing 3/4 of a tonne, steady but comfy in the alacantra, it would have been better if my air con wasn't fubared though.

Saturday at the Ring


We were soon in Nurburg, a quick check in at the Ringhaus (snigger), unload the bikes and we headed down to the track, Bob getting his JK very promptly, the office was empty.

On to the track to get in the groove, which was pretty brief, Bob managed 5 laps and I only managed 4 due to my refuelling strategy closures were coming in to play. (Please note, not all track photos are in strict chronological order…)

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/44232/2880129090084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2880129090084392296fnyezy)
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/43510/2364673560084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2364673560084392296TbutiB)
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/39111/2010228850084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2010228850084392296ZcTSEF)
http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/44079/2921336650084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2921336650084392296lmKvLO)

The track reopened, but only to cars, so we called its bluff, headed back to the hotel to get out of the leathers ready for a track walk.

The track walk was a real eye opener, the gradients, surface and real appearance of the corners were something not to be missed, Bob still failed to aceive knee down at this simple opportunity, and struggled up Ex-Muhle:

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/44585/2631366460084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2631366460084392296FEDtgn)
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/43035/2221626830084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2221626830084392296dayKmR)
http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/26940/2236820000084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2236820000084392296xmKYQa)
http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/39013/2175631630084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2175631630084392296CTOLYK)

[Tim in Belgium]

Silly Sunday

After some top notch Scnitzels and Bitburger the night before we woke at a stupid time and were greeted with what was a heavy dew or light shower. We headed down to carry out some Suzuki/Hond@ maintenance. The Suzuki neede nothing but the dew wiping off it, the Hond@ had started to weep oil on the clutch cover (miniscule amounts track fans, less than a 911 puts out of its exhaust ;) )

After a gentle recce lap, discovering a damp back end of the circuit, we decided to wait a bit before heading out for another, which showed a pretty dry track, but a slightly lopsided blue GSXR, causing the track to shut. It was then out for a few laps, some with Welly's (Dave's) mate Richy RSV. More laps and more closures, manic traffic, some bad driving, crashes in front of me, although 8 cars into Brunchen 2 a breast it was no suprise, just glad I hung back. Bob wasn't enjoying the manicness of it, and was keepin safe, doing his own thing. I was getting through traffic, finding it preferable to be in front of some numpties than behind. But riding was testing and it was no state for pushing on, although I was loving the GSX-R even more.

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/43350/2480356720084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2480356720084392296qbPibd)
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/31315/2562865250084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2562865250084392296YebNkj)
http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/31986/2682029310084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2682029310084392296cZxykG)
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/29048/2621485980084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2621485980084392296Klalsx)
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/44550/2069669410084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2069669410084392296JdxtYE)
http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/44869/2593923320084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2593923320084392296tLjmZq)
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/15491/2811040840084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2811040840084392296MuPTCl)
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/44440/2785135660084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2785135660084392296oEzrXl)
http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/16712/2744382660084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2744382660084392296OtGEgr)
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/44523/2240135010084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2240135010084392296ZnGpkC)

The frantic day was followed up with more Schnitzel and beer after retiring from the car park at just gone 7pm, being pretty sure it wasn’t going to open up again.

[Tim in Belgium]

Magnificent Monday

Up early again, packing up the Pug (well throwing stuff in randomly), delighted to find no rain and only the lightest of dews. We speeded through breakfast, straight into leathers and down to the track prior to the grand opening at 8am. With a little judicious manouevring I found my self at the front and was 1st vehicle out on track (or so I thought), out through the barrriers with the Nordschleife all to myself. Although not full on due to the possibilty of damp patches it was fantstic, deer poo through Miss-Hit-Miss (I missed it), and then catching up the Rode Kreuze (sp? ) 5 series through Wipperman, letting me through before Eis Kurve. It was more great laps, until I discovered my number plate mount had suffered work hardening and failed, bringing my day to an early end after a self imposed retirement ( I let the office know it could be out there somewhere...). The only failure on my bike to date and an aftermarket part....

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/43444/2678985630084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2678985630084392296YikeBw)
http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/43486/2106974470084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2106974470084392296YgwCNB)
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/40820/2283597200084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2283597200084392296yKFRTO)
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/40103/2768874430084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2768874430084392296rZzjye)
http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/45546/2093027930084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2093027930084392296VTMYeY)
http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/4936/2633192470084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2633192470084392296xiCeFM)

I headed down to Breidscheid to meet Bob for lunch in the Pug before he headed out for a few more laps, nicely in the groove and really enjoying it. I wasn't too disappointed in the number plate failure, plenty more laps left in the sea for this year, plus I got to wear shorts when it was stinking hot and have a beer with my lunch.

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/41557/2705766030084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2705766030084392296kIKmIo)
http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/42428/2782458410084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2782458410084392296AYcuSr)
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/42394/2633161370084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2633161370084392296GmmWNn)
[/URL]
[URL=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2587248190084392296oEtGRI]http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/24483/2587248190084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2587248190084392296oEtGRI)

After a few more laps and a track closure Bob met me back at the Ringhaus where the Blade joined the GSX-R on the trailer and it started to spit with rain, again we had read it just right. We met Darran (MX-5) for the first time whilst loading, luckily the Legact GT-B I sold him through my Dad is still running ;) Small world eh? Not content with 3 days in a row in track we headed off along the B258 (just missing Bren in the Jetta in some village, heading 'Ring wards), destination Zandvoort, Bob now on the beers and me on the ice tea.

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41648/2230950730084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2230950730084392296eEiLgV)
http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/24272/2053032330084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2053032330084392296qfeeVj)

A few hours and more dutch service station food later we were at Zandvoort, quite a view from the hotel window.

http://inlinethumb50.webshots.com/45553/2137477370084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2137477370084392296EgXPSf)

A quick wander to find a beer n somewhere better than the hotel bar, nice beach and some amusing adverts.

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/42107/2488267510084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2488267510084392296ULyDCW)
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/21985/2640453180084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2640453180084392296RQqwLT)
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/39883/2645417790084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2645417790084392296FGAKAa)
http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/42440/2672605300084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2672605300084392296zeVAZX)

[Tim in Belgium]

Testing Tuesday

Another early start to travel the 400m across the road to, the Zandvoort circuit, checking into our trackday, unload the bikes, faff, faff some more, lose stuff and then faff a little more! A well organised trackday by motorsport lifestyle. As it was our 4th day in a row on track the fatigue was starting to set in, coupled with some heavy braking zones and repeated right handers even the youthful in our group were feeling it! Still a fun track, extremely wide and some useful cambers amongst the dunes. Just 5 20 mins sessions, but more than enough for both of us at this stage in the game.

http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/43847/2420594360084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2420594360084392296RkQKoM)
http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/42519/2643472350084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2643472350084392296vmnUvJ)
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/43096/2295008340084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2295008340084392296EAmBQh)
http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/15997/2065942470084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2065942470084392296rupUfh)
http://thumb16.webshots.net/t/74/174/2/0/73/2410200730084392296SNEiNL_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2410200730084392296SNEiNL)
http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/44661/2139504510084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2139504510084392296XzxKVI)

Bob ran the interesting tyre strategy of picking up more rubber than he was using!

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/44917/2847497420084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2847497420084392296GUEeeD)

Where as I nicely ground away my rear right shoulder, profile gone on the right, passed the wear bars, don't look bad from this angle though:

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/44245/2293300930084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2293300930084392296bBlMES)

Bob then packed up and loaded, before practicing his high speed ferry dash position with rucsac.

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/44873/2198321980084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2198321980084392296EhIoqS)
http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/32370/2821813170084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2821813170084392296XQpDJc)

I had my tyres swapped for a set of BT-002s I had in the car. I then hung about in Zandvoort, having dinner with a lady friend before heading back to Hellevoetsluis, sleep heavy on my mind.

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/45486/2334031330084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2334031330084392296DIpWJc)
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/42769/2712066380084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2712066380084392296GrIxKj)

A great 4 days, perhaps 1/2 a track day too much, may be a rest day in between next time? Still totally stoked, on a huge adrenalin come down now, sourcing new number plate and hanger, looking forwrad to the next Ring trip, this time on slightly stickier rubber....... Living the dream.

[ThEGr33k]

Looking like you had a good time man! So is the 750 a nice track machine then? You seem to be a lot more animated on it than your mate is, he hardly looks like he is moving on the bike at all. Not that I can say much, I dont move that much either haha

[Jamiebridges123]

So many trackdays... very jealous

[Binky]

Nice little write up there Tim. It's great when folk take time, especially with the photos. Nice work. :salut:

[Tim in Belgium]

Looking like you had a good time man! So is the 750 a nice track machine then?

Yep really enjoying the 750 on track, a great machine, very composed, the odd power wheelie, a little spinning up of the rear in 2nd at Zandvoort but all very controllable. The only thing is the front end is maybe a little too soft on track, expecially under heavy braking, I noticed this mainly at Zandvoort where there are a few heavier braking zones being a short circuit. I found it fine at the Ring though. I think the bike has more in it, I need to develop my riding further, although my Ring BTG times are steadily coming down.

[Welsh_Wizard]

quality thread..

[Luckypants]

Why can't I see the piccies? :smt022

[Bluepete]

Why can't I see the piccies? :smt022


Need to find your glasses Mike?

[jumjum_0214]

Excellent write up.... very jealous ;-)

Keep us updated with the next trip :-)

[nik_nunez]

looks like you are making the most from your annual pass, nice pics again

[chasey]

How many laps is that this year then Tim? Not enough? :P

Love reading your Nurburgring threads. Always lots of pictures and a good write up!

[Tim in Belgium]

How many laps is that this year then Tim? Not enough? :P



It's never enough! I've done 104.5 this year to date, 39 in the car to date and 65.5 on the bike (+ a few extra half laps). A fair few more to come too. :D

[Skip]

Doing that many laps its no wonder you bought the annual pass!

Great stuff Tim! :)

[Luckypants]

Need to find your glasses Mike?

Ha! Ha! Had an eyetest yesterday and my peepers are A1 thanks! :D

Seriously though, my PC does not display the pics!

[Tim in Belgium]

I'm not sure why, they're hosted on webshots, perhaps that's causing an issue?

[Davies]

Great write-up Tim, cheers for sharing :thumbsup:

[rob13]

Excellent as always mate, makes me jealous! Might have to buy one of those 750's myself as they are tasty.

Good to see Bob enjoying himself although he does still look a bit wary about dropping the blade. You planning on returning here at all this summer?

[wizurd]

excellent pics and write up. well jealous

[Alpinestarhero]

Tim, always a pleasure to read your nurburgring adventures. GSXR's look right at home on the track...I think next year, I'm gonna have to organise a trip with my dad to get him onto the 'ring.

Hopefully i can join him on a fazer thou'...but im sure the SV will be just as fun :D

[Tim in Belgium]

You planning on returning here at all this summer?

Back for midsummer weekend for my Dad's belated 60th birthday party, but flying and not on the bike :( No other plans as yet as my summer schedule is pretty rammed.

[rob13]

Back for midsummer weekend for my Dad's belated 60th birthday party, but flying and not on the bike :( No other plans as yet as my summer schedule is pretty rammed.

tell me about it, I've got a wedding this weekend, charity ride and camping next weekend then might be camping the weekend after. Following that it all gets a bit messy as I'm back on shifts but plenty in the pipeline. Best to keep busy I say, make the most of the weather while its here!