Here's a lap of the Nurburgring with Derek Bell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M11G...7CF36B&index=7

 

Thanks Deb for the video!

That is one challenging circuit... FAST, FAST, FAST, with almost every kind of corner imaginable. It truly takes a talented individual behind the wheel to turn a fast lap here not to mention a brave one what with all those blind rises leading to a corner. I couldn't believe how quickly Jacky Ickx drove away from Dereck Bell after zipping past him... Simply incredible!

 

Yeah, I noticed that--amazing that he so casually talks about going 150, 175, or whatever. Pretty big numbers for such a blind circuit!

Did anyone catch the Top Gear episode where Sabine Schmitz drove a VAN around the 'Ring?

 

I missed that one. Ms Schmitz driving a Van around the 'Ring trying to beat Jeremy Clarksons time wasn't it? That must have been a hoot and I'll bet that she probably did beat him, yes?

I love Top Gear it's a great show!

A van around the 'Ring at full chat with Sabine driving v. Clarkson, Hammond & May in another (respectively), then add the Stig to the mix... That would be entertaining!

 

You know what they say, once it's on television, it's always on the internet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQJKQjXpGQA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc

You're welcome!

 

My folks did the Overseas Delivery Program with Volvo and bought a C30 T5. Naturally they made it down to the Ring and did a lap....albeit, not a fast one. But that's still pretty cool and more laps than I've done.

While I'm on that subject, if anyone ever gets the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it, even if it's in the winter, you can go through the museum. Very cool, with lots of old-school and new-school F1, sports cars, and etc on display. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to drive the track, but I still had a big smile on my face!

 

We took EuroDelivery on a BMW 325i Coupe, and it was a lot of fun--something I also recommend. In 3 1/2 weeks we put exactly (to the mile!) 3000 miles, including a trip up through Scandanavia, and over to England via ferry.

I don't plan to do the 'Ring, thing, though. Hubby didn't like hearing my screams when he did Road America in the 530. Now, if Sabine drove, I'd be interested...

 

Thank you very much Deb!

 

Thanks Deb for the link! Much appreciated!

I will say this... That lady (Sabine) can drive, oh yes she can!

A truly virtuoso performance! Who would have thought that a van could blow off a bike(s) or Porsche on the 'Ring!

My goodness, I would love to take a crack at the 'Ring, in a proper car of course... a JCW maybe...

Note to self... (Add "Drive the Nurburgring" to my bucket list).

 

You seem to be such a spirited soul , so I just cannot envision you screaming while doing a lap at RA... .

The Kink (T-11) must have been a real hoot for you then, yes?

 

Spirited, yes. Chicken, somewhat. If I rode with Sabine, Schumacher, Hamilton, etc., etc., in any of THEIR cars, I'd be fine. My idea of fun doesn't extend to riding with my HUSBAND, in OUR car, in a pack of cars driving "somewhat" above the speed limit that we'd been admonished to obey in the parade laps we'd purchased at the vintage car races a few years ago.

Now, if you want to see someone who's totally fearless, check out this thread on my daughter, also a MINI and BMW driver:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...le-faster.html

It refers back to another website, but there are other links as well.

(What's the Kink? Or T-11? When I see a T number like that, I think of the thoracic vertebrae, as in T-12, which is what I broke when I hit the tree.)

 

Wow -- What a lady!

 

Who, Michelle? Yup--and you don't know the half of it! Her original MINI was a LY convertible, and her "handle" on the Metroplex site is Topless Blonde. Get it?

She's since partially defected and bought a black BMW 135 convertible. I say partially, because her Hubby has a Checkmate MCS, so she still can drive whatever suits her fancy. And drive she does, having taken advanced driver training courses, and regularly autocrossing with the local BMW club.

I'm pretty proud of her, but who wouldn't be?

 

I can see where you would make that association. T-11 is not one of the Thoracic vertabrae, but it is one of the most deceptive and daunting turns in all of motorsport.

T-11 or Turn #11 at Road America is called The Kink and if you ever get the opportunity to visit RA and walk the course take the time to inspect Turn 11... the walls on either side are decorated with many, many, pretty multicolored swaths of paint that are imbedded into the concrete... a momento of where a race car has impacted into the barrier.

The following website belonging to Mike Mulcahy Motorsports, gives a very good description of the circuit.

http://www.mikemulcahy.com/rdamerlap.htm


Here is a portion of it where he describes The Kink...


<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">THE KINK! The kink, (turn 11), has claimed many an amateur, pro, and vintage racer over the years. My partner once completely totaled an original 1968 Trans-Am Coupe here while I watched in my rear view mirror in horror! The same day a 1966 Shelby bit the dust! The kink is deceptively fast but must be treated with respect.

Remember we are in fourth gear approaching the kink, I brush the brakes with my left foot while lifting for a second or two on the accelerator.


<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">An early turn in is the safest and probably preferred line into the kink for a safe and secure passage. If you get wide and put a tire off at speed the result usually ends in a tank slapping incident with the drivers left armco, then a head on trip across the track into a three foot wide cement barrier. If you get off on the left, decelerate and get things together before pulling back on. If you have to smack the armco, hug it until you’ve stopped. It’s easier and less costly to repair the driver's side of your car than have to cut the thing up and throw it away!


Oh here's some video of what can happen if something goes wrong at The Kink...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZV-_dcaFos&NR=1

 

Yes, I remember that post and I posted a thread in it... Yup your daughter Michelle is an inspiration... Quite the lady and very cool!

 

Hmmm--no, I don't remember screaming any louder at the Kink. I did find it interesting to run through Canada Corner, where I've seen a number of spins.

 

There's always the option of being driven around in the Ring Taxi (BMW M5). I think it was about 120Euros, so if you have more people it's cheaper as it's divided over all of the occupants in the car. I'm told the Ring Taxi will deliver an 8 min. lap....I think. If that's not fast enough for you, they also have the same kind of deal where you're driven around in a Viper....except it's faster and more expensive.

 

Right--that's probably what I'd do.

 

Just saw this--if you're going to goof up, do it right:

http://www.wreckedexotics.com/newpho...0723_010.shtml

 

That was VERY cool, but since we all share a particular vehicular interest.....here's my favorite.....a little MINI Cooper 'Ring goodness!

Mini Cooper S JCW GP on the Nuerburgring Nordschleife 2009

Ok, it's not Sabine, but the guy has skills (anybody know who that is?). Be sure to check out his other 'Ring vids too.

 

Thanks kurvhugr for the link!

Nice lap of the 'Ring... you're right this guy is no slouch.

I really enjoyed watching this guy pass the bikes and the Porsche... Cool!

Hmm maybe it's Top Gear's hotshoe, The Stig on holiday...

 

Some say...he sleeps inside-out.

Some say...his mother is a spider.

Some say...his head is on sideways.

Some say...he has 3 eyes.

Some say...

 

All we know is that he's called... The Stig!

 

I'm sure few (if any?) of you are paying attention just now but that episode of Top Gear is on RIGHT NOW!
----------------------
correction: I don't know which original episode includes the Sabine/van/'Ring segment. The episode tonight is actually the "Best of Season 7" episode. If you're interested and you've missed it, they're airing it again at midnite EST.

 

The "Best of" program I watched tonight wasn't the one at the 'Ring, but it did include the segment where they buy cheap vans and go through various exercises. I loved watching Jeremy "loading" his Transit van. As in, throwing dishes from 20 paces away, etc...

Those guys have such fun!

The segment that was so hilarious tonight was when they tried to "kill" a pickup. Bashing it into a tree, drowning it for hours in the sea, seriously burning it, and finally leaving it at the top of an imploding 21 story building--nothing worked. The darned thing STILL started up when their mechanic tinkered with it (no new parts, parking lot surgery only).