24hrs At The 'Ring

Thanks to the generosity of KW Suspensions, I'll be attending the ADAC Zurich 24hr-Race at the Nurburgring next weekend. No, not behind the wheel, just behind a camera (this time, anyway).

Now, I've been fortunate enough to have taken a grand total of about a dozen laps of the 'Ring, and while I did get somewhat familiar with its 13-plus miles, I simply can't imagine running that track with 249 (!?!?!?!) other cars for 24 hours. Of course, with 13+ miles of track, there should be space for everyone, but the field is as diverse as any you're likely to see anywhere. It's everything from GT3 Porsches and Audis to Civic Type Rs. Think of the 25 hours of Thunderhill, just with waaaaay more of everything and you should get an idea.

There are a few American drivers entered, and even a couple we're friendly with, so I hope to be able to send some messages of good cheer home to the board. I'm not sure what the internet situation or the working conditions will be like, but I'd imagine they have a decent press room, and supposedly we small but merry band of journalists from all over the world have a whole rental house arranged for us right on or at least near the circuit for the duration of the race. So I should be able to post stuff in relatively short order for the most part. Of course, Germany is six hours ahead of the east coast of the US, so I'll actually be posting from the FUTURE. I'll let everyone know who wins the Superbowl (Atlanta over the Jets 30-17).

Any requests? I mean, I'm there, I need to write/photo/video some stuff, what do you want to know? Or should I just find the least-english speaking team and embed myself with them until they figure out why I'm there?

After the race, we visit KW's factory, and one of their OEM partners who is a manufacturer in Stuttgart that they cannot mention the name of. Probably because it's some company that makes Razor scooters with KW shocks and they're just messing with us. But maybe not.

Finally, after that, I take a day off before flying home. Because everyone know that you can see all of Germany in a day. I'm renting a Peugeot 206cc convertible and staying in a neat little bed and breakfast called the "Frankfurt Airport Holiday Inn Express" (All those quaint German names just sound festive, don't they?). So I'll probably just end up driving around and sightseeing a bit, or finding some parrot rehab center and volunteering and spending the day scrubbing food bowls and doing nail trims on birds, or just hole up in a nice, air-conditioned porno theater.

I leave Wednesday, so watch the board for updates as the internet allows.

jg

Grrrr. Where was my guidance counselor on the whole "perks" deal? Damn. Prison or the Army he says... but I could I could write stuff. Penthouse has printed my letters like 3000 times.

Or should I just find the least-english speaking team and embed myself with them until they figure out why I'm there?

This

I'm curious to see how the 911 GT3 Hybrid does. Other than that I want your spot, but I'm not the best writer around. So, have fun, don't get dead, and make us insanely jealous with this trip.

griffin729 wrote: I'm curious to see how the 911 GT3 Hybrid does. Other than that I want your spot, but I'm not the best writer around. So, have fun, don't get dead, and make us insanely jealous with this trip.

Supposedly the team that's sort of hosting us is the one running the hybrid, so I should have a front row seat. I'm really curious, too.

jg

Do you need a lacky to tote your bags and lick your boots? Have pasport and unemployed if you do.

I would volunteer to be unemployed to go on this trip. I have a passport too!

Just for the record, not all press trips are this cool. Many are glorified cattle calls. But when the cool ones come along we certainly try to enjoy them.

This one is particularly interesting just because of who is putting it together. Usually it's car manufacturers doing stuff like this, but for a suspension company—especially one without a lot of name recognition like KW—does something like this it kind of shows that they're serious about being a player in this market. Looking at the (short) list of folks coming, we're pretty much the only major US auto mag, too. That's how important you—out loyal readers—are to this company. So, in a lot of ways this is really more your trip than mine. No, you still can't come, but I will do my best to represent you.

jg

Sabine.

I heave a heavy sigh. Oh well I will get back some day.

Need someone to carry your camera gear?

I need to get out of newspapers and into magazines, we only get cattle calls, no cool stuff unless I arrange it myself.

JG,

I'm interested in the differentials. No, not the mechanical ones, but the differences in lap times and straightaway speeds between the fast cars and the slower cars. Also, are there full-on pro teams and drivers? Are there amateur teams?

If there are 250 cars the paddock must be awe-inspiring. Snap a few photos.

What particularly cool cars are running? Especially ones without lots of 000000s in their prices. Any grassroots efforts?

When the green flag waves, how far back is the last car?

Is Sabine racing? Get an interview! With photos!

Have lots of fun and eat wienerschnitzel.

David

I can lick boots. And carry camera gear too. I can chop off a leg so I can fit in a carry on compartment, just say the word.

Let me be the first to say that I HATE YOU!

neon4891 wrote:

Or should I just find the least-english speaking team and embed myself with them until they figure out why I'm there?

This

The road less traveled has served you well in the past..

Fuel economy and tire wear (or lack thereof for both) might be interesting. Maybe some shots from behind as the cars are going down that long straight (seeing the chain like observing the passing stream of consciousness). Maybe a shot of a faster car trying to pick off a gaggle of slower cars. What corners are the hardest to maintain control? Which ones are aggravated by traffic? Some shots where the big cars struggle and the slow cars shine... Some comments from the 'Ring's neighbors. Just how low-tech/high-tech does it get? How is it for teams to work with KW setting up for the race? Any long-standing rivalries? Any overdue drivers? Rookies?

Ah yes, the Frankfort Airport Holiday Inn..... Stayed there a few times. If your lucky, you'll be there during the spargel fest. Germans are crazy about white asparagus - that holiday inn had a special menu just for all the crazy crap they could make with spargel (plus all the spargel stands all over the city).

Lots of good german beer & spargel made the restrooms smell a bit odd ;)

Kendall

JG Pasterjak wrote: Any requests? I mean, I'm there, I need to write/photo/video some stuff, what do you want to know?

Rally legend Per Eklund will be co-driving a Saab classic 900. I'd be psyched to read about their efforts, as well as the technical details of the car, shown here in case there are dozens of Saabs in the race :

procainestart wrote:

JG Pasterjak wrote: Any requests? I mean, I'm there, I need to write/photo/video some stuff, what do you want to know?

Rally legend Per Eklund will be co-driving a Saab classic 900. I'd be psyched to read about their efforts, as well as the technical details of the car, shown here in case there are dozens of Saabs in the race :

Yeah. The Classic Race is Friday evening. I'm really looking forward to that—especially having just gorged on awesome vintage racing at the Mitty.

jg

First small batch of photos up here:

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/jpasterjak/ADAC%2024hour%20of%20Nurburgring%202010/

It's really cold and wet, but there's also a car sponsored by a porn site that has a pit full of strippers. So it wort of balances out.

jg

Looks like a good time! I'd offer you to come by for a couple cold ones but I'm still like five hours from there.

I gotta get out to the 'Ring sometime...

I didn't see any pics of those strippers JG. Are you holding out on us?

Just uploaded several more, including strippers as well as the GREATEST RACE CAR GRAPHICS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

Album link HERE

Vintage race is gridding now. I'll definitely be doing lots of shooting during that. jg

"Honestly hunny, I look at the race cars for the sponsors, not the pictures!"

Girl JG you will get me the cover of the magazine yes

JG

Sure baby sure