2017

Some time ago, another trackday, then with the sporty German four-door limousine, mentioned in blogpost 58 THE DAYS BEFORE ELEANOR V 201709 - beautiful weather and rather good conditions. A day at Hockenheim making one to believe that everything will go well. 

After several laps, accelerating out of the slow corner „Spitzkehre“, passing through the following right-hand bend: all of a sudden it turned out differently. Around 100 miles per hour at the exit of the corner, a huge oversteering pounces upon The Castiron’s car. 

The Castiron countersteered as fast as possible and as much as necessary and pressed the brake pedal smoothly: he knew, deceleration is a must, because the next left-hand bend is a slow one. He needed the whole distance of considerably more than 400 feet to keep the drifting car under control. Reaching the next corner, the drift angle was almost still the same, but at a lower speed; so he was able to force the car in a drift to the other side to round this bend. After that, everything was back to normal. 

Have a look at the video to see many similar situations, this time in wintry conditions. To that some conclusions: it seems to be a driver training at lower speeds, drivers are prepared for these situations, yet car control is often far from perfect. And: the walls are generally not of flexible snow! 

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

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

The past motorsport season, a circuit in France and a Legends Car - the owner and promoter of SWISS LEGENDS RACING gave The Castiron the opportunity to test this racing car, based on a tubular frame and a Ford Coupe Silhouette. 

The Car. With its body style from the 1930s and 1940s, the Legends Cars look like a 5/8 scale model of the stock cars that dominated NASCAR racing in the 1950s. Some specials: single-seater, no ABS, a sequential 5-speed manual gearbox, solid rear axle without differential. 

The circumstances. The owner instructs The Castiron: how to fix and remove the steering wheel, how to go into reverse gear if necessary and so forth. The weather: light rain, track surface accordingly. Looking forward to an exciting and entertaining journey: ready, steady, go! 

The driving experience. Enhancing the pace lap by lap, gaining experience, effectively: braking point not optimal, blocked front wheels, looking for an escape route, releasing the brake pedal, crossing the gravel bed, making an U turn on the wet meadow and getting cautiously back on the track. A few laps later: to much oversteering, to make the best of it braking as hard as possible until standstill - but the car is counter to the right direction; what was that again with the reverse gear? To move the separate small lever in the right direction enables reversing and turning, to continue in the correct direction. 

So far, so good. Not so easy, quite a demanding task, enormous fun pure within reasonable costs - this is the fundamental idea and also The Castiron’s conclusion. With this in mind: a good forthcoming season to all drivers of a Legends Car and to all others! 

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

Recommendation:       https://www.uslegendcars.com/

It is interesting and quite fast. These were The Castiron’s informations, before he visited this racetrack. 

Some years ago, The Castiron was invited to start at a race of the Swiss Championship in Dijon-Prenois, on this occasion with an American Race Truck (Craftman’s Truck / Pickup). It was a very good experience, thrilling and overall a succesful race day, honoured with a trophy. 

Some weeks ago, The Castiron and Eleanor V, his Ford Mustang, were back in Dijon-Prenois to participate at a trackday. Both enjoyed also this day. Very well organized, not to many participants, a lot of track time, nice people, good weather - this is the summary of a memorable high-speed day in France. 

Please have a look at the video, too. A former Swiss professional racing driver will present you two on-board laps, one to become more familiar with the track and one with race conditions. 

Part II will bring you closer to the Circuit Dijon-Prenois. 

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

Photos: Nico’s Photostudio. Thank you Nico! 

Recommendation:       https://nico-photostudio.jimdo.com/

Germany, on 31 October 1517, Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses. Now, 500 years later, it is a good moment to have again a closer look at it. 

Today’s topic is on the motivation of Martin Luther, what he was aiming for and what he did. According to Wikipedia, the theses debated and criticised the Church and the papacy, but concentrated upon the selling of indulgences and doctrinal policies about purgatory, particular judgement, and the authority of the Pope. 

Martin Luther recognized many problematic issues and he intended to initiate a reformation of the Church. Ultimately, he saw no other approach than publishing this Ninety-Five Theses, on 31 October 1517. 

Sadly, there was almost no insight, a reformation seemed unnecessary – but it was really necessary! In this context, many sad stories are reported in the history books, too. 

All this lead to a point, where a schism was inevitable. Contrary to the intention of reforming the Church, that led to another one instead, with a fast and comprehensive spreading throughout the world. 

Last, but not least, The Castiron invites you to have a look at today’s impressive video; probably, the performed song of Amazing Grace can reflect somewhat of Martin Luther’s person and his concerns, finally named the Protestant Reformation. 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

The Pony Car! The launch in 1964 and the 50th Mustang Anniversary in Las Vegas / USA, 2014 - more than 2000 cars present (please have a look at the video). The Castiron and his Ford Mustang, Eleanor V, could not participate, but they attended similar events, one in 2014 and one this year in Switzerland. 

The 5th Mustang & Shelby Meeting in Birrfeld Lupfig in 2014 was also on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary. Eleanor V was one of estimated 1000 vehicles, travelled from half of Europe. 

And now, this year in 2017, both attended the 6th Mustang & Shelby Meeting in Zug. Beautiful wheather, a nice region with city and lake in close proximity, several hundred ponies and nice people made this day almost perfect. Thanks to the Mustang Club of Switzerland for the very good organization and the varied entertainment, too! 

Less words, more pictures: the picture gallery will give you a short overview. Enjoy yourself! 

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

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

First of all, please have a look at the video. Obviously, it is Nordschleife - the double left hand bend from „Eschbach“ to „Brünnchen“, downhill. Ideally, you drive this part with the objective to terminate on the left side to be ready for the next righthand turn; tricky, because usually you have to be on the right side at the end of left bends. Additionally: downhill means, the rear of the vehicle becomes rather light. 

Some time ago, The Castiron was more or less in the same situation, at the same place, driving an early nineties rear-wheel driven European Ford, not Eleanor V. Dry surface, but partly humid, especially in shady places. 

It was almost exactly the same, as the Mini driver in the video experienced – but with some major differences. The Castiron drove into the first bend, used the space on the right side for a wider radius for the second left and: he was not aware of the humid strip and his car abruptly skidded more than rectangular to the driving direction. Both drivers braked immediately to diminish as much speed as possible, to save what can be saved. 

And now, the major differences: the Mini slides just a little bit more than rectangular, The Castiron’s Ford did it decisively more. Also the starting point of the problems was not exactly the same. Thus, the Mini driver had the happier end – he did not touch the crash barriers; at the end of this double left turn, The Castiron did, and the left backside of the Ford touched the crash barriers on the right side – hard enough for a quite visible damage at the car, light enough for remaining roadworthy (more or less). 

Conclusion: often, small details determine, if you almost crash or you really do – or between a minor or a serious accident! Thank God, this was the only crash The Castiron faced on the Nordschleife, since he has been a guest on this track – for the first time 25 years ago. Hopefully, it stays that way! 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

The picture shows a mileage counter of one of The Castiron’s former cars. The 340'009 kilometers are equivalent to 211'317 miles – in other words, more than 8 times around the world. 

The Castiron prefers cars from leading manufacturers from the USA and Germany; guess to which brand and model pertains that certain part of the dashboard shown! Just a little help: a sporty German four-door limousine with 6-cylinder-in-line engine. 

The Castiron bought this car as a used car (see last week’s blogpost 57, too), about 10 years old, mileage of 111'870. It is one example for quite a long binding; around another 10 years later the car found again a new owner, finally with a mileage of more than 212'000 miles. This is just one example out of many.

Also noteworthy: Eleanor V, the Ford Mustang, a Plymouth Barracuda S (first generation) for street use and a Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (second generation) for race use are highlights; cars from the „Big Three“ from the Detroit area, very well known for many decades. Not a surprise: all of those with a V8 engine, a manual gearbox and a limited slip differential. Today, among these three only Eleanor V is a companion of The Castiron. 

Either a car from the three major American automotive companies or renowned German brands, or any other manufacturer: each of them has specific characteristics and finally, it is all a matter of taste. 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

Once upon a time somewhere in the United States of America, The Castiron served in a team of instructors for a prestigious German automobile manufacturer. 

After getting into the car and driving off, one passenger said: „less words, more speed“! Alternatives: no words, more (or less) speed or more words, more speed. 

Less words, more speed. As an instructor this is daily business. Explanations for your co-drivers, also at high speeds or giving instructions via radio, when you are on the track followed by course participants. 

No words, more (or less) speed. Especially on the track, there is quite a wide range of challenging situations, where talking stops intentionally - or in extreme speechlessness appears! Breaking, cornering, overtaking or being overtaken, understeering, oversteering – first of all you face these circumstances, without the need for big words. 

More words, more speed. Sometimes it is easier to speak at a high speed via radio (for instance, around 230 miles per hour in Indianapolis, around 205 miles per hour in Le Mans), because the driver is on a straight! 

Finally in a few words: more or less words, more or less speed – always combined with concentration and sovereignty, for road and track! 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

Relatives. No, not the relatives of The Castiron. Let us have a short look at the closest ones of Eleanor V, The Castiron’s Ford Mustang. 

Generation 1, 1964 – 1973. Noteworthy engines from 260 to 429 CID. This was a glorious beginning. 

Generation 2, 1974 – 1978. One noteworthy engine, 302 CID. The first 1973 oil crisis should be briefly mentioned. 

Generation 3, 1979 – 1993. Noteworthy engines from 260 to 302 CID. The second oil crisis in 1979 should also be briefly mentioned. 

Generation 4, 1994 – 2004. Noteworthy engines from 281 to 351 CID. It was time for a major redesign. 

Generation 5, 2005 – 2014. Noteworthy engines from 281 to 351 CID. Eleanor V is a 2005 model, dyno tested 310 hp and 330 lb-ft. – 281 CID. Thereby a retro wave has begun and some other manufacturer of similar cars followed. 

Generation 6, from 2015. Noteworthy engines from 302 to 315 CID. Let us look forward to a future with a successful continuation. 

Please show understanding for just mentioning V8 engines. The Castiron’s view: in this case a V8 engine is a must - naturally aspired, by preference. Long live the atmospheric engine! 

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

Illustrations: Thanks to Mathias Böhm and Timo Völker http://diepresse.com/home/motor/5219910/Die-Evolution-des-FordMustang-als-Comic#slide-5219910-5 

Recommendation:       http://www.fordmustang.ch/galerienclubfahrzeuge.htm

Once upon a time somewhere in the United States of America, The Castiron served in a team of instructors for a prestigious German automobile manufacturer. Main issue on the agenda: to present a brand new car model and its feature traction and stability control. 

Well motorized rear-wheel driven limousines were ready, everyone with an instructor behind the steering wheel. Day by day new car dealers from different States and foreign countries arrived to enjoy and experience demonstration drives. 

After getting into the car, one person said: „the pedal to the metal“! And he was right; it was one particular objective to prove the effectiveness of the traction and stability control to these passengers – that means, even when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal, the control system will help by at least cutting the engine power, if necessary in emergency situations. It worked and was a very impressive experience for everyone. 

A question remains. Always the pedal to the metal? No, also this pedal is on the driver’s responsibilty! Do it the right way, be it on the track or on the road - and this two surroundings are not the same! It is up to you, do the right thing at the right place.    

Finally, please note: the assistant systems in your car are mainly safety devices! 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

Main picture.   Blüemlisalphütte, 2840 meters above sea level, 03:00 am, breakfast; that means wake-up call at 02:40 am. In the darkness you try to get dressed, the right clothes, the correct order. 

Picture gallery photo 1.   After breakfast it is time to fit the step irons; it is cold, 03:20 am, the first steps towards the glacier with a headlight, otherwise the darkness reigns. Silence, just the snow crunches. What a wonderful calmness, you hear only the regular steps of the mountain guide. We climb the steep saddle. From the East the morning dawn is rising. 

Picture gallery photo 2. The sun is not yet up, but you see an impressive range of blue and red tones. And then the moment: the sun appears over the horizon – taking pictures, being astonished! 

Picture gallery photo 3.   We ascent the flat rocks and get at the summit. The world with its questions and sorrows is getting smaller and it seems, you are able to seize the three dimensions. 

Picture gallery photo 4.   Around 06:30 am, we reach the peak; it is very impressive, in each direction the ground descends steeply, even vertically. Glorious weather, perfect view, mountaintops vie with each other – Matterhorn, Jungfrau and also the Mont Blanc seems to be very close. Breath taking! And all of that should base on the big bang theory, by coincidence? Impossible! Honour to our creator! 

Picture gallery photo 5.   Then the descent; the same route, total concentration, rocks, glacier crevasses and other though challenges. 

Picture gallery photo 6.   The comedown on the mountain trail is quite relaxing. At 2:00 pm I am lying in the green grass, in the midst of multicoloured mountain flowers. 

Picture gallery photo 7.   The Blüemlisalphorn is laughing at me and „waving me goodbye“! 

Many thanks from The Castiron to Ueli! 

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

Recommendation:       www.cbmcint.com/signup-now

Sportcars Day Ascona. The Piazza, Sunday morning, all cars are ready for the parade, the common tour to Sonogno! It led through the Verzasca Valley, with its steep slopes ending at the bizarre river landscape, flanked by the majestic mountain backdrop.

Once arrived at the picturesque village of Sonogno, a rich aperitif was prepared for all the happy people. Afterwards, the way back to Ascona conveyed also highly versatile impressions and ended on the Piazza in Ascona. There, the event continued with perfect sunshine, music and a delicious dinner. Soon the hour of our departure came and it was time to say goodbye.

Safely arrived at home, it was time to reflect. Seemingly, many of the participants worked a lot in their lives and took the opportunity for a beautiful day in a good mood together with their special cars and like-minded people. My conclusion is to come back some day, when the former racing driver Jo Vonlanthen and his team will invite again to the Sportcars Day Ascona.

This trip, this event gave me a lot of precious time together with my good friend The Castiron to share our common hobby and other interests. We could spend a relaxing time among like-minded people. This is reason enough for thanking and I hope to return the favour one day.

Please note: on September 17, 2017 it is time again for the Sportcars Day Ascona (see recommendation). This leaves a few weeks of anticipation, be it as spectator or participant! 

Many thanks from The Castiron to Adriano!

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

Recommendation:       http://www.sportcarsday.eu/

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/

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

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

The Three and the Swiss Confederation, The Castiron’s home country. A long time ago, in 1291, the Swiss Confederation was founded, by three brave men – as the legend says. Walter Fürst of the canton of Uri, Werner Stauffacher of the canton of Schwyz and Arnold Melchtal of the canton of Unterwalden came together in a time of great oppression. Their aim was to lay the cornerstone for a land of freedom; the Federal Charter of 1291 began with the words: In the name of God, Amen – today: In the name of God Almighty. 

This country, today known as Switzerland (geographical in the heart of Europe) still exists. In the hundreds of years since 1291 have been times of freedom and times of oppressions and prohibitions and certainly many three brave men. One great story is about the Three in the 21st century and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) - circuit races forbidden in Switzerland since 1955. Nevertheless, they reached great things, worth for a single short paragraph for each of them. 

WEC World Champion 2012: Marcel Fässler, Switzerland (together with André Lotterer und Benoît Tréluyer), Audi R18 e-tron quattro. 

WEC World Champion 2014: Sébastien Buemi, Switzerland (together with Anthony Davidson), Toyota TS040 Hybrid. 

WEC World Champion 2016: Neel Jani, Switzerland (together with Marc Lieb und Romain Dumas), Porsche 919 Hybrid. 

Do you understand, why The Castiron is a little bit proud to be a compatriot of Walter Fürst, Werner Stauffacher, Arnold Melchtal and Marcel Fässler, Sébastien Buemi, Neel Jani? 

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

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

Tractor Pulling Team Kaiser – Family Affairs Pulling Team. This team is a family pulling team from south Germany. They compete with their Alky-Burner Super Stock tractor called Best Solution in the German championship series and took home the title in 2016. 

They started Tractor Pulling in the early nineties and grew up to a top team in the German series. Main thing about the Kaiser Pulling Team is, that it is a family project. They compete with a tractor, based on a 40series John Deere model (see at the end „men and machines“). 

They started as a „just for fun team“ in 1993 running regional pulling events. A few years later the claim for more power and professionalism raised and Thomas Kaiser, the team founder and captain, stepped up into German series with the team’s first Super Stock tractor, based on a Deutz 8006 (see at the end „men and machines“). 

One year later the team imported a John Deere tractor from the USA to keep up with the top. At this time, Margret Kaiser stepped into pulling driving duties (see at the end „men and machines“). 

From the beginning of 2003 the team started with two John Deere Alky-Burner tractors and stepped into European series (Euro Cup) until 2007 to battle with the top of Europe. After an absence of several years, Team Kaiser stepped back on the pulling tracks in 2015. The same time they got announced to be a part of a TV documentation called FULL PULL on DMAX. This season turned out with the third place in the German championship and a lot of nice demo runs in Austria, Switzerland and on German promotion events. 

In 2016 the DMAX broadcast went into a second session and Team Kaiser started in a perfect season, capturing the German title one event before the season finale. For 2017 the goal is focused on capturing the title again - and to get another tractor ready to rock and roll in 2018. 

Many thanks from The Castiron to Tractor Pulling Team Kaiser!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TractorPullingTeamKaiser

YouTube-Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ0xXzjSNosaOKoqtUjYPyNPCZA8Akt_l

Instagram: #tractor_pulling_team_kaiser 

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

Recommendation:       https://www.pullingteamkaiser.de/

Men and machines. 

Men.       Team Kaiser was Thomas and Margret Kaiser with their 3 boys Marcus, Stephan and Christoph. Today, the crew increased by the sons’ wives and girlfriends. Many people ask how can it work as a family. The answer is: „It works fine. Everyone got his job. Only together as a team, a family, we can handle it.“ The team’s credo is: „Who grows together, can be strong together.“        And: Margret Kaiser also stepped into pulling driving duties and powered the team’s tractor to a German title. She is the first female driver capturing a national title in Europe.        The faith in God is the family’s power to go on, even when things get tough – in sports, interpersonal, anywhere else in life. The team reflects their faith by presenting the conviction on the tractor, on the trailer, in the sports as a personal statement. Therefore, Team Kaiser is part of SRS motorsport since 2015, to connect people in sports and show, that it is not boring and compelled to be a Christian in racing. 

Machines.       Actually, the 40series John Deere model with stock motor block, 530 cubic inches, 3 turbo chargers in 2 steps, CNC made hemi cylinder head with overhead camshaft and belt drive, MSD ignition, CNC made pistons and rods uses methanol as fuel, creating about 3300 hp at 6500 rpm with 95 psi boost. This tractor is „selfmade“, every single part is manufactured in-house at the Kaiser Performance workshop.        A Deutz 8006 was the basic for the team’s first super stock tractor, with 3 turbo chargers, Diesel fuel and about 1100 hp. 

Last week’s blogpost dealt with the story of Good Friday and Easter, of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ – truly unique.

And human beings? Seemingly each person has less than 10 lookalikes, if at all. Almost equal or quite similar in the outward appearances, everyone is different. That means: unique. You are unique!

This is probably a reason why we want to have our vehicles individualised – in other words: unique. This is more or less a matter of taste. Therefore be fair. Shared joy is twice a joy! You will appreciate that, too. And do not forget, today’s topic: unique!

Next week The Castiron will bring you closer to a trackday’s daily routine.

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

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

Circuit Spa-Francorchamps: one of the really legendary international motorsport tracks, host of many special events. The yearly highlights are the F1 Belgian Grand Prix and the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, World Endurance Championship (WEC). The track is as follows:

The length is approximately 4,35 miles. It is one of the most challenging tracks in the world, due to its fast, hilly and twisty character. Everyone who knows Spa-Francorchamps also knows the names Eau Rouge, Les Combes, Pouhon, Blanchimont: distinctive points on the track, with special challenges, some of them so-called courage bends.

Particularly noteworthy: individual track introduction sessions, public driving experiences and guided tours behind the scenes.

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Recommendation:

www.spa-francorchamps.be/en

Oldtimer in Obwalden (OiO). This really special event takes place in Sarnen, the capital of the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. This beautiful small town is located approximately 12 miles south of Lucerne, on the shore of the Lake Sarner. 

It is an annual oldtimer party, and a folk festival in this place. And more: 2014’s special was about 50 years Ford Mustang. And much more, quite difficult to explain in words (the photos just give a limited insight); therefore: come and see and feel the extraordinary spirit of OiO! 

The Castiron is strongly convinced, that also this year a broad variety of vehicles of more than 100 years of history can be admired, each of them special. 

Please note: on June 3 and 4, 2017 it is time again for the spirit of OiO, in Sarnen, Switzerland (see recommendation). This leaves a few weeks of anticipation, be it as spectator or participant! And: it is really unparalleled, and you will love it! 

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Photos: OiO. Thank you very much!

Recommendation:

www.O-iO.ch

A few months ago, The Castiron spent his vacation on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Beautiful hotel and relaxed holiday atmosphere. 

One day, towards midnight, The Castiron sat in a chair in the apartement. He heard a strange noise – similar to tanks driving on tarmac. This noise came closer and closer, grew louder and louder and suddenly, everything was shaking – the floor, the chair, the room, the apartement, the whole building! After a few seconds it was over. Was it over? No, during this night, several aftershocks followed – but not as intensive as the first one. 

The Castiron was not frightened, but quite worried. Some questions – no answers. After the second or the third aftershock, he went to see the hotel’s receptionist. His statement was more or less this: I am geologist, but did just get this job here in the hotel. Do not worry, that happens now and then. These earthquakes came in horizontally, this is not a big problem; though the vertical ones are critical. And he was right: those seemed to enter from the balcony and to leave the apartement through the opposite door. 

No chance of verifying this man’s answer. Just trusting him and believing what he said. The Castiron recognized: this was similar to the Christian faith. In this situation, he just felt small and helpless. But the clear words from the receptionist gave him the calm to go to bed. The sleep was not the same as usual, a few aftershocks followed, but towards the morning, it was over. 

Last week’s blogpost and blogpost 14 dealt with the possibilities of proper preparation, to prevent poor performance. The experience on this island demonstrated tremendously and seriously, that not in any realm of human’s life a preparation is possible. This earthquake had a magnitude of less than 5, so that no damages occurred – it could have been otherwise.

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

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A ride in a Ford Mustang’s jump seat. Just a normal Ford Mustang? No, it was Eleanor V! 

Having the chance to drive together with The Castiron on the jump seat, or let us name it the passenger seat, in his Ford Mustang was a huge benefit for me.

Why am I talking about a jump seat? In aviation some aircraft type have a third seat installed in the cockpit. The pilots do their jobs in the front and on the jump seat you can see, feel and listen from the back of the cockpit what is going on, not having a real chance to interfere with the pilots. May be some screaming?! 

The same applies for the ride with The Castiron: see, feel, listen! 

Listen how the 8 cylinders bang during shifting the gears up and down. This sound is untouchable. 

Feel the safety belt and all other g-forces during breaking and do not think you should not be belted – the brakes do a wonderful job. 

See how the next corner is flying onto me, the curbs are getting closer and see how The Castiron handles the car. Altogether never any feeling to be lost on the racetrack. This Mustang with its street legal high performance tyres looks so easy to handle, every corner the car is in motion, sometimes from slight understeer to full oversteer; the combination of steering the wheel and punching the powerpedal makes it wonderful. 

Rauno Aaltonen (the rallye professor) or Walter Röhrl would have a smiling face. Me too! 

Many thanks from The Castiron to Martin!

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Recommendation:

www.highspeedfotos.de

Chubby Checker’s famous song „Come on baby let’s do the twist“ (see recommendation) inspired The Castiron for today’s topic „Come on baby let’s do the drift“. Similarities? Movement, you know what you are doing, great fun and some more 

The Castiron is a drifter, too. With the cars of the sixties and seventies, sometimes it was a question of survival, how the driver could handle an over-steering car. There were not many speed limits. Therefore, The Castiron very soon experienced the joy of being able to master an over-steering car. Back then, he did not even know that he was a drifter.     

Some friends told him, he had gone mad. But this is not the end of story. Around the turn of millennium, The Castiron began to take part with street legal cars in drift contests, where you also have free practice before the performance. Firstly just for fun, secondly for achievement and last but not least for great personal benefit. 

Finally, The Castiron knows that a drifter is a master of car control - and sometimes this can be the decisive difference in a difficult situation on the road or on the track. That’s why we sing „Come on baby let’s do the drift“ - with a twinkle in the eye and a broad smile on the face! 

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Recommendation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im9XuJJXylw

Germany, 53520 Nürburg, Rent4Ring Burgstr. 1 and Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Some time ago The Castiron decided to rent a race car. He chose the company Rent4Ring and a Suzuki Swift - for Nürburgring Nordschleife, what else!

The Suzuki Swift. Not several hundred horsepowers, just a fraction of that. A light car with front wheel drive. The right choice?

This well prepared Suzuki is ideal, from novices to experts. On one hand the car is not too fast (but mostly fast enough), good to handle and safe; on the other hand, underestimation can be punished.

The Castiron enjoyed many laps. Do not forget, it is Nürburgring Nordschleife, different conditions: dry, wet, humid! One beginning of a new lap was quite impressive: in one of the first left corners, the rear tyres lost the grip. Surprise - no chance, just breaking! The car stopped a few inches before the crash barriers, rectangular to the driving direction. Dry surface, after the start and still cold rear tyres. The Castiron’s brain was still programmed for cars with rear wheel drive and all the hill climbs, where all four tyres have to have approximately the same temperature soonest possible.

Are you reminiscent of the blogposts 21 and 22, which emphasized the importance of the tyres? Not only this experience with the cold rear tyres made these laps on the Nordschleife thrilling; even with this Suzuki Swift, it was a memorable event with a lot of instructive driving pleasure.

Please note: Rent4Ring is planning to have cars available for 2017, from March, weather allowing. This leaves a few weeks of anticipation!

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Recommendation:

www.rent4ring.de/en

You, the tyres and the wheels. After last week’s blogpost, which emphasized how important your car’s tyres are, some more information. You remember, just a few square inches are the only four spots between your car and the road or the track. That means, your life depends on these four small contact points whenever you are driving a car.

The tyres and you - really the very best confederates! Therefore: check the tyre pressure, have a look at them - both regularly. Should you not be sure, if they are damaged or not, caress them accurately; with the palm of your hand you will feel possible irregularities. What do you prefer: dirty hands or a flat tyre in an impossible situation? In such a case, impossible often means dangerous and in extreme cases life-threatening, probably on the road at 50 miles per hour, on the track at 100 miles per hour or more.

In case of doubt, contact your tyre specialist. Tyre and saving money do not go together, definitely not! When you buy new tyres, choose the correct ones for your car from a reputable tyre manufacturer. Cheap stuff usually is really cheap stuff - personal experiences of The Castiron in the last decades confirm this, as also tyre tests do!

In this context also a few words on the wheels. Of course, they must fit your car. To improve, The Castiron focuses on wheels that are light (preferably combined with a light tyre) and have an open design, which allows the brakes to do their job with as much fresh air as possible; sometimes it is opportune to get a wider track by choosing an appropriate wheel offset. And also here: cheap does not really work!

Have a safe and effective drive, on the road, on the track - and never forget the tyres, your very best confederates!

See you next Friday.

God bless you, all the best!

The Castiron

Photo: Tom van Egmond, Ersigen. Thank you Tom!

Recommendation:

www.cbmcint.com/signup-now