As my new car is still not ready, I had to take my commuter hack Mondeo to the ring hopeing that it will get there without breaking down.

I arrived at the ring around Saturday lunchtime, and checked into the hotel. For this trip I had chosen the 4* Dorint hotel. I had also decided to book the superior room which overlooked the main GP circuit straight.

Saturday was very hot and sunny. I was soon joined by Carsten, we met at the Padock bar as the ring was not open yet. The ring eventually opened at 18:30 but the track was busy so I decided not to go out on track.

Sunday was again hot and the ring eventually opened at 11.30, the carpark was very busy but I went to buy a 6 lap ticket from the office. After Carsten arrived we decided it was time, we went over to the mondeo ring ticket in hand and went through the start barrier. Initial impressions were ok, considering the mondeo has an automatic gearbox and 142K miles on the clock, but that initial impression didnt last long. After just a few corners the brakes decided they werent happy and let off a horrid smell (discs front/drums rear) and the gearbox just wouldnt select the right gear. I managed to get to the giddy heights of 100MPH on the fast bits of the track but as soon as an uphill was involved it was hopeless. Even so we managed to catch and pass one car. So the mondeo was retired from ring laps after doing just one. We then jumped into Carstens Octy TDi combi and went out. The octy is so much better, the torque from the diesel engine felt really good and I was quiet surprised, the only problem we had was the tyres started overheating. Still they were made in China and came with the wheels. We did another lap later shortly before the track closed for the day.

I'll post some pics later.

I have just added a video clip taken from within the octy tdi aproaching and through Karousell. You might want to save the file before viewing (right click, save target as)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jotero/galleries/MOV01146.MPG

What did the Mondy do a lap in? OH, and the octy too of course.

What did the Mondy do a lap in? OH, and the octy too of course.

I didnt time the laps, but one of my cameras has some pics on. I'll check the date/time stamps and see what they are.

glad you had a good time.

i'm going over for the weekend of the 5th-8th August,it will be busy but as its my 1st time i'm not to bothered.

are you heading over for that weekend aswell?

or is your next trip the Briskoda one?

what hotel are we going to try and stay in for that weekend and what tunnel crossings are we taking?

I have just added a video clip taken from within the octy tdi aproaching and through Karousell. You might want to save the file before viewing (right click' date=' save target as)

[url']http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jotero/galleries/MOV01146.MPG[/url]

Interesting sound track :eek: :eek: :eek:

Care to explain the grunting and groaning noises

Cant explain the soundtrack ending at all. I guess the concerntration of trying to hold a tiny digital stills camera reasonably still at arms length whilst trying not to laugh.

Just checked the pics on the other camera and my parents only managed to take a picture of the mondeo leaving the circuit, you can just make out Carsten in the passenger seat.

Sounds like a reasonable trip - i like the M5 in the background of that pic ! Wheels look massive.

i like the M5 in the background of that pic ! Wheels look massive.

Oh yes the Ring Taxi, very impressive car and with Sabine driving seems to handle well. A couple more pics.

Oh yes the Ring Taxi, very impressive car and with Sabine driving seems to handle well. A couple more pics.

Like bees round a honey pot ...well,it is a nice car

How much does it cost to get taken round in that?

Hey Manny ... good to see, you

How much does it cost to get taken round in that?

Around 100 Euros... and long time to wait for it ... You

Carsten,or anyone come to think of it going to be there on the weekend of 5th-8th August?

Hows the Boxster Mannyo?

Carsten,or anyone come to think of it going to be there on the weekend of 5th-8th August?

Let me take a look on the work schedule .. Will know it tommorrow

I'll be there,can't wait!!!!

Carsten,or anyone come to think of it going to be there on the weekend of 5th-8th August?

I