Old Timer GP

[Peter Mallett]

Germany's Classic Festival. Includes Masters grids, HGPCA and Jaguar Classic Challenge.

[Robert Farrell]

We will be taking part for the first time.
I see there is a test day on Thurs 11th August.
What are the usual paddock arrangements?
Will they let us in on the Wednesday?
What the paddock facilities Hook-ups etc?
Will they throw us out on the Sunday or let us stay until Monday?
All tips, help and advice appreciated

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Robert Farrell

We will be taking part for the first time.
I see there is a test day on Thurs 11th August.
What are the usual paddock arrangements?
Will they let us in on the Wednesday?
What the paddock facilities Hook-ups etc?
Will they throw us out on the Sunday or let us stay until Monday?
All tips, help and advice appreciated

Robert, I've moved your post to the (already created) thread on the calendar, so we don't finish up with two for the meeting!

I can answer some of your questions from previous visits-

Paddock access previously has been no problem on Wednesday. In fact getting in early is sensible! You go to the 'Welcome centre' on the road leading to the circuit to get passes, then go to the entrance gate.

The main paddock is usually completely taken over by paying 'guests' such as manufacturers with their displays, and big marquees for the grids not in garages.

Service vehicles like trucks and vans are shoved in an area off the main paddock called 'the Helicopter park' or something like that... There is hook up and water round round the perimeter, but some doubling up with neighbours likely. Loos and showers are fairly close. Motor homes are supposed to be in another 'annex' to the main paddock, but some will finish up jammed in with the trucks! Again, believe there is hook up in the other parking area.

If you go into the 'Helicopter' park early, it means you will be late out, as it will finish up crammed. We've lived with it, but always left on the Sunday. No idea if you can stop over until Monday.

Hope that helps, but there are others on here that may be able to add.....

[terence]

Hi Robert,just to add to Mikes post.Paddock is very well wired in so hooking up is no problem.
Be prepared for a very busy weekend though as it is one of the best weekends on the historic calender.
I assume you have driven here before?(IE,you know where not to brake)

[Robert Farrell]

Any thoughts on best route for trucks from Calais.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Robert Farrell

Any thoughts on best route for trucks from Calais.

For me it's Brussels, head to Aachen / Cologne, then before the latter turn south and approach Nurburgring from the North. I tried going via Liege / Spa and it was slow.

Having said that, Terence is the man with local knowledge, as long as he remembers you have a truck and not a GT3RS.....

[terence]

We always used to bring the truck of at Prum Mike.Gerostein Dockweiler Kelberg.The road is a lot better now than then.(Far better suited for the Porsche

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by terence

We always used to bring the truck of at Prum Mike.Gerostein Dockweiler Kelberg.The road is a lot better now than then.(Far better suited for the Porsche

So what you're saying is E42 past Spa, which becomes the 60 after the border, then east via Gerolstein, Dockweiler and Kelberg.

As I've not used that route I'm not going to say if good for trucks or not! All I know is that the hills in Spa area are not HGV friendly.....

[terence]

In comparison Mike its reasonably flat.Obviously there is still the long drag going up towards Spa (1st gear in a 7.5ton TK) but after that theres not much to talk about.

[Robert Farrell]

Should be no problem for our Albion Chieftain then!

[barnettracing]

Am I being really dim or is there no Marathon race on the Nordschleife this year? It's normally held on the Friday, isn't it? I can't seem to find it on the Oldtimer website/timetable/entry form.

It'd be a shame if its not running as it was a race I was looking to do with the MGB when it's finally done this summer.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

Am I being really dim or is there no Marathon race on the Nordschleife this year? It's normally held on the Friday, isn't it? I can't seem to find it on the Oldtimer website/timetable/entry form.

It'd be a shame if its not running as it was a race I was looking to do with the MGB when it's finally done this summer.

Mmm, not seen that. I'll do some searching later, and see if can find out. It was not well subscribed last year, so maybe.....

[FISCracer]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

Am I being really dim or is there no Marathon race on the Nordschleife this year? It's normally held on the Friday, isn't it? I can't seem to find it on the Oldtimer website/timetable/entry form.

It'd be a shame if its not running as it was a race I was looking to do with the MGB when it's finally done this summer.

Quite right I am afraid

They sent a letter out a couple of weeks ago saying it is cancelled due to poor entries for the last couple of years. A number of us emailed them in support in the hope it is not off for good

[barnettracing]

What a shame. Without wishing to hijack this thread, are there any other historic races on the Nordschleife? There's the Historic Trophy meeting in June, isn't there? The website is all in German (including all the forms) so its a bit difficult for me to make out.

[Wriggley Monkey]

Have a look here at the Dunlop Langstreken cup http://hre-race.de/

I have raced with them in the past and they offer good racing.

[terence]

And you wont have a Marcos to contend with.

[barnettracing]

Originally Posted by Wriggley Monkey

Have a look here at the Dunlop Langstreken cup http://hre-race.de/

I have raced with them in the past and they offer good racing.

Thanks for that, Wriggley. Don't think the car will be ready in time for the Historic Trophy meeting, but it would definitely be possible for the Westfalen (if it's not snowing at the 'Ring by October!)

I agree that it would be a shame if the Marathon is cancelled for good, especially as it's the only race on the Nordschleife exclusively for pre-66, isn't it?

Do you have to have any specific licence to race on the North Loop (as you do for modern stuff like VLN) or is a Nat A/Int C okay for historics?

[Mike Bell]

Not that's of any relevance now that the event isn't happening (this year), but previously there has been a sub-race within The Marathon for cars up to end of 1976. It used to be shorter time, but think last year was same 4hrs as the Pre 66 cars raced? I was hoping to attempt it at some point in my Gp1 RS2000, but obviously not this year, now......

[terence]

Originally Posted by barnettracing

Thanks for that, Wriggley. Don't think the car will be ready in time for the Historic Trophy meeting, but it would definitely be possible for the Westfalen (if it's not snowing at the 'Ring by October!)

I agree that it would be a shame if the Marathon is cancelled for good, especially as it's the only race on the Nordschleife exclusively for pre-66, isn't it?

Do you have to have any specific licence to race on the North Loop (as you do for modern stuff like VLN) or is a Nat A/Int C okay for historics?

Internation C is perfect,nothing higher is required.There is an albeit slim chance we will see the 300k reinstated.Time enough to see if the Capri Ducktail is "worth ten bhp" down Dottingham Hohe.

[skentellytubby]

Bit late on the uptake here, but I understand you now need a Permit B to race on the Nordschleife.

Need a declaration of three finishes in three years and Bob's your uncle.

http://fhr-race.de/files/r2/ERKL%C3%...0Stufe%20C.pdf

[Mike Bell]

Trucks are on the way, it appears. Apart from Delta I don't know of any tenthers going. Feel free to prove me wrong....

[delta]

Just got back, Had a brilliant time myself as lots of cars to drive. Missed meeting up with our Terry as was just too busy running five cars.We lost the Britannia FJ as the engine was smoking too much and decided not to risk the second race.
The paddock was empty of racing cars but full now of hospitality and corporate tents. Have to say everyone was very nice this year. High light was watching Simon Hadfield sprinting across the track and screeching away in the Aston Martin. My co driver in Lola Mk 1 who must of been the biggest driver there got left at the start but did pass a couple of cars on the grass.
We had the usual Friday morning fog and racing was delayed but give the organizers credit they soon got back on track with time table.
Saturday and Sunday nice days and some good racing. I had always wanted to do the Saturday night race and was chuffed to get to drive the lovely MK1 Lola.
Spent an extra night in Folkstone last night as lost water hose on truck.Easy fix and now back at work.

[terence]

Glad all sorted Iain,was a pity our work loads crossed each other though,always next time though.Will soon have to get over to collect our remaing bits n pieces from the storage so looking for a medium sized truck to hire.