back to previous pagePorscheball Nurburgring 2008 Review
On meeting up at Porscheshop HQ at 8.30 Saturday morning, there was just time for a quick coffee and Rob Clarke’s (PBC) briefing before heading to Dover for the 2nd annual PCB/Porscheshop Nurburgring Porscheball, and after picking up various cars along the way we end up crossing the channel for what was to be an eventful weekend.
Courtenay Alleyne, one of this years new attendees had had his 944 cab rear exhaust fail on the way and had Porscheshop fit a replacement Stainless steel silencer so he could continue on the event. The journey across France and into Belgium early evening saw us meeting up with a French Porsche club, some of whom had been in 2007 so knew the roads quite well which helped some of us first timers navigate our way there, on arrival at the superb 4 star hotel in Bonn around 10pm (continental time) there was just time for a drink & a chat before getting a good nights sleep for our first day at the Nordschleife (north loop).
Sunday saw an early(ish) rise for a 1st class breakfast & our Track briefing and safety video in the hotel conference suit before heading off to the Ring around 11am, Rob was able to take us through some of the most beautiful Bavarian countryside on route which “he says” (and we agree) is one of the highlights of his trips and one not to be missed. On stopping at a trackside Viewing point we were able to gain first hand experience of the car’s speeds and the inclination of the course (1,000mtrs top to bottom !), this was an ideal opportunity to get photo’s and chat about the days ahead.
On arriving at the Circuit paddock we were amazed at the size & diversity of the cars (& bikes) using the facility, every car you ever owned (or wanted to own) was in attendance, some to drive the course & some just there to soak up the atmosphere, as just being there for any petrol head was as good as driving the event. The paddock included an old Fiat 500, Mk 1 escort Mexico, every BMW & VW ever made, Ferrari’s Maserati, Koenigsegg, even a British plated Bugatti Veron, including every car in between, Oh and of course Porsche’s in abundance!!
While taking it all in some of us chose to have to have lunch in the paddock restraint, with its balcony overlooking the start gates and car park this was more time spent in the sun enjoying the holiday and chatting to new visitors and returning veterans about what was to come, it turned out that Dan Curwood (996) and his partner Ann were filming the weekends event and had agreed to lead some of us 1st timers around the track, which in hindsight was invaluable due to the twists & turns of this 14 mile road corse, so it was off to the toll booth for our passes before belting ready for that 1st run.
Sunday saw most of us get a couple of sighting laps under our belt before heading back to the hotel that evening, some of us choosing to enjoy the resraunts delights and some choosing to visit the local Burger King ajasent to the hotel.
Monday saw us back to the ring after another hearty breakfast, this time a lot earlier as we would be able to make the most of the day being as the locals would be back to work that day so leaving the Nordschleife to us tourists!, included in the days events was a sight seeing trip to the South Loop, a photo call for all atendees and a trip to the local pumps for some reasonably price 100 octaine fuel, however that didn't bother Gary & his pal from Wigan who had just had his orange boxster converted to duel fuel and was enjoying swiching between the two.
Monday evening saw us back at the hotel, this time we all went to Burger King, before returning to the hotel's bar & conferance suit for Rob's debrief about the trip home & to view Ian & Dan's photo's & video's of the weekends events.
The trip wasn't without its incidents, Courtney's power steering pump broke loose & had to be repaired for the journey home & Rob's assistant Pete's imaculate guards red 924 had a misshap with a barrier which was a stark reminder to us all that the Ring can bite back!!, one of the french 944's also had a PS leak and Dan ended up with a blowing exhaust silencer which he says was a blseeing in disgues as he had always wanted a nice pair of stainless steel rear boxes.
Just time to say a big thanks for everyone who came along & made the event a huge sucsess, fortunatly we all got home under our own steem and roll on next year....