Off to Stuggart and the Autobaun, with 997 Porsche rental car Options

[DonTraver]

WoooHoooo, leaving for Stuggart in a few hours to go on a Porsche sonsored tour, includes a new 997 coupe rental car. It's the PCA Treffin Tour. Also get hot laps on Porsche's factory test track, full factory tour, cruise the mountain roads of Bavaria and stay at 5 star hotels.

There's is also a Fall Treffin Tour, put on by Fast Lane Travel at fastlanetravel.com

I've never been to Europe, and have always dreamed of driving the autobaun in a Porsche. Porsche and Fast Lane put my dream vacation together. There will be about 20 people on this tour. Everyone gets their our Porsche rental car. The price is around $2500 plus air fare, really pretty reasonable considering what the tour includes.

I'll send pictures, maybe pictures of me doing 150+ in that 997, yeah, that's the ticket.

[Mueller]

have fun you dogg (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

been to Stuggart, looked at the Porsches but didn't get to drive any (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/MDB2.gif)

[ThinAir]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/drooley.gif)

[jim912928]

Stuttgart is such a cool place..I used to go there about once a quarter for almost 3 years. Visit the black forest also!

[Gint]

Now THAT'S a road trip! Have fun!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/peelout.gif)

[Jeroen]

you're gonna have a blast!
enjoy the trip

[ppickerell]

I can't wait to see the pictures. Let's hope the French backing out of the EU continues to destabilize the Euro making it minutely more affordable to go on such tours. We may take summer 06 delivery of a Cayman with this sort of tour involved.

[tat2dphreak]

you suck (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/flipa.gif)

have fun! come back in one piece with pics you luck bastard! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

[brer]

have a good trip!

and slip the factory guys an extra fifty to let you in the secret parts warehouse. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif)

[SirAndy]

QUOTE (DonTraver @ Jun 9 2005, 06:06 PM)

I've never been to Europe, and have always dreamed of driving the autobaun in a Porsche.

drive careful, the Autobahn is not like the freeways you're used to!
most parts are only 2 lanes, some are 3 lanes.

a few tips:

left lane is for *fast* driving only, which also means merging lanes is much more dangerous than around here if you're not used to judge the speed of a car coming up on you from behind.
watch your mirrors. a lot.
a car twice as fast as you will look far away in the mirror and by the time you changed lanes, he'll be in your rear trunk. literally ...

only use the left lanes for passing. if you're not going faster than the guy to your right, you're in the *wrong* lane!

NEVER EVER pass on the right! not only is it illegal, but highly dangerous.
no one over there expects to be passed on the right.

onramps/offramps go parallel to the autobahn for at least 300 yards.
when coming off, don't break while still in the right lane, move into the offramp and use the 300 yards to slow down ...
when getting on, as soon as the onramp straightens out, HIT the gas to the floor, you'll need to get up to speed with the slow lane traffic within the next 300 yards.
do *NOT* stop on the onramp looking for a gap in traffic. you will be rearended ...
slow lane traffic usually moves at around 60-80mph ...

when you see brakelights ahead, be very alert!
people only brake when there really is a reason to slow down. most cars are stickshift, so you won't see the "hit the brakes but don't slow down" syndrom you're used to here in CA ...

there will never be an exit or onramp to the left. ever. your exit will always be on the right.

contrary to popular believe, there are parts of the autobahn that have speed limits.
adhere to them. the police will *not* follow you (like here in the US) but they *will* have radar traps that take your picture and you (or the rental company) will get the ticket in the mail ...

suggested cruising speed (not for the fast lane!) is 130km/h (about 80mph) ...

try to stay with the flow. no sudden lane changes. use your turn signals!

those are the basics. follow them and you'll have a great time!
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/driving.gif) Andy

[Jeroen]

what Andy said...

the on-ramps are pretty short in Germany
not a big deal really, cause the drivers in the right lane usually move a lane to the left to let you merge
this is also important to know when you're driving (fast) on the left lane, so you can anticipate that the drivers on the right lane will move to your lane when an on-ramp is near
slow down a little and give them a chance, you'll be back to speed in no time again

like Andy said, keep checking your mirrors when overtaking!
the cars in the left lane may very well be doing twice the speeds the cars on the right lane do

if someone faster than you is behind you, move to the right!
if the car behind you has its their turn signal to the left, they're kindly asking you to "move the fuck to the right lane so I can pass" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

on parts where road-construction is going on, follow the speedlimits
they're very strict in enforcing those...
once you're out of the construction zone, you'll be back up to speed very fast again, so most of the time they're not a big deal

once you're off the autobahn, you'll find that most Germans drive relatively slow and keep to the speed limits

once you get used to it, you'll find the attitude on the Autobahn very relaxed (most of the time anyway) compared to other european countries...

oh... roadsigns (directions) on the highways in europe are a bit different too
no north/east/south/west, just directions to the next big city and road numbers

have fun and keep checking those mirrors!

[ChrisFix]

While your there you should also check out the Mercedes museum on the other side of town.

[DonTraver]

Well, I'm off, thanks for the info/advice Andy, take care all. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

Later, Don

[DonTraver]

Well I made it, massive jet lag. Here's a pic of the view from my hotel room at the Graf Zeppelin. On second thought, no pic, can't resize it. Way too big, high def 5.0mp. Take Care All, Don

[ein 6er]

QUOTE

a few tips: left lane is for *fast* driving only, which also means merging lanes is much more dangerous than around here if you're not used to judge the speed of a car coming up on you from behind. watch your mirrors. a lot

QUOTE

only use the left lanes for passing.

QUOTE

NEVER EVER pass on the right!

QUOTE

when coming off, don't break while still in the right lane, move into the offramp and use the 300 yards to slow down ...

QUOTE

f someone faster than you is behind you, move to the right!

QUOTE

there will never be an exit or onramp to the left. ever.

QUOTE

watch your mirrors. a lot.

now why can't people in the u.s. drive like this?!? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif)

here are a few tips to help europeans fit in if they drive in the u.s. ..........

don, feel free to print these tips and distribute them around germany.

the left lane is >YOUR< lane, feel free to use it whenever you want, drive as slow as you want and for as long as you want. after all..... you may need to take an exit on the left ..... within the next 1,000 or so miles.

if a faster vehicle approaches from behind while you are in >your< lane, simply ignore them. if they flash their lights at you, give them the middle finger salute and continue to ignore them, they can pass you on the right, that is what the right lane is for anyway. (note: now, is when you may want to check that your gun is locked and loaded). why should >you< have to get out of >their< way???

when you've neared your exit, slow down a good mile before the exit, wait until the last possible moment to leave your left lane and without bothering to look in your mirrors, whip across the inside lane(s) taking care not to interrupt your cell phone conversation.

mirrors are only for checking your personal appearence, shaving, combing hair and for the ladies, applying makeup.

turn signals are optional equipment on u.s. vehicles. anyway, using turns signals is a safety hazard, one hand is on the wheel and the other is holding the cell phone. it would be >very< dangerous to remove your one hand from the steering wheel long enough to flip the singal on. all u.s. drivers are mind readers, they will know if you are changing lanes or turning.

oh ..... and remember, always tap your brakes from time to time to let the drivers behind you know that you are a safe driver and you are ready to stop quickly for any emergency.

that's all the tips i can think of now, maybe others can add some tips of their own.

i hope these "tips" help some foreign drivers avoid any problems while driving on our interstates. because >we< really HATE bad drivers!!!


BTW ... enjoy the treffen and post lots of pics!!! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wavey.gif)

[914GT]

Damn, I remember Stuttgart. Been there twice. And Sindelfingen/Boeblingen closeby. Took a tour of the Mercedes factory in Sindelfingen. I believe there's a nice Porsche museum in Stuttgart. Go down south and a cool castle in Hohenzollern. Up northwest is Heidelberg. A spectacular church in Ulm southeast of Stuttgart. Lots of shit to do and see. Drink some great beer and eat fresh pretzels in in Alpersbach in the Black Forest. I'd sure like to go back there. Have fun. As they say, watch those big Mercedes coming up in the passing lane, they are hauling ass. Remember, ausfahrt is not the name of a town off the autobahn (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

[Verruckt]

Don

If you have a chance to get to Esslingen, go to the main post and ask for Sylvia. Tell her Kurt says (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/finger.gif)



Just kidding (a little bit...) Sounds like a blast. Take lot's of pics. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[DonTraver]

Found Esslingen on the map, with that symbol on your post, not sure I want to see Sylvia, are you sure I won't get caught in the middle of something?

I'm staying at the Graf Zeppelin Hotel, rm 421, if any of our European members are in the area, stop by, we'll do dinner or something, the Porsche trip starts on the 15th, ends on the 21st, I'm not leaving until the 24th.

Later, Don

[rhodyguy]

unless previously mentioned tailgating is a BIG no no. enjoy the grid lock in the frankfurt, manhiem corridor.

k

[Verruckt]

QUOTE (DonTraver @ Jun 12 2005, 09:02 AM)

Found Esslingen on the map, with that symbol on your post, not sure I want to see Sylvia, are you sure I won't get caught in the middle of something? I'm staying at the Graf Zeppelin Hotel, rm 421, if any of our European members are in the area, stop by, we'll do dinner or something, the Porsche trip starts on the 15th, ends on the 21st, I'm not leaving until the 24th. Later, Don

LoL (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/lol2.gif) Yeah, better not do that. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

I envy you, this time of year there is awesome! Have a blast out there.

One thing you might do is head out towards the big autobahn there. Is it the 11??? Early on sunday mornings the really rich boys and there toys get out and "play". Was fun to sit out up on the side of the hill and watch the red blurs go by... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif)