ED Memories: August 8, 2023
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Today is our last day at the Nordschleife but we will make the most of it!First things first in the morning, it's time to check out the Nurburgring museum. It's in the main complex right next to the Formula One GP track and it is very good - lots to take in. I'd venture to say it is better than the Porsche museum; not as big for sure, but the stories in it speak to me a little more. And maybe because it's not only about cars but also about people.
There is an extremely moving video tribute and installation for Sabine Schmitz, "The Queen of the 'Ring". Once again, I find myself getting choked up. Lots of emotions near to the surface on this trip!
The whole complex is a huge facility geared around the Grand Prix, complete with car dealerships even - makes Montreal look decidedly second rate (tho to be fair, the Montreal racetrack is way better!). Ironic, as this massive facility is currently not used for Formula One. The last F1 race there was in 2024, and although there are rumours of it coming back in alternating years, there is nothing firm in place right now.Of course it is packed for the big touring car race, the famous Nurburgring 24 hour which combines both the GP track and the Nordschleife. I would love to check out that race one day.
After taking a few photos of us doing drive-bys in front of the big Nurburgring sign, we head back to the flat for lunch and to prep for the lapping session. A few more credits are purchased and we are ready for our final four laps.The weather is perfect, cool, and overcast, but not wet. I will get to lap with the top down again. I wish Calabogie would let me do it as it is way more engaging! I see that the 'Ring photographers are back out, so I will be able to purchase some pretty fancy photos of myself on the Nordschleife in the Boxster!I have my scanning sorted out on my phone so the QR code for my laps just works and this time I don't hold up the queue. Again, I work up to it slowly, whereas Andrew is just gone. I don't mind though, as I am happy, just feeling the car out around this truly epic track.
The grip levels are massive today, the Michelins working properly and I'm feeling nothing untoward. I press on a little bit enjoying it more and more. The car just comes alive in this environment. The steering is just so precise and you can really lean on the tires as you accelerate out of corners. The gearbox is just a delight to use and the pedals are perfect.
Again, just like the first time back in 2018, probably the most impressive thing about the track are the elevation changes. They truly are hard to believe, and combined with the myriad different types and lengths of corners, you can see why the manufacturers use this as a real test track for car design, and especially for suspension tuning.
We actually only see one incident across both our sessions, and that was a car skidded into the wall at Swedenkreutz, which is one of the fastest corners on the track. Driver and passenger are safe and sound out of the car and on the other side of the barrier when I crawl past under the yellow flags. The car looks pretty cracked up. Another reminder of just how careful you need to be around here.I continue my laps, relishing in the power and poise of this machine. It's unflappable. I'm not pushing hard - am I over-cautious? Probably. But I'm not really worrying about it at all, I'm just enjoying the moment. There's no understeer or oversteer, it's just neutral. Then again, I'm probably not pushing hard enough to approach those conditions, as Andrew has commented that he has noticed a touch of understeer at the limit. Maybe I had my fill of the limits of traction on day one?
No matter. Unable to lap around with him, I just enjoy myself. The brakes are powerful, the engine is sublime, and I'm grinning from ear to ear. Mind you, you really do have to keep an eye on your mirrors, though, as the first rule of the Nurburgring is fully evident. Rule #1: you are NOT fast. Cars blast past me at what feels like insane speeds compared to how fast I'm going, and I'm not hanging around! It's just total trust and confidence in your tires, the grip, and the machine underneath you. I can feel myself getting faster and faster, but still nowhere near the limit, and that's just fine by me. It's a hoot.We finish up our session and gawk at the machinery in the parking lot at the Devil's Diner. The two red 718s also draw a few glances which gives one a nice feeling. They are striking.
On the way back to the flat, dusk is setting in so we set up a GoPro on the front of my car to catch the very cool adaptive headlights in action. As you turn the wheel, the headlights swivel to illuminate more of the inside of the turn. It just works so well.
Time now for a celebratory radler and a plate of delicious meatball pasta and we are set for the evening. Next up is packing everything away properly ready to load into the cars. We are leaving at 4 am (!) so we want to be ready!!
By the time I get everything packed, it's 11:00 so I grab a shower and hit the sack. Andrew is still packing for another hour, but I put my earplugs in and ignore his narration (I've learned he mumbles to himself and one should take no notice).
After being bummed out on that first day at the track, the remaining two days have been just excellent. I'm glad that the weather cooperated and I was able to snap out of my funk and enjoy the Boxster on these hallowed grounds, even as I know I could've used a couple more days and many more laps to really get after the capabilities of this amazing machine.
~ Luke
p.s. You can read the full, no-holds-barred accounting of this day at gtschro nicles.com.
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