Off to the "Ring" we go again. Track car build in 2 Weeks :)

[splintheter]

Its that time of year where work slows down a bit, and I can take my annual trip to the Nurburgring on the 25th of June.

This year I am doing it slightly differently, as I havent been based in the UK for a while, so dont have a vehicle over there (and a Hyundai i30 doest count)for the last 3 years I have just been renting the race prepared Suzuki Swifts, which are awesome but expensive!

This year I set us a Top Gear Style Challenge. What can we take to the ring for £1500 (roughly what 3 days rental of the Swift/125i would be)

My first thought was an E30 or E36, but unless its prepped properly (and we only have 2 weeks) we would prob kill ourselves :flyfun:

So instead my Business partner suggested a well sorted Ford, as he had a Fiesta Zetec S many years ago, and always talks about how well sorted the Chassis was. So as much as I hate buying non BMW, we just bought this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201405244462868?atcide=emc-cars-EAF004

a 1.7 Ford Puma, with Full service History,all the right mechanical bits and bobs done.

We got the dealer down to £600 (I love UK used cars) My Mountain bike here in SA cost more!

Semi Slicks, poly bushes, exhaust, induction kit (if you cant be fast, sound fast) and coilovers are all on order.

Bring our total spend to £1372!

I leave for the UK on 20 June and we drive to the "Ring" on the 25th!

Wish me luck in my NON BMW :argh:

 

[Andy1GP]

Top Gear style! Gotta Love it! I'm so jealous. And I share your reasoning completely :thumbs:

 

[splintheter]

Top Gear style! Gotta Love it! I'm so jealous. And I share your reasoning completely :thumbs:

Cheers Bud, having driven the Green hell for tje better part of a decade, I know its not all about speed, so this should be fun, and that's what is all about!

---

[video=youtube]

Getting excited now, so looking at some old footage

 

[moranor@axis]

hope you document the whole process

 

[splintheter]

Oh we will :at:

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[RAArmstrong]

This is going to be epic! raise:raise:

Hopefully it doesnt take as long to see pics of this as it is with your E39 :rollsmile:

 

[splintheter]

This is going to be epic! raise:raise:

Hopefully it doesnt take as long to see pics of this as it is with your E39 :rollsmile:

Sorry buddy, waiting for my mate to take the photos, need to do this e39 justice, so happy with her :at:

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[RAArmstrong]

Just teasing :rollsmile:

 

[applehero]

Love the idea! Good luck, and keep us up to date! :=):

 

[Philip Foglar]

You lucky duck! Every petrol head has to go to the Ring at least once in their lifetime! raise:

I still have to make this happen for myself!

Those Ford Puma's were pretty cool little cars back then, and yes, based on the old Fiesta chassis which was very good even back then! :thumbs:

 

[Jerez]

I have to ask ,I'm assuming that you're driving to Germany .
Are you getting the car insured in the UK and whose covering the insurance for your track day?

I know ,,,, details details- but it's these detàils which could make or break what sounds to be a great adventure.

 

[splintheter]

Car is already in my business name and then on my business insurance.

We are not doing a track day at the ring, we are doing Touristenfhart or tourist sessions. during these sessions ( which 99 percent of people experience the ring) the ring is classed as a normal German toll road.

That said UK insurance companies are now writing in a clause to exclude the ring. Of course the Germans are all covered by normal insurance.

Basically when you drive the ring, drive with the mentality that you are not insured. The cost concern is never for the car but for the 3rd party expenses, they bill you for loss of income If you cause a closure, for every piece of enco you damage etc.

Now that the serious stuff is out the way, let's have some fun

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[Rayzor]

You lucky bugger, all the best will be waiting for those videos raise:

 

[Twinz]

Really awesome. raise:

Have a fantastic time on the green hell. Vids & pix galore please. :joy:

 

[Auditor]

Excellent choice of car; it was the Topgear car of the year in 1997.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3QuH7z1Z1o

 

[zabbo]

Ant you truly are a lucky bugger raise:

Perhaps next year you could organise a Fanatics group event to the ring - you can be our tour leader :rollsmile:

 

[splintheter]

This I know [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES] cheers guys

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[Philip Foglar]

Did we say we want pics and vids, oh, of course we did! :rollsmile: :thumbs:

Enjoy!!! :joy:

 

[splintheter]

Did we say we want pics and vids, oh, of course we did! :rollsmile: :thumbs:

Enjoy!!! :joy:

No nobody had mentioned it
Go pro packed

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[splintheter]

Temptation got the better of me today, and I have made an offer on the car below, with the view to taking it to the ring Also..

I have issues!!

2003 BMW 330Ci Clubsport (I think the clubsport was UK Only, had a LSD and few other styling bits and bobs)