4 days at the Nurburgring

[Paul Hansen]

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, I was away in Germany as a shooter for a pair of journalists making a pilgrimage to the 'ring with an Evo and STI. I apologize if this isn't exactly Motorsports, but didn't seem to fit anywhere else.

If you ever thought you were a studly hunk of a driver, the first lap around the 'ring is a ballshrinker of the highest order. I've never been on something as tough, and to be honest, I don't think there is anything left that is. Even after 5 laps it is still humbling, but you are somewhat numb to the fear by that time. ;)
(I only did about a 9:30 in the STI)

I was mostly involved in tracking shots and helping set up bullet cams and such, but spent some time track side shooting as well. Here are some shots of the random madness rolling by...

We think this may have been a manufacturer test car, as we had seen it previous during the testing times. Quite a lot of manufacturers have permanent facilities for testing vehicles at and around the Nurburgring.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_001.jpg


Nothing is more fun than trying to shoot a car while being flung about violently. No, really.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_002.jpg

Off-track tracking shots. The roads around the 'ring are nearly as entertaining as the 'ring itself.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_003.jpg

Upcoming Lexus in camo.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_004.jpg

Brake testing vehicle.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_005.jpg

Off-track tracking shots - the Evo.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_006.jpg

Koenigg supercar.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_007.jpg

Bonus shot while waiting for the cars I needed to shoot to come around. The ring is so large, that takes 15-20 minutes per lap.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_008.jpg

Bonus shot No.2.
http://www.sevenphotos.com/dev/the_nur/nur_009.jpg

Cheers

[Jeremy Alan Glover]

Sweeet Shots. I really like the off track shot of the STI.

[Thomas Maranda]

Nice stuff. That place looks like it's the racing Mecca.

[Erik Anderson]

The tracking shots look good and I think the 350Z is my favorite shot of the bunch. I'd love to visit the 'ring in real life! Now if you'll pardon me, I'll be booting up GT4 :)

[Michael Chu]

I like the two STi shots! The rear one just looks so nice!!

And a masked up Lexus...:). Do tell more ;)

[Drew Phillips]

Off-track STI shot is my favorite.

[Zerin Dube]

IS500 :)



And a masked up Lexus...:). Do tell more ;)

[Paul Hansen]

Nurburgring... well, it's a mecca all right. It's more popular than it used to be thanks to GT4. There are cars coming in from all over Europe, their drivers ready to pit their manliness against the 'ring. The downside to that is that their skill levels are not necessarily that high. Or maybe more accurate, there is something simply unique about the difficulty of the Nurburgring in comparison to all those other emasculated circuits around the world. The Corkscrew in America is simply one corner, while the Nurburgring is rife with such madness.

What is also so fascinating about it is the sheer amount of future machinery that is being tested on and around the Nurburgring. I'm not sure that there is anywhere else in the world that has such a curious mix of old Europe and absolutely the latest hi-tech, all tucked away in the folds of the hills. You see exotic machinery in Beverly Hills or Roppongi, but nothing quite as exotic as you see in this forested area surrounded by farmlands. There's something strange about passing a farmer on his tractor on a narrow, twisty two-lane, then having an unreleased Audi supercar go by the other direction at 150km/h.

Cheers

[Mark Delbrueck]

Beautiful shots! That off track shot of the STi is very Eston Chang looking (aka perfect!). I wonder if that 350Z with NISMO stuff has engine technology from the upcoming GT-R. Either that or they are putting the final tests on the new 350Z engine (the VQ35HR).

[Jeff Boerio]

Your STi shot is a fantastic shot. I also like the cornering shots from the 'ring with the back end being motion-blurred, with everything else pretty sharp.