Nurburgring fast lap

[don]

I think this M3 GTR drive has been posted quite a lot else where, but it is well worth a look for those like myself who haven't driven around the ring.

http://www.dgtalpimp.com/m3_gtr_nurburgring.wmv (55 MB).

Curious to know what lap time that sort of pace can achieve?

[bakerdcb]

I'd be happy to get something like that on my PS2 (GT4) let alone for real. No wonder he's pleased at the end. Quite brilliant driving.

[Nordschleife]

comparing ring lap times is difficult.

On ordinary open days, only the old circuit is in use, the GT circuit will be closed off for other purposes. Then you cannot do flying laps as you have to pull in at the end of each lap. So what happens is that people publish times BTG, or 'bridge to gantry', ie from going under the bridge at the start of the lap to the gantry near the end. Then they, usually optimistically, estimate how long it would take them to travel between the Gantry and the Bridge on a flying lap and come up with a synthetic lap time.
During Motor Industry Pool weeks, the old pits up by the turn off to the GP circuit are in use and flying laps are timed. A very few journalists manage to run a flying lap for their published comaparison times, it involves closing the circuit for lunch and pulling one flying lap and then reversing back to the new entrance.
During races, it is different again, as well as the old circuit the cars use the new pits so they go onto the GP course as well. On the GP course they can do they short GP course or the long GP course, it depends on the meeting. So times are hard to compare.
As far as the M3GTR is concverned, the car came first and second this year in the 24 hour race. So its very fast, and Hansi Stuck knows a thing or two about peddling fast. The lap in question was driven well within the capabilities of car and driver.

On the subject of actual times, there is a general tendency to say less and less about this. Unless they are being paid to race or test a car, its noticable that the professionals tend to lap well within their personal limits and do not talk overmuch about times. And, yes, WR is paid to set benchmark times, so these are talked about.

Chasing lap times is dangerous at this place. People get killed on a regular basis, even good safe knowledgable people. These guys are our friends, we go back time after time for the fun of driving the place, not in persuit of lap times.

So when you do make your first trip, please leave the Monaro at home, you will have more fun in an Opel Speedster and don't time your laps, they won't mean much anyway for the first 100 laps. The combination of a driver not used to the ring and more car than they can cope with is not a pretty one!

[Scotty]

I've not timed my laps for about three years. It's all about the feel good vide you get when you tie one lap up nicely. I'm concerned this year that with the publicity TopGear has given the 'ring (including more coverage in the season that starts this week) that there will be a lot more younger hot headed drivers all of whom will be out to prove they can lap quicker than Clarskon. i.e. inside 10 minutes.

I've got a horrid feeling that this year there be more accidents than normal.

[don]

I agree, Nurburgring looks like it can be a particularly dangerous track for the uninitiated. I would doubt a novice could achieve very consistent lap times on such a long and diverse, and shall we say committed course. So yes, why bother timing and sliding yourself into a wall for the sake of a few seconds here and there.

However, this is obviously a professional driver in complete control. I recall only noticing one incidence of slight oversteer. Never the less the frightening speed reminds me of WRC driving. I still find it interesting to see how different classes of car compare when driven by seasoned drivers.

[Nordschleife]

Hans Stuck is one of the most experienced saloon car racers in the world. he is also one of the world's grear clowns and show offs. When doing camera laps at the 'Ring there is a tradition of 'doing it large', Hansi was playing up to his audience. For years he drove for Audi, his father drove for Auto Union before the war, the Stucks are part of Audi's larger family. Even today you will find Hansi in the Audi private dining area at the the races, trying to pull two birds young ernough to be his grand daughters at the same time.

What few people who have not driven there realise, is that the circuit covers such a large area that the weather is changable round the lap, and that often you find yourself on slicks because 75% is dry, and having an 'interesting time' for the remainder of the lap. It also gets foggy, and hails, and snows - great stuff when racing round the clock.
R+C

[DuncS3]

Just watched this vid - awesome - really worth viewing

One day I'll make a trip over to the Ring

Dunc

[Diesel]

Amazing - I was lifting MILES before he did on that last final straight [dottinger hohe]. Still shaking now

Dunc - I'm with you! Slicks go in the back of yours, Louis Vuiton in mine:)

[guyparfitt]

Went to the ring for the first time a month or so back for the first time and I agree with the comment on lap times....its not worth comparing too much as its really about ring experience rather than vehicle.

I saw many a super car caned by a lesser vehicle. For example, Porsche GT3 ( and there are loads there -yawn, yawn ) struggling to keep up with a Piat Punto....seriously!

Another sight you may be interested in - one guy took over from UK an RS6, tuned with Nitros ( he maybe on here as this is only my second post!), apparently throwing out 700BHP. He did one lap, came off the circuit and his engine caught fire......not a nice sight to see flames coming out of the louvres on the bonnet....

I did time myself, but just to give an idea rather than to compare...

[Scotty]

When you see the RingMini over take 911's and all sorts of exotica on the 'ring then you know that it's mainly about knowledge and ability.




Take a look at the large version of this one



HERE

[guyparfitt]

...although that mini has a honda civic type R engine in it and little else, so it is extremely quick...

The bloke who drives it is also a nutter....he came flying up behind me on one of the roads just off the ring and handbrake turned in the middle of the road! Scared the b'jesus out of me as I wasn't sure what he was doing!

By the way, I meant Fiat Punto not Piat...slip of the keyboard!