NEWS: Nurburging Race Rental & Track Day Tuition

Maybe you're a bit handy on a track day, think you know your way around the Green Hell, or have even tried a spot of domestic circuit racing?
But have you considered taking it to the next level – racing the infamous Nurburgring GP and Nordschleife, in the outstanding VLN Endurance Racing series (where many of the 24-Hr cars go bumper-to-bumper), or the equally fun, but slightly less hardcore RCN Circuit Challenge series?
If you've not considered it… you should put it on your bucket list. Not much comes close after you've been there, done that… and it need not cost the Earth, if you know the right people, as we do.
But where to start?
Take your own car out there, assemble a team, learn the ropes, jump the race licensing hoops, spend an age setting your car up with no local knowledge, cross your fingers and get racing? Well, you could do that…
Or...
You could tap into a lifetime of experience with our Green Hell know-how pals Jacos Paddock Motorsport and let them take the strain for you – provide you a perfectly set-up, reliable, rapid BMW race car with all the team support you could ask for and help you cut the red tape to get out a race at the Ring, hassle-free.
Super-friendly 'flying Dutchman' Jaco Velders and his crew have a fleet of really amazing BMW race cars – not the newest or the most flash, but with a perfect Nurburgring set-up, making them class winners in both RCN and VLN. And, budget, skill level and bravery depending, there's a BMW 325i E36 class V4 (for RCN), two BMW M3 E46 class V6 (one GT3 spec) and used two BMW 325i E36 V4 (for the VLN), to pick from… all of which are superbly neutral, balanced and fast race cars.
Jaco's Paddock run races all year at the Ring and also at Zandvoort in Belgium (the 12-Hr) and have raced at the Dubai 24-Hr and in the Nurburgring 24-Hr as well as decades in the RCN and VLN – so have plenty of know-how and experience. And their cars are built to last in these tough championships, which really test your driving skills (and the car).
Jaco's Paddock also offer track day and racing tuition, with individual personal training or in small groups of maximum four vehicles. Jaco says: "No matter what level of experience the participants have, using various techniques from our instructors in the car to following the instructor in convoy with in car communications – we will show you the right wet and dry racing line, the braking points, entry speeds, turning points etc. - everything you need to be quick here at the Green Hell, Spa-Francorchamps or Zandvoort.
"As part of the tuition, we offer a DVD and Power Point presentation and a track walk if possible. And, in addition, we offer preparation to obtain a German “A” race license to enable you to participate
in national races. We're a one-stop-shop for Ring racing!"
The Jaco's Paddock tuition packages include:

• Race car rental
• Qualified, skills racing driver instructors available for individual tuition or groups
• Both radio and intercom communications available
• Mechanical facilities available during the course for service, repairs and tyre replacement etc.
• Hotel, airport transfers & assistance with accommodation etc.
• A great time!

If you want to make your year and have some memories to pass on to the wide-eyed grandkids, why not race or get some tuition with Jaco's Paddock this year? We HIGHLY recommend it here at Road HQ. 

Find out more & contact Jaco directly for prices and information via Facebook.

NEWS: Kumho-shod Audi R8 LMS Ultra Nürburgring VLN Win

The popular German Busch twins drove their Audi R8 LMS Ultra to an emphatic one minute victory in last Saturday’s (October 12) VLN round on the Nürburgring’s tortuous Nordschleife circuit – with the help of Kumho rubber.
Already top finishers in 2013 and a crowd and competitor favourite at the Green Hell, Dennis and Marc Busch had seemed certain of a second place last time out, when they ran out of fuel on the very last lap of the race!
But there were no such problems this time. They started third on the grid for the four-hour VLN mini-endurance race and were first past the chequered flag by one clear minute – well clear of the pursuing Porsche 911 GT3 R and BMW Z4 GT3, and the other 112 cars that entered the eighth and penultimate in this year’s superb VLN championship.
The distinctive R8 carries the ‘Twin Busch’ livery of the brother’s successful garage equipment business and has been run on Kumho tyres throughout 2013, with increasingly rewarding results.
Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager, Steve Thompson said: “This is a fantastic result both for the team and Kumho. The Busch twins have been getting more and more out of their Audi and our tyres as the season has progressed and thoroughly deserve this win. And, while Kumho has enjoyed plenty of class victories in VLN courtesy of Peugeot and the RCZ, this is our first outright triumph in this ever popular and exciting series. We wish the brothers every success in the final round on October 26.”
For further information on Kumho tyres for track, rally stage and the road, log onto www.kumhotyre.co.uk.
And for more on the VLN, see here.

NEWS: Discounted BMW 325i Racing Opportunity: VLN Nürburgring October 27-28th

How do you fancy racing at the best circuit in the world – Nürburgring Nordschelife? In one of the best race series in the world – VLN? With one of the most experienced teams out there – Jaco's Paddock? In one of the most perfectly balanced, expertly-prepared race cars – a BMW E90 325i (pictured)?
Thought so...! Well, Road Magazine can help you!

We've teamed up with Jaco's Paddock to offer you ONE seat in the superbly set-up, uber-reliable and very rapid BMW E90 325i, racing in class V4 of the VLN on October 27-28th, in less than one month!

You will drive with two other drivers and get two practice lap sessions on October 27th, before you do two laps of qualifying on October 28th – trying to get the best lap time possible – and then it's race time, on the most iconic "Green Hell" circuit, with some of Europe's best race cars, drivers and famous faces, like fellow Road friend, Sabine Schmitz. Tempted? You should be!

This golden drive opportunity is being offered at unreal rates and includes one third of the entire four hour race – so over one hour 20m full-on race time – all the fuel, tyres, event support, hospitality, insurance (600 Euro excess) and everything you need.
All you need to do is arrive, drive and have the time of your life.

NB: Obviously, you also need to be compliant with race licence regulations, which you can read here.

If you are interested, please email proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk ASAP.

Only one slot is available – at a HUGE discount. So, get involved and make yourself some real magic memories...

NEWS: Road Magazine N24 Special Is Printed!!!

Massive thanks to our pals and cordial N24 hosts, Falken Tyres, who have just printed Road Magazine for the first time since its birth in 2008. And it looks fantastic! Falken were so pleased with the expert coverage and cutting edge design we did in our N24 special, they contacted us to get it printed to distribute at this weekend's VLN race – the first since their superb and best ever N24 result of P20, as covered in the latest N24 special of Road which you can read FREE here.
If you're lucky enough to be at the VLN's Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy this weekend, go check out Team Falken's amazing GT3 R and pick up a FREE printed copy of Road Magazine. Happy days!
See more Falken images on our Facebook page.

NEWS: Pictures & Report of VLN Round 1

See a load of great images from our man at the Ring, Jochen of Frozenspeed of the first 2013 VLN race  from last weekend – including the unveiling of Peugeot's 208 GTi T16 racer (pictured), the world premiere of the Aston Rapide S with Hydrogen technology (with AM boss, Dr Ulrich Bez at the helm), a debut for the Hyundai Veloce, not to mention our good pal, Sabine Schmitz's new Porsche 911 GT3 R getting on pole! Go Sabine!
It was a packed grid, with some 216 cars entering the race, which was won by the white Schubert (factory entry) BMW Z4 #19 won, driven by Joerg Muller, Dirk Muller and Augusto Farfus. That beast Bimmer is a total weapon.
Speaking of weapons, the 24-Hr winning yellow and green cult car that is the Manthey Racing 911 GT3 RSR also made its comeback to VLN after a year of abscence and finished in 6th place.
The top six were:

1. Schubert Z4
2. Timbuli GT3 R
3. Schubert Z4
4. Timbuli GT3 R
5. Alzen Z4
6. Manthey RSR
So, three BMW Z4s and three 911 GT3 R in the top places, proving they are the cars to beat this year, in VLN and the 24-Hour? A thrilling season awaits.
As usual, the VLN is loaded with diversity and heritage, and it was great to see the Phoenix Audi R8 with the Stuck family at the helm, with Ferdinand Stuck and Johannes Stuck (sons of the infamous Hans-Joachim Stuck) teaming up with Luca Ludwig. And also making a name for itself was Gran Turismo's Kazunori Yamauchi in the new R35 Nismo GT-R GT3; a mean looking, great sounding, quick (and thirsty) machine.

We love VLN. Check out all Jochen's fab images on Facebook now. 

VIDEO: Bilstein Audi R8 Ring Racer

Fantastic film by top suspension gurus, Bilstein (a name synonymous with the Nurburgring Nordschleife) and one of the best looking, fastest, coolest race cars in the VLN Championship and ADAC 24-Hour, the Bilstein Audi R8. Love it!

VIDEO: Falken Drift Show @ VLN Nürburgring

Really nice film from Falken (who have done some amazing viral videos this year), from a place they know very well – the Nürburgring. But this video is not about their amazing Porsche GT3 R race car doing the business in the VLN, but the Falken Drift Show instead. Great PR. Great video. Great guys! Oh, and great tyres too...  find out more at www.falkentyres-uk.com.

VIDEO: Sabine Schmitz & Klaus Abbelen 2012 Frikadelli Racing VLN Highlights

The best of Sabine Schmitz and Klaus Abbelen racing on the Green Hell this year in the VLN in their awesome Frikadelli Racing RSR. Awesome! Want to know how to race the Ring? Watch and learn... and enjoy the sound of this bonkers fast, incredible sounding, amazingly driven hardcore 911 racer in action. Some incredible pasess to relish...  and just look at the telemetry too! Utterly insane, and we love it! Like them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frikadelli-Racing-Official-Fanpage/160145224008529?fref=ts

NEWS: RSR Nurburg 2012: Prosport Ring Laps. VLN. Spa.

The RSR Prosport is having its covers removed and is being dusted off for Ring laps, with our good pals at the Green Hell, Ron Simons' RSR Nurburg: http://www.rsrnurburg.com. This 400bhp Cosowrth V6 sequential beast of a downforce racer is available for three serious hot laps this season for 299 Euros – an experience to behold, but take your brave pills first!
Also at RSR this year, is their Gran Turismo event at  the epic Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in Belgium on the 12th and 13th of April, book now. But perhaps best of all is the chance to drive the two best circuits in the world in just one track day! Ron says: "There are very few private track days on the Nordschleife this year... and our next track day on the Nordschleife takes place on the 18th of June from 8am to 1pm. We are then running a special deal for this day whereby you can drive the Nordschleife followed by a Historic Lotus Tour Rallye to Spa from 2pm till 5pm and then from 6pm till 8pm, an exclusive Lotus Racing School on the Spa F1 track. This proves to be another exciting drive at the 2 best tracks in the world in just one day!" That'll be a grand day out. May also sees yet more Track Days at Spa with the Premium RSR Track Day on the 24th!
Finally, RSR are offering another package for racing and track enthusiasts alike – the RSR Nurburg VLN Racing "Weekender Plus" – a program catered towards groups of six or more who want to enjoy the ultimate experience of the Nurburgring in just one weekend. Ron says: "Friday watch the VLN practice during the day, then jump into the passenger seat for the ride of your life alongside a Professional racing driver for a Hot Taxi Lap around the Nordschleife. Dinner is on us at the famous Pistenklause Restaurant amongst the race drivers, teams and hardcore fans. Saturday morning experience the real Nurburgring on a race day with thousands of fans everywhere while driving in a Lotus Exige in our Nurburg Tour Rallye. Here you will see the track, hear the history, find the best lines and watch live racing all over this enormous track. Afterwards you head to the GP circuit straight to pits to get up close and personal with your favourite teams, cars and drivers. Then we head to the VIP Hospitality Suite for the afternoon to watch the race! Finally, on Sunday, the track is open the whole day for tourist driving so it's your chance to get out there and drive the notorious 'Ring yourself in one of many RSR cars to choose from. Selected Hotels are included with complimentary breakfasts. Weekends don't come any better than this!" Book these VLN Race Dates for 2012 on the 14th & 28th of April, 23rd June, 7th & 21st of July, 4th & 28th of August, 29th of September, 27th of October. Pricing starts at Euro 949 per person for the whole weekend...T&C's apply, Simply enquire for more details. A great mix of events for 2012, thanks to Ron and RSR. Get involved. Bravo Ron. Great work.