Ring Reviews

Driving a long-wheelbase Jag around the 'ring

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 21:11

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 21:38

Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 21:19

Written by Dale

As you might have gathered from the earlier article about the new Jaguar Ring Taxi, I was lucky enough to spend some time at the Jaguar Nürburgring Test Centre. Well, I didn't just take a wander around the facilities, I also did three laps driving an XFR and three laps in an XJ Supersport...

>> read more and see the full video after the jump >>

Rental Citroën DS3 Sport "Stage 2" on the Nürburgring

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Monday, 17 October 2011 20:12

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:04

Published on Monday, 17 October 2011 20:12

Written by Dale

Despite renting cars at the Nürburgring Nordschleife to customers for nearly the last five years, I've never really been a customer myself. Having always had my own track car here at the 'Ring, why would I be? But with recent changes to my UK insurance policy for the MX5, there were only two choices - borrow a car, or don't drive...(and that's no choice at all for the confirmed ring-addict!)

More after the 'read more' jump!

Testing the newest Nurburgring rental...

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 13:48

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:04

Published on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 13:48

Written by Dale

You'd have to be living under a rock to escape the fact I work at Rent4Ring selling rental cars for the Nürburgring Nordschleife. One of the best bits of the job is, undoubtedly, the occasions where I need to actually drive something on the track. The new rental Mazda MX5 (or Miata) pictured above was one of these moments... more photos, onboard footage, and words after the jump (WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS NUTS).

Mystery test car...

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Sunday, 18 September 2011 05:16

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:04

Published on Sunday, 18 September 2011 05:16

Written by Dale

Thanks to the inimitable Autobau team, BTG will be bringing you some thoughts and opinions on a brand new sportscar next week. But what is it? Another photo below...

BTG does: Anti-Roll Bars.

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Thursday, 28 July 2011 09:23

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:04

Published on Thursday, 28 July 2011 09:23

Written by Dale

A couple of people have asked me if I was going to elaborate more on the Anti-roll bar kit on my MX-5 Turbo. I think it's worth noting that my little Mazda has around 1500 euros invested in the chassis package, and while there are more expensive options for every part, it's the way the whole package works together that makes me so happy.

Here's how the chassis mods progressed on the MX-5 Turbo:

• FIRST: 15x7 wheels with Toyo R888 - a great starting point on more cornering speed is a wider-than-stock wheel and stickier tyres. Outright grip increases, but the balance is destroyed. Body roll increases, load on the shocks increases, and the vicious tuning circle is started...
• THEN: HSD Coilovers - generic value coilover struts that by their very generic nature ensure you have a wide range of adjustments - spring preload, platform height and damping just to get you started. Lower ride-height and stiffer damping allowed the body to rest in a better position. Body rolll was still excessive, but control and balance was much better than the combo of stock-suspension and high-grip tyres.
• FINALLY: UltraRacing adjustable uprated ARBs front and back. The final piece of the puzzle, though on many cars they should probably be amongst the first pieces. 

So here, in no particular order are my thoughts on ARBs (or Stabis) in general and also when applied to the MX-5.... read the full article here.

First lap: Citroen DS3 Racing

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Parent Category: Nurburgring

Created on Friday, 01 July 2011 19:31

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 22:04

Published on Friday, 01 July 2011 19:31

Written by Dale

Things continue to gather pace here at BridgeToGantry as Citroën Niederlassung Frankfurt offer me the opportunity to drive the new Citroën DS3 Racing. It's not just my first drive either, it's the first ever time the new hot hatch has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife! To read more, see more photos and even watch the onboard video just click 'read more'...