Nurburgring over here, Nurburgring over there. Anyway! There is no automobile conversation that ends without mentioning, at least once, the word Nurburgring…
The most skeptical after reading the first paragraph will ask: And what's the problem? To which I will reply: None! In fact, whenever I talk about the Nurburgring I feel a little flutter in my stomach. Yea! It's exactly that feeling we all experience when we kiss someone for the first time. It's creepy.
Nurburgring is much more than just a circuit. For many it is a way of life…! Unfortunately, and although I've already been there, I still haven't had the privilege of covering the 22 km of asphalt of “Inferno Verde”. Just to give you an idea, some say that after completing the first round at the Nurburgring, the satisfaction of having an orgasm is no longer the same. Adrenaline, fear and emotion coupled with pleasure make that circuit your #1 satisfaction.
On August 19, 2009, the Dutch driver, committed the madness of completing a 20km lap in just 6:48s. But no matter how good a “nail kit” you have, none of this would have happened if Vergers hadn't been behind the wheel of a Radical SR8 LM. This animal is the owner and master of a 2.8 liter V8 ready to deliver 455 hp of power at 10,500 rpm! This, added to its beautiful silhouette and its featherweight of 733 kg, could only result in something very good:
It should be noted that this is the best time in the category of legal cars to circulate on public roads. Although it is not common to see a car like this on the streets, this one is authorized to do so.
In this same list, we can also find other magnificent machines:
3rd / Gumpert Apollo Sport / 7:11.57 / 2009
4th / Dodge Viper ACR / 7:12.13 / 2011
5th / Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package / 7:14.64 / 2011
6th / Donkervoort D8 RS / 7:14.89 / 2006
7th / Porsche 911 GT2 RS / 7:18.00 / 2010
9th / Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 / 7:19.63 / 2011
13th / Nissan GT-R / 7:24.22 / 2010
16th / Ferrari Enzo / 7:25.7 / 2008
20th / Porsche Carrera GT / 7:28.0 / 2004
Anyway, the collection is huge and as you can imagine, this list undergoes several changes with each passing year. If you want to see the complete list, go through this link.
And even if you don't have a car (or a license) you can always take a taxi. Yea! They read it well, take a taxi… For example, just talk to the people at BMW and have the fantastic opportunity to catch a ride on a “chrome” on the asphalt (ex: Andy Priaulx). And as if having an excellent driver were not enough, they will still enjoy the power of a BMW M5. There are 560 hp on the loose at the Nurburgring!
This is an excellent opportunity to learn from the best and feel up close the strength of one of the best German cars for these journeys. Ah! But I forgot to say something important: To be able to take advantage of this offer, you only have to pay 216€ per return. But smile, you can divide the bill by 3 passengers, unless you want to go alone.
There are also plenty of trackday cars for rent. So, if you are passionate about speed and like to feel the adrenaline pouring out of your pores as quickly as Mr. Vale e Azevedo left Portugal, all that remains is for you to go as quickly as possible to Germany and quench that hunger of adrenaline.
Few professional European drivers have ever been there, and this perfectly portrays the meaning of the Nurburgring for the automotive world. It's there that you can see who is an artist and who doesn't have any knack for it. The first time I go there I'll try to beat a record… even if it's the worst lap ever!
Text: Tiago Luís