Well, time for a pretty major update! I'm back from the Ring with a real mixed bag of results and emotions.
Where do I start?
Two days before I was due to leave I made a spontaneous trip out in the Type-R, which decided to **** it's auxillary belt idler!
Bearings failed
This really spooked me. And had me frantically putting together a spares package before we left!
Here I am all packed up and ready to go. Our convoy consisted of my Type-R, a Golf V6 4-motion, a 888 Astra, an Astra 2.2, a 3.0 V6 Cavalier and a 1.2 Corsa!
Here's some pics taken on a hike around the track...
I then went out on the Thursday evening session
The car was going really well, my fastest full lap was a 8min 31 with roadworks, a yellow flag and traffic, which beats my outright and FWD lap records! I was on course for around an 8min 10 according to my sector times. Then this happened...
On one of the fastest sections of the track I lost control at the exit of a bend at 108mph, spun and hit the barrier.
After the Nurburgring track officials had come down to inspect the damage, I was taken back to the office and billed for the damage. They allege 40 metres of armco damage, 6 posts and various fees for staff attendance. 3600 euros.
The car was taken to the local recovery depot "Bongard" at Adenau
I wasn't the only casualty it seems...
It was here I first saw the side of the car, panel damage mainly
Back at my hotel we put it into our garage and began a stripdown
Damage that we could see initially
- Wishbone buckled
- Wheel alignment seriously out
- Wing creased
- Headlight
Cosmetic damage to
- Wheels
- Wheel studs
- Rear quarters
- Bumpers
Managed to bodge the wishbone a little straighter (thanks to Phillip @ Rent4Ring) and crab it all the way back to England
Dunno where to go from here. Yes I'm fully aware it's probably mechanically an easy fix - but I've lost a lot of love for it. Not sure what to do next. That was all 2 weeks ago and I haven't even moved the car from where I ditched it.