Well what a epic few days , just as last year the weather was awesome so I sweated a bit π
I have never really had a go at the whole Nurburgring experience, I have always assumed that the Noble would not enjoy the track !
The ride down from the UK was good fun as normal , the new engine setup is a massive improvement over last year , so much more usable power , cruising speeds on the Autobahn were much higher this year , the whole car felt much more comfy at higher speeds . Fuel economy was much better also .
Arriving at the ring Sunday morning and Iβm pretty nervous , having only driven the Ring 10 years ago I had no idea what direction or what the track would hold for us . The place is rammed with every Porsche GT3 RS you can imagine along with more M2-3-4-5βs than you can shake a stick at π
The sun is out and things are heating up so we decide to head out , buy a ring card , put a couple of laps on it and we are ready to go .
Up to the barrier and the first problem is Iβm so low down I cannot reach the sensor with my ring card πππ
Thankfully there is a very nice German man who swipes my card for us so away we go .
Low boost and just drive to what I can see , firstly there is shed loads of grip so the Noble is turning in really well, running the low downforce rear wing I was a bit concerned about the rear end grip , need not have worried the rear Tofeo Rβs are working lovely so off we head for a lap .
Firstly no I did not time any laps , it was just a case of having fun , on my first lap the passing traffic was quite heavy but acting waiting an hour I managed to get out for a semi clear lap . Truth is I bloody loved it and the car loved it too , so many quick left-right turns , yes itβs a bit bumpy but the car coped with that very well .
Second lap felt really good and I did remember a few sections so we were able to push on a bit !
Very odd going on track in shorts and a T shirt !
Back in the pits the group decides thatβs enough for the day and heads off to a viewing point to watch .
Me I decide to park up in the pits and watch the cars going out on circuit and coming back .
I managed to park in a spot thatβs in the shade and right next to a brand new Matt black GT3 RS .
Looking at them sat together side by side the GT3 looks enormous compared to the Noble, this particular car is absolutely mint , not a fly splat to be seen , my 20 year old Noble is covered in fly splats , Tyre rubber , dust and all sorts of curse word yet somehow seems to over shadow the GT3 . People come over and peer inside (I have left the windows open ) lots of photos , and people looking ! The GT3 almost looks a bit sad π.
I wonder who would bring a stunning GT3 RS to the ring and not do a lap when I spot a guy walking over , he is all in black , jeans and a designer polo shirt with some patent leather shoes and the compulsory dark shades , itβs a odd outfit for such a hot day ! Sure enough he heads over to the GT3 and brushes a bit of dust of it , I see him peer over to the Noble and he smirks a bit , I feel my blood pressure creep up a bit , Fukien hope I bump into him on the road or track !
Suddenly he turns and looks at a very pretty tall young lady and I realise he is not on his own , she has on some sparco trainers and some cutof denim shorts and a ring t shirt tied around he middle . She is stunning !
Much to his annoyance she runs over to the Noble and starts taking photos and peering inside , quite clearly she is the petrol head ! I cannot hear what she is saying but clearly she wants him to take a photo of her with the Noble , itβs the colour , ladies love the colour !
He gathers he up and indicates he want to go , he definitely looks curse word π
My blood pressure returns to normal .
Today we left the ring at 5 in the morning, the weather is lovely and itβs cool so I get my toe down as we head through the mountains , the roads are dead so we are running at a pretty high pace , sweeping around the mountains on the very smooth tarmac we both seem to be enjoying ourselves , all to quickly we pick up the Autobahn so we settle into a 120mph cruise until we cross into Belgium where our pace reduces to a more normal speed .
Roll on next year π