Nordschleife

Generally, having the hire car upgraded to a brand spanking new 2010 E Class would be a good thing. However when the destination, Nurburgring's Nordschleife, is arguably the most gruelling production car test track on earth, this isn't good news. It would be an under powered, 4.8m and 1.7 tonne battleship that Andy C, Andy F and myself would be pushing around the 'ring. The car was indeed built for the cruise up the Rhein Valley, and had plenty of legs for the Autobahn (2400rpm at 180km/h) getting us to the accomodation at Altes Forsthaus in style and good time.

In their own words Altes Forsthaus was established 1924. Briefly after the opening, Daimler Benz noticed the advantages which this house offered: Direct proximity to the racing course, infrastructure to maintain race cars and simultaneous accommodation for the team. Until today nothing changed! The facilities were spot on, the menu had more meat than an abatoir and a well stocked bar that stayed open until the early hours. This is the closest accommodation to the entrance of the 'Ring.

Saturday morning saw further exploration of the Rhein Valley, with all of us getting a chance to settle into left hand drive. By the afternoon, we returned to catch the tail end of the days racing and get ready for the track to open for public laps. The massive Merc stood out in the car park amongst a sea of roll caged Beemers, Porsches and a surprising amount of R35 GTR's. I opted to take first lap, and suitably scared the boys- but their revenge would be at hand very soon.

In the Saturday and Sunday sessions, nothing short of a race ready BMW over took us, and many a 'superior' vehicle had the ominous grill of the E Class in their rearview mirror, before seeing our tail lights for the last time. Andy F put down a 9min55sec lap only 3 laps in- 170HP 1.7tonne, impressive. With the brakes seriously ready to combust, and the ABS retired, Andy C's climatic last lap was met with rain, but he persevered with some awesome moments, including overtaking a Caterham and finding some reverse lock out of a few tight turns; showing that the fateful day on a lonely Iluka gravel road is well behind him.

A modern pilgrimage. Nordschleife, I will be back.

Light reading in Subway?

Sausage Sizzle in the car park

Back markers meeting the E Class / GTR overtaking all of us.