RD Visit Blancpain, Summary, Grid Walk and an Interview

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 30, 2017

In the last of our Blancpain GT Sprint Series / Sim Racing Expo videos, we take a tour of the grid and speak to the eventual GT Series Endurance champion., Andrea Caldarelli.

The Sim Racing Expo over in Germany was an incredible celebration of the virtual sport we all love, housed in the fantastic facilities at the German Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit and held during the weekend of the Blancpain GT Sprint Series race, both the Expo and the on track racing really did a wonderful job of representing the best of both real and virtual motorsport.

Whilst the main aim of RaceDepartment's visit to Germany would be to bring you the sim racing news and reviews from the expo itself, we couldn't resist a look around the paddock and the chance to take in some racing action featuring these incredible GT3 machines.

We were fortunate enough to be granted some wonderful access to the pits and paddock as well as a very cool bit of time out on the grid itself, where we had the opportunity to see the cars and stars up close before the beginning of the first race of the day on Sunday, the Blancpain GT Sprint Series qualification race.

Now seeing as we had a camera and microphone handy, we thought it would be fun to capture a bit of the excitement and atmosphere of the race build up, and while we were at it have a go to see if Martin Brundle needs to watch his back on the grid walk in future years.. not too sure how successful that was, but either way it was an incredibly cool experience, and one I hope you enjoy watching in our brief highlight video below:

How awesome was that?!?

antirussia81 · Oct 30, 2017

Awsome but could be a bit longer...

FeltHat · Oct 30, 2017

like early christmas

that sound at 3:11!

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 30, 2017

FeltHat said:
that sound at 3:11!

Aww man those cars

Seriously sound incredible to listen to them live. Exiting the pits or braking down into T1.... duuuuude that was incredible.

I thought I liked GT3 before this, now I know I love it!

I've only seen these types of car at Silverstone and Donington Park before, but to see them on a track like Nurbs was incredible. So very, very impressed..

FeltHat · Oct 30, 2017

I hope u wont crucify me but i didnt even try any of those in any sim at all, but now i have to

Somehow older cars like group5 looked more interesting to me. Luckily there's gtr3 race at Karlskoga this thursday

Im happy that you love it

looks like a lot of fun

M D Gourley · Oct 30, 2017

Paul Jeffrey said:
How awesome was that?!?

WOW...that was absolutely fantastic...keep up the great work RD

Stig Bidstrup · Oct 30, 2017

I see some potential here

, RD looks at bookmark events around europe in 2018 with small videos like this.
like : Le Mans Classic 2018 , Goodwood speed Festival, Talk with a few people, look at a few cars..
Sponsor breaks in the video will partly pay for travel expenses..
More people will see the RD logo = More members= More sponsores join in= And so on...
The highlight in 2018 will be that RD Video News follows Kimi Raikkonen a few hours in the days leading up to the Silverstone GP---okay I got carried away there

----No I didn't I mean it

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 30, 2017

Stig Bidstrup said:
I see some potential here , RD looks at bookmark events around europe in 2018 with small videos like this.
like : Le Mans Classic 2018 , Goodwood speed Festival, Talk with a few people, look at a few cars..

Well actually on that topic..........

2018 could be interesting, watch this space

ronniej · Oct 31, 2017

Paul Jeffrey said:
Aww man those cars

Seriously sound incredible to listen to them live. Exiting the pits or braking down into T1.... duuuuude that was incredible.

I thought I liked GT3 before this, now I know I love it!

I've only seen these types of car at Silverstone and Donington Park before, but to see them on a track like Nurbs was incredible. So very, very impressed..

Very intoxicating to be up close and personal. The sounds and the smell.
Look forward to more of this! Looks good on ya too, major network in the horizon Paul?

RaceWasGood · Oct 31, 2017

Thanks! Great job as usual

MarcG · Oct 31, 2017

Grid Walks are great, I did the Bathurst 1000 Grid Walk in 2014 and it was simply immense.

Steve Worrell · Oct 31, 2017

Awesome video. Great production.

Minolin · Oct 31, 2017

Very professional and entertaining, wow. But lol that RD microphone tops everything

Rob Every · Oct 31, 2017

I agree actually with earlier posts.

I remember the guys who ran the awful Simraceway used to meet up at a few meetings every year, be nice to do that a few times with like minded folk.

All too easy to lose yourself in the online world and not realise there is stuff to watch people to meet and friends to make with a same interest.

I am not a member here as I do not like league racing and can find all I need without it. But I value the opinions of most people here and value the discussions and the way the forums are moderated. Far too many forums are over policed now but this place gets it just about right and are not easily influenced as many other sites are.

Nick Hill · Oct 31, 2017

antirussia81 said:
Awsome but could be a bit longer...

That's what she said!

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 31, 2017

Rob Every said:
I agree actually with earlier posts.

I remember the guys who ran the awful Simraceway used to meet up at a few meetings every year, be nice to do that a few times with like minded folk.

All too easy to lose yourself in the online world and not realise there is stuff to watch people to meet and friends to make with a same interest.

I am not a member here as I do not like league racing and can find all I need without it. But I value the opinions of most people here and value the discussions and the way the forums are moderated. Far too many forums are over policed now but this place gets it just about right and are not easily influenced as many other sites are.

Thank you Rob and everyone else who has commented

Totally agree Rob about arranging some get together with the community at various events. This is something that has been discussed at length internally many times, and is something we are continuing to investigate the potential of. I can say we have the appetite to do arrange something like this, it is just a case of sorting the fine detail and logistics. Will keep you all posted on that subject

Rob Every said:
am not a member here as I do not like league racing

Don't forget we do casual club racing too

Nevini · Oct 31, 2017

Wow, well impressed, was half expecting Murray Walker to appear as your sidekick ;-)

Bram Hengeveld · Oct 31, 2017

I think 2018 is going to be a great year

Well done guys

Deleted member 387850 · Oct 31, 2017

That view of sector 1 at the 4min mark is just incredible ... great video!

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 31, 2017

suspectmonkey said:
That view of sector 1 at the 4min mark is just incredible ... great video!

You know what, for a Formula One venue the views are actually pretty good all round the circuit. We didn't get chance to check out the full track, but the grandstand on the outside of T1 was nice with a fairly good view, the view you mentioned above was also great, especially when the driver change came round, and the spot just on the exit of turn 5 (?) was also nice. I'm actually quite impressed, far superior to similar sized tracks such as Silverstone.

Also worth noting was the sheer scale of the whole venue, the facilities and everything are frankly outstanding. Very impressed with the whole thing, top notch!

Oh and they have an old track next to it, bit long and boring from what I hear.. never heard of the place before so it's probably not important....