It is time to say goodbye. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity. Today’s focus is primarily on some noteworthy incidents on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – just one of many, many aspects of the past times.

„Metzgesfeld“ left turn: escape route with Eleanor V through the dry meadow (please see blogpost 130).

„Kallenhard“ to „Wehrseifen“ left- right curve: a car on the roof, just a vehicle width space to pass through without any damage.

„Ex-Mühle“ right turn, at the exit: two vehicles crashed, just came to a standstill; in the centre a gap to pass through without any damage, despite widely dispersed car parts.

„Kesselchen“ after the ground wave at the end of this left turn: the driver of the car in front of The Castiron’s Ford Mustang, Eleanor V, lost the control in the difficult wet conditions and spun towards the right crash barriers. The Castiron evaded to the left and Eleanor V was showered with wet dirt from the right side – but nothing more.

„Kesselchen Mutkurve“ left turn (before „Klostertal“), and „Pflanzgarten“ right turn: in the first case cooling liquid on the ideal line, oil in the other case (please see blogpost 149).

„Eschbach“ to „Brünnchen“ double left hand bend: overlooking of a humid part of the track by The Castiron lead to a crash (please see blogpost 60).

As already before, the pastor’s view may not be missed. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens is written in the Holy Bible. For those, who want to know more: The Castiron invites you to read Ecclesiastes 3 (please see recommendation). Adios Amigos!

For the very last time - but again and again - next week: Christmas Day.

See you next Friday.   -   God bless you, all the best!   The Castiron

Recommendation:       https://www.bibleserver.com/NIV/Ecclesiastes3

It has been now ten years, when The Castiron met Eleanor V, a Ford Mustang GT Premium V8, built with pride in the USA, arrived in Switzerland early in the year 2005. Today, just a brief overview.

In December 2010: this car was up for sale for a few weeks. During that time, The Castiron was searching for a specific used car and found one: red / grey with a body kit „Eleanor“ and a cross at the back. The Ford Mustang for the pastor? The owner and The Castiron arranged an appointment.

And then, it was the time of the very first ride and one day later, The Castiron confirms to the owner that he will buy the car.

A decade after this first rendez-vous, The Castiron and Eleanor V are still happy together. Many of the former blogposts tell about their common adventures. Both are richer in experience and ten years older, Eleanor V has now 48'500 miles (78'000 km) on the milage meter.

See you next Friday.   -   God bless you, all the best!   The Castiron

Recommendation:       http://thecastiron.ch/en/eleanorv.html

Things go in cycles: spring, summer, autumn, winter – a fact on one hand, on the other hand the Nordschleife, always good for a surprise. Today, autumn’s perspective, based on an overview on the last decades and related gained experiences.

In autumn you can be confronted with the conditions as described for spring and summer (please see blogposts 198 and 213). Keep in mind: Nordschleife is and will remain Nordschleife! Do not underestimate the manifold challenges of this track.

The Castiron rode his very first laps on this track in autumn, quite a long time ago. This time of the year offers some additional challenges. For instance, leaves are not only on the trees and you are confronted with end-of season road conditions.

The leaves. Very beautiful on the trees, not very pleasant close to the vehicle. Covering the tarmac ground contact gets tricky, especially in wet. Swirling around in the air can mean that the cooling openings are no longer free – overheating can occur, a pit stop to remove the leaves can become inevitable. 

The end-of-season road conditions. In brief: partially quite bad. Mainly braking zones can be wavy and acceleration zones slippery – especially in slower curves. As in daily traffic, the many vehicle strains the road surface. Adjusting the riding style and the line selection helps.     

Again: Nordschleife is and will remain Nordschleife! Be aware, that especially the weather in this region (listed below, as a little help: some localities very close to the Nordschleife) and all its related factors do not make things easier. Be alert – have a safe and effective drive, being it on the track or on the road.

See you next Friday.   -   God bless you, all the best!   The Castiron

Recommendation:       http://thecastiron.ch/en/links-en.html

PS   Localities, relevant for selective weather forecasts Nordschleife:
53520 Nürburg  
53518 Quiddelbach  
53518 Adenau  
53518 Herrschbroich  
53520 Döttinger Höhe  
53520 Meuspath