Emotion Before Perfection

The Slow Blog

Weekly English and German
Wöchentlich deutsch und englisch

June 2017

Subscribe for free Signup Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share by email

46 RAD AM RING

Blogpost number 46. This number is really legendary in the two-wheeler sports – it is the start number of Valentino Rossi, one of the greatest on a motor-operated two-wheel vehicle. Usually, it is a very powerful MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 motorcycle; another vehicle, in particular used in the paddock, is a Haibike with an electric Yamaha drive system – not so powerful, but powerful enough for a bicycle / eBike.

The Castiron is also an owner of a similar Haibike powered by an electric motor from Yamaha. He is not so fast on two wheels, especially with the bicycle. But there is one fascinating combination: the Nürburgring and the very popular event Rad am Ring once a year.

Thus, The Castiron participated in last year’s contest on the Nordschleife course. The rechargeable battery almost fully loaded he started in the appropriate group. Lap time around one hour in this case – not as usual less than 10 minutes on four wheels. Top speed approximately 50 miles per hour (section „Fuchsröhre“) instead of up to 140; and time to study a lot of particular spots on the Nordschleife. After 3 laps the electric assist had gone because of an empty battery (which was very helpful, especially in the uphill parts). Nonetheless, it was a very impressive experience and very helpful – an additional piece in the mosaic of proper preparation, to prevent poor performance. Those 3 laps in three hours gave other insights than with approximately 20 laps by car in the same time span – and the recognition, that a fully charged battery would have made an additional lap possible.

Please note: on July 28 to 30, 2017 it is time again for Rad am Ring (see recommendation)! This leaves a few weeks of anticipation, be it as spectator or participant – just for fun or to compete quite seriously.

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

Recommendation:       https://www.radamring.de/en/

  • 46b DSCN2360 r.JPG
  • 46c DSCN2341 r.JPG
  • 46d DSCN2340 r.JPG
  • 46e DSCN2453 r.JPG
  • 46f DSCN2513 r.JPG
  • 46g DSCN3192.JPG
  • 46h DSCN3149.JPG
  • 46i DSCN2479 r.JPG
  • 46j DSCN2899r.JPG
  • 46k DSCN2395 r.JPG
Subscribe for free Signup Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share by email

45 TREMBLING HANDS

Do you remember the blogpost 35 EASTER? One major point was on trembling with reverence. Today, the focus is on another point of this subject. 

Trembling hands or trembling all over? Trembling hands and trembling all over? You cannot choose. It is the situation which determines the way of trembling (see the video) – be it on the racetrack, be it on the road, be it in other realms. 

When you watch the video you are faced with different situations where the drivers probably trembled: at least trembling hands, may be trembling all over or trembling inwardly. What experiences could you share with us? 

The Castiron likes to share one with you. To get the Racing Driver Licence for touring-cars, he had to pass several driver trainings. Spring in Germany, the old Hockenheim Grand Prix circuit (4,24 miles) with the two fast chicanes; it was spring - just on the tarmac, alongside still snow and rather cold. In the second chicane, The Castiron was not perfectly riding on the ideal line, crossed the wayside and the car had a more involuntary contact with the crash barriers – the snowy surface was not very helpful, too. 

Whether The Castiron has had trembling hands or not: he does not remember, because it happened long ago. But he knows: he was annoyed with the mistake he made and having damaged the car. Finally, those two days have not been quite successful for him. 

The Castiron’s view: it undouptedly helps to be respectfully submitted to the laws of physics and overall, be respectfully submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

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

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

 

PS.   Winner of the 24 Hours Le Mans, June 17 - 18, 2017: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Porsche 919 Hybrid (after 6 Hours: 54th Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber - TO FINISH FIRST FIRST YOU MUST FINISH) ...

 

Subscribe for free Signup Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share by email

44 PREVIEW 24H LE MANS 2017

The 85th edition of the 24 Hours Le Mans, June 17 - 18, 2017, FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). It should be up to Sébastien Buemi this time, who was so close to the victory last year; or will we get a surprise, such as a victorious newcomer José-María López? Compensatory justice, big surprise or simply one of the favourites, for instance last year’s winner Neel Jani? 

Looking back at the last three blogposts, one big question remains: who will eventually finish and finish first? Today, let us have a look at the above mentioned drivers, their team mates and racecars. Three competitors and three possible terms: hope, surprise, reality.

Hope: Sébastien Buemi, with Kazuki Nakajima and Anthony Davidson, Toyota TS050 Hybrid. The winners of the first two races in Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Will they celebrate the third victory this year in Le Mans? After last year’s dramatic experience, this team will have many, many sympathizers just with the one and only hope for the very end of these 1440 minutes. 

Surprise: José-María López, Toyota TS050 Hybrid. After the crash in Silverstone, López did not participate in Spa-Francorchamps. That leaves some question marks, probably for Le Mans, too. Will he really drive this race or will another racer supplement Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway? The smallest uncertainty can be decisive, especially in a race as the 24 Hours Le Mans. 

Reality: Neel Jani, with André Lotterer and Nick Tandy, Porsche 919 Hybrid. Triumphators in 2016 and also perhaps in 2017 - even without a top result after this year’s first two competitions. Or the other Porsche with Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber? Even Porsche did not win one of the first races, this brand should never be underestimated!

Additionally to all of that: you never can exclude a very big surprise! Upcoming Sunday, we all will know more, after the waving of the chequered flag – and not one moment before that.

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

Recommendation:       http://www.lemans.org/en

Subscribe for free Signup Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share by email

43 TO FINISH FIRST FIRST YOU MUST FINISH PART III

Part I and II have been about experiences on the track. There are some similarities to drift contests but also important differences; probably the decisive one is, that you can finish without really being considered to the classification. For example, one criteria is to have a drift without a spin that discontinues the drift. If you spin around you failed; sometimes you get still a few points and you can find your name at the lower end of the rankings. 

The Castiron took part in the sport auto DriftChallenge 2001 in Hockenheim. It was wet, really wet – and it was very, very slippery at irregular intervals (see the video). Everyone had 3 heats – 3 times a spin and The Castiron’s recognition „a fourth heat would have been sucessful“ finished his competition. The Castiron was not the only one with these problems, but that is no comfort. That is racing, that is life. 

To finish first first you must finish; in other words take the right route, take the right way. The Castiron hopes, that this awareness will also help you, on the road, on the track, as a convinced Christian in the spiritual life, everyday and anywhere. 

Next week it is a good time to look forward to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, June 17 - 18, 2017, FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

Subscribe for free Signup Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Google+ Share by email

42 TO FINISH FIRST FIRST YOU MUST FINISH PART II

Part I was about the 84th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016, especially the last 10 of these 1440 minutes; a story of joy and pain – and sympathy. Let us hear the voices from some drivers (quoted from the Swiss periodical „Automobil Revue“ June 22, 2016). 

The beaten Sébastien Buemi, Toyota TS050 Hybrid: „It is hard to find words for what has happened to us. We came so close to reach our goal. The aim for next year is clear ...“ 

The victorious Neel Jani, Porsche 919 Hybrid: „Of course, it is my greatest victory. Despite all joy it is heartbreaking, when you imagine, what happened to Toyota. Such a thing you wish to no one.“ 

And the fourth placed Marcel Fässler, Audi R18 e-tron quattro: „I am extremely sorry for Sébastien for the outcome of the race. I encountered the people from Toyota after the race and a look into their eyes hurt me enormously.“ 

According to www.motorsport-total.com (June 23, 2016) a spokesperson of TMG (Toyota Motorsport GmbH) notified: „The car suffered from a defect of a plug connection between turbocharger and intercooler. That led to the fact that the turbocharger control was no more working.“ 

Just the bright side of this race experienced Ford. After the great triumph 50 years ago they achieved again a historical win, this time in the LMGTE-Pro class. It was a Ford GT, driven by J. Hand / D. Müller / S. Bourdais (position 18 overall); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQPohKkgAzE - to finish first first you must finish. 

You will read more on this topic next week. 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now