Sunday 22nd April 2007

07:00 am and it was time to get up, The sun was shining and heads were pounding, time for breakfast and then a short drive to the Nordschleife. The weather again was perfect as was the array of cars in the car park (and not just the Rabbit runners!). Some (mainly Edd in the Porsche 997 C4S cab) were very keen to get onto the circuit and strut their stuff. Edd was on a charge and amazingly committed, I never thought a human being could smile so much!

The Ring is an amazing place to visit and if you think you can drive quick this is the place to make you think again, some people (and we're talking about Edd!) make you feel like you have got your handbrake on!

Mike drove the limping Ferrari 430 down to the circuit and did a slow lap, but when he returned to the car park the rear quarter of the car with the missing pipe was worryingly hot. A very nice chap at the circuit (we didn’t know him and I think he was called John) spent the best part of two hours installing a heat resistant material thus ensuring the rear of the car would not burst into flames. Mike retired from the event and nursed the Ferrari home safely and in one piece, so unfinished business for Mike and thank you once again to the kind man at the ring.

Howard and Anya went out in the Porsche Cayenne S and did a great job in displaying that this two tonne 4x4 is built by Porsche. For a big bit of kit this was quick, as was Stuart and Matt’s BMW X5 4.6is. I caught a couple of people almost saying it under there breath (I think because it worried them in their little two seater sports cars), “watch out for the X5 its quick”!

For those that wanted a lap of the circuit (as a passenger) in a race prepared Caterham, this went down really well and a big thank you to Keith for organising this.

We also booked as many M5 Taxi’s as were available, which proved to be an amazing experience. However David backed out at the last minute, probably due to having flashbacks of the vomit induced karting the previous day.

Gids and I took the AMV8 around the ring, the car felt a bit soft and we were thrashed by everyone except Mike’s poorly Ferrari 430, maybe its not the car, maybe it's me!!

Seeing the fun everyone was having we decided to scrap the 'ring pairings' event. This was well received by all except Edd as he knew nobody was mad enough to beat him. To see just how quick Edd was check out the film, plus the extra section on the DVD!

So great fun was had by all and almost without any incidents! 'Fishtail Tony' had a kissing session with a bit of Arnco, but besides that and the one or two faults that had developed on Joachim and Lee's Aston Martin Vanquish, we left the ring in high-spirits and cars pretty much intact!

We headed back to the hotel for a spot of lunch on the terrace right on the start finish straight of the GP circuit and watched the start of a GT race. Halfway through lunch the Rabbit bolted and at around 1pm I let the pack go.

Once we had waded our way through thousands and thousands of motorbikes the traffic disappeared and we were off driving on some amazing roads. It became apparent that about three different routes were being taken. But which would prove to be the quickest?!

Gids and I were in a great convoy, when suddenly Darryl in the Audi RS4 pulled a slick manoeuvre and dumped us, along with Elliot and Ian in the Red Audi RS6, in Luxemburg. As we U turned and tried to navigate our way back to the main road, we found ourselves side by side at a set of lights, time for another drag race and for the Aston Martin to redeem itself! Amber, Green and we were off! By the time we got to 70 mph the RS6 was a car length ahead and as Elliot said “how rude is it that a four door saloon just kicked your ass”! So the AMV8 is now officially for sale!

Calls were coming in from many saying “we are 18 miles away” “we are 22 miles away” and so on and it became apparent many cars were all over the Rabbit. We received many calls all along the lines of “how far away are you and were is the Rabbit” but whenever we received a call or text from Bobby and Mike in the gorgeous sounding and looking Aston Martin DB7 GT, the message was always about stopping for a coffee or food!

It was also became apparent that Pete’s lovely black Porsche Carrera 2S cab was much quicker with his co driver Dan at the wheel!

We also received a call from Matt and James in the bone shaker, I mean Lotus (Loads Of Trouble Usually Serious)! It seems after a battle with the Mercedes Mclaren SLR (not a good idea), the Lotus was now a bit sick and using more oil than petrol!

So it was a nice drive through Chantilly, most of us in small convoys and then a final blast down the impressive drive of the Chateaux. This leg was a close-run thing but won well by Adam and Matt in the Audi RS6.

Howard and Paul had spent all day in the TVR T350 with the targa panels out. With usual 'excellent' TVR air conditioning and a temperature of 75-80 degrees the boys arrived sweaty to say the least! All Paul said to me on his arrival was “we should have brought the Aston”! Joachim in the Vanquish decided that a few doughnuts in the car park might sort out the electric faults, but alas he was wrong!

With thirst quenched by several beers everyone had a quick change before dinner.

After dinner it was time for the awards. This year we were incredibly proud to have Bobby Davro doing the honours of presenting and also entertaining us immensely with his stand up routine. This was followed by a couple of sing-a-longs, thanks for your help on backing vocals girls!

That evening saw the extensive exchange of stories, what was and what might have been, maybe next year guys!

And the winners were;

Joint 1st

John and John Bentley GT Mulliner

Adam and Matt Audi RS6

Joint 3rd

Tim and Ian Mclaren SLR

Howard and Paul TVR T350

The Snail Award went to Bobby and Michael DB7 GT

So finishing the story on the history bit, Greg if you want to do well next year leave the Ronart at home and Brett maybe next year will be your time, but what car will you be in or will the Porsche GT3 be the first car to make two events?!

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