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.

have fun you dogg

been to Stuggart, looked at the Porsches but didn't get to drive any

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

Now THAT'S a road trip! Have fun!

you're gonna have a blast!
enjoy the trip

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.

you suck

have fun! come back in one piece with pics you luck bastard!

have a good trip!

and slip the factory guys an extra fifty to let you in the secret parts warehouse.

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!
Andy

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"

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!

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

Well, I'm off, thanks for the info/advice Andy, take care all.

Later, Don

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

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?!?

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!!!

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

Don

If you have a chance to get to Esslingen, go to the main post and ask for Sylvia. Tell her Kurt says



Just kidding (a little bit...) Sounds like a blast. Take lot's of pics.

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

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

k

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 Yeah, better not do that.

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...

Ok, here goes. I am using a computer at the hotel, it has a German keyboard, some of the letters are mixed around, so bear with me, plus the kezboard szmbols are different, oh zeah, lol.

Todaz went for a walk around central Sttugart, it is a verz prettz citz (can zou guess which letter has been switched on the kezboard zet). I can t find the apostrophe either or mz computer to open the pictures. Anzwaz, lol. I went to a Historz museum, it was mind boggling. The Crown Jewels, Suits of Armor, Swords(big & small), Ivorz Inlad muskets and rifles, Stained Glass windows, 13th to 19th centurz artwork. Tried to take pictures, but with the No Flash restriction, I smeared them, just can t hold the camera steadz enough at low light levels. I need a tripod thingz. I ll pick one up tomorrow and go back. The pictures outside and with flash came out ok. I took so manz pictures inside the museum, the batteries in mz camera were hot when I changed them. Whoa.

Oh zeah, the spell checker doesn t work either, works for German, but not for English, so the spelling isn t mz fault this time.

Had brunch at a nice resterant in the reallz big shopping mall about a block awaz from the hotel. The German idea of a salad is a lot different than ours. It had a little romain lettece, sourkraut, potatoes, and some other stuff I m not sure of, but it was sure good.

While walking around the reallz big mall, there was quite a few street performers, even saw 3 Indians in War Paint (Native American is PC, but I ve never been too PC). Hope thez do well.

Todaz is Sundaz, so the onlz thing that seems to be open in the museums and resterants, all the shops and banks are closed. Changed some monez at the hotel, then found out thez have a 10% service charge, looking for a bank tomorrow first thing. The exchange rate is prettz poor right now. A cup of coffee at the hotel cost 10 dollars this morning, heart attach starting. A half liter bottle of water at the mall was over 2 dollars. In mz room there is a small refer, the small bottle of wine in it is 28 euro s. Reallz getting some sticker shock here, bring lots of monez. But what the hell, that s what credit cards are for. There is a McDonalds at the mall, zeah, that s the ticket.

The hotel is definetlz top of the line, thez even have the TV piped into the bathroom. I was watching the F1 quals last night, went into the bathroom, came back, porn adds were on, seems zou can get porn sent to zour camera phone now, couldn t believe that one, lol. Oh well, each to his own. An other reason not to get a camera phone, talk about spam, how bout at the office, etc.

Just about over the time change, legs, etc are doing ok. All in all I like it here.

Mz brand new Porsche Pen that I bought at the POC Tribute to Le Mans a couple of months ago broke, I ll trz to turn it in for warrentz repairs when I visit the Porsche Factorz.

Take Care, Don

In keeping with the finest traditions of the 914 club cheap bastards, I will be moving to a new hotel tomorrow. Just found out that I'm pazing 363 dollars (270 Euro's) a daz for a room at the Graf Zepplin, ouch, lol. There's a Best Western about 1 km from here for 135 (98 Euro's) a daz, the difference in price is 1 1/2 sets of tires for the RS America, 3 sets of tires for the 914-6. Or that 8.1 mp camera I've been looking at, did the math. Actuallz found out bz accident, the room prices are listed in the computer room, lol. Should have figured it out sooner. Ordered a cup, zes 1 cup of coffee this morning, the bill was 7 Euro's, or about 9-10 bucks. That wasn't room service either, lol. Don't get me wrong, this is a great hotel, with a lot of features, but thez are things I'll never use, would rather have the tires.

And I'll be back here for the Treffin Tour, the hotel was included, I just figured might as well show up earlz and see as much of Sttugart as I can, instead of just flzing over, do the tour, flz back.

Anzwaz, the saga continues, take care, Don

Don, buy your drinks at the supermarket, like every one else does
7 euro for a cup of coffee is re-f-ing-dick-u-lous

QUOTE (Jeroen @ Jun 12 2005, 07:12 PM)

Don, buy your drinks at the supermarket, like every one else does 7 euro for a cup of coffee is re-f-ing-dick-u-lous

50 cents for a can of good beer is max.

39 cents for the cheap stuff ...
Andy

QUOTE (ein 6er @ Jun 11 2005, 05:00 PM)

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?!? 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!!!

They really DO drive better over there, they pay attention and don't usually drive with their dicks....

Well, moved to the Best Western, got a room in the wing that opened about a month ago, price is less than half that of the Graf Zeppelin, rooms twice as big. Did the math, will save enough for new racing tires for both the 914-6 and the RS America, works for me. Oh yeah, Best Western comes with a free breakfast too, no more $10 coffees for me.

Later, Don

Finished the tour, ended last night. We had 3 people out of 20 get sick during the tour, all pretty similar symtoms. The Autobahn was great, cruised between 220-230kph (137-143 mph), with a maximum sustained speed of 265+kph (165 mph) for a bit over 10 minutes until traffic slowed me down to 220, that was on early Sunday morning, Yeee Haw!!! After around 9:00- 9:30 traffic started getting heavier. I've attached a picture of the rental Porsche they gave me, you're gonna love it.

The black one was a 997, on Sunday I traded it for a silver 997S. Pretty wild rental cars, lol. In total we had 3 996 turbos, 5 997's, and 2 996 C4S's. We had 2 drivers per car, switched drivers approx every 1 1/2 hours. I can't prononce the names of the places we went, but I've taken over 400 pictures so far. The places we stayed overnight at were all 5 star.
The food was that fancy french stuff, ya know, a dab of this, a dab of that, squirted with some red stuff. Did find a McDonalds and Burger King, so I won't starve trying to survive on the fancy stuff.

QUOTE (DonTraver @ Jun 20 2005, 01:17 AM)

I've attached a picture of the rental Porsche they gave me, you're gonna love it.

we need more pictures!

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Jun 20 2005, 05:45 PM)

we need more pictures!

because...

Here's the 997S I was driving Sunday from the hotel Bad Schachen to Stuttgard.

View from my room at the hotel Bad Schachen, I could see Austria and Switzerland across the lake

Really old fort in Stuttgart for dinner

Hotel Bad Schachen

That sounds, and looks like a great trip, Don.. thanks for sharing it..

Weeeenie tuner paint jobs on those cars!


M

Taking a break in the Black Forest

Next 2 are of this walled city, can't spell it, starts with a R

Oh yeah, and it's a big time tourist trap, the prices are very high. I didn't buy anything, lol.

Saturday at Snow White's Castle, only got up to 229 kph that day, damn traffic

Driving thru the Black Forest. The German countyside is beautiful.

Now that's a wall, built before the age of power tools. If I remember the info, this wall is a couple of kilometers long, surrounds the whole city.

Porsche Museum, wouldn't this look good in a 914.

QUOTE (DonTraver @ Jun 21 2005, 10:31 AM)

Next 2 are of this walled city, can't spell it, starts with a R

Rothenburg (ob der Tauber)

Great place to run around as a kid. I'm a lucky cuss.

Cathedral in Stuttgard, there's a lot of them

Heading for the autobahn Saturday morning.

QUOTE (DonTraver @ Jun 21 2005, 10:33 AM)

Oh yeah, and it's a big time tourist trap

Yup, they discovered that there is money in being a place that time forgot for long enough for it to become one of the best preserved medieval towns around. The day my wife & I were there the square was filled with Morgans. Quite a sight!

I'm really jealous Don. If you have more pics, please, please post them!

I have a lot more, will post them after I get home this weekend. Take Care, off tô play tourist.