Evening Off
Around The Nordschleife

The DSC Editor isn’t naturally grumpy – he’s had to practice very hard indeed to reach the standard of grumpiness that he commonly displays.

And he had plenty of practice post-qualifying yesterday evening as he attempted to follow up on the session with some driver insight. “I can’t find anyone at all,” he (allegedly) said after touring the barren wasteland of the paddock (actually he did find quite a few drivers, but where were the rest..?).

That was no surprise to the Deputy Editor who was down at the entrance to the Nordschleife, along with around half of the grid for the now traditional Saturday evening hoon around the old circuit in a variety of Hertz’ and Avis’ finest!

DSC was there with Embassy Racing, for a story that will appear here in the coming days, but we were in very good company as a trail of Le Mans Series talent showed up.

Allan Simonsen was first to show, taking his young niece for a drive in the country – Simonsen style!

Alex Caffi was next up in a VW Eos, the packed car park full of bikers, stripped out Golfs and BMWs and the odd supercar here and there, apparently unaware of the F1 driver in their midst.

Antonio Garcia (below) was next to show in a Volvo Estate, with Marc Lieb just behind in an Opel Vectra estate, the quick Porsche man providing a chauffeur service for Guido Quirmbach from Projectlemans.

A VW minibus then joined the queue with a grinning Bob Berridge at the wheel (and a perhaps more nervous Gareth Evans sitting in the rear). Chad Peninsula’s John Hartshorne tucked in behind the Chamberlain-Synergy boys.

Next up was a short convoy of Pilbeam people, Pierre Bruneau piloting a Range Rover with Simon Pullan passengering in a 407 Coupe behind.

Vincent Vosse and Luc Alphand were ready for any off road moments in and Audi Q7 as dsc’s ride arrived, a spotless BMW CSL ‘Batmobile’ with Neil Cunningham at the wheel.

This was not an occasion for maximum attack, but rather a time to enjoy this wonderful piece of period automotive art in the environment it was built and homologated for. Cunningham was playing to the considerable crowds though and there was plenty of sideways, tyre squealing action as the car swept through the famous twists and turns of this awesome circuit.

Well over the ton was seen on the BMW’s speedo before it was time for the car’s owner to take a turn: Jonathan France had dreamed of this moment and he absolutely loved the experience.

Back in the holding area and there was new Le Mans Series blood to snap in the act, Martin Short aboard the Rollcentre team bus, Johnny Mowlem in, of all things, a Toyota Yaris (below - looking rather coy...) and Emmanuel Collard completing a lap in a very hot smelling Porsche, with Xavier Pompidou in the passenger seat.

Next Michael Vergers pulled up: “You don’t want to be snapping these flash motors, you should be looking for the quick guys in the ordinary stuff!” See below Michael! The current road car lap record holder was keen to remind us of that fact (I’ve got the video!) Juan Barazi was showing signs from the rear seat of having enjoyed the Vergers attacking style!

Peter Kox was next up, “It’s a diesel!” was his excuse as he trotted over to get a ticket – that would have held no truck with the next illustrious visitor as Peugeot Sport Director Michel Barge (below) emerged from the ticket office with the required document, stepping into a very quick looking Peugeot 407SW diesel (of course - their barge below M. Barge), with Stephane Sarrazin at the wheel. Serge Saulnier followed immediately behind (for a corner or so at least) in another identical car.

Finally the Oreca boys, Soheil Ayari and Stephane Ortelli, were off into the Green Hell in a pair of estate cars: it was difficult to know whether to feel envy or pity for their passengers!

What a place, and how good it is to see the racing heroes of today so eager to sample the best of the remaining tracks of yesteryear.