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Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

arstechnica.com

11–20 of 91 posts

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#12
post #8

It wasn't unbreakable, nobody was trying to break it. Nobody wants to risk multi-million dollar, one-of-a-kind race cars on that track just for bragging rights. An unrestricted F1 car could've smashed the record at any point in the last 20 years.

Porsche actually approached Stefan Bellof's family for permission for the attempt out of respect for both him and the record.

I wouldn't underestimate the kudos given to 'ring lap times, especially in the past few years. Admittedly mostly focused on lower categories rather than the outright record.

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#14
Comically fast, like video-game-I-can-just-hit-restart fast. A couple highlights of that YouTube video from sections of the track that are notoriously difficult:

[YouTube Time]

00:49 -> 00:53 - Flugplatz at nearly 170mph is insane. Total trust in downforce and makes up many seconds if done right.

01:13 -> 01:25 - Fuchsrohre bottoming out at 200+ mph is nuts.

03:15 -> 03:20 - Interesting that Timo avoids the carousel.

04:21 -> 04:31 - Pflanzgarten into SBS topping at nearly 200mph. Suspension setup is huge here.

List of the sections:

http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/fans-info/race-tracks/nordschl...

Nobody in motorsports really thought Bellof's record was unbreakable, just that it was left intact out of respect and the obvious conclusion that any mfr could crush it if they so desired. The 919 Evo holds the Spa Record because the F1 record was done under all sorts of homologation restrictions. A sub-5 Ring time would easily be possible with a non-homologated F1 car similar to this unrestricted 919.

Still eagerly awaiting VW's Pike's Peak video. This has been the year of toppling track records!

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#15
post #11
post #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBFjHjm0O5M

What is that "7 years 30 days" countdown in the lower right hand corner?

>I have been chasing the 'perfect lap' for 7 years with no traffic, no road works, fresh air, dry track, no driving mistakes and a reliable drivetrain.

Sounds like that's how long he's been chasing a sub-10-minute lap

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#16
As the years go by the Nürburgring gets ever more legendary. It is better known now than when they hosted F1 races on the smaller circuit they have there.

You could imagine it was designed by sick Nazis to kill racing drivers however it predates max-Nazi-ism and was designed for testing cars, not drivers. Hence tomorrow everyone will have forgotten who got the fastest lap but they will remember what car they were in.

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#17
5:19 almost seems impossible. I think we will see sub 5 minutes within the next 5 years at this rate.

It seems like Lamborghini just gave up in a dick measuring contest.

Nurburgring is Porsche's home turf. German's aren't outwardly nationalistic but they take a lot of pride and result orientated bunch.

Also ironic that Lambo is practically an Audi.

I will buy a porsche instead of a Lambo, this type of effort just shows to me Porsche deserves my money (Sorry Audi).

I am so crazy about cars that I am emigrating to Germany to be closer to the Nurburgring....

Will my 18 years of Gran Turismo on the Playstation finally pay off irl? I'm gonna start with a cheap JDM and then after I get really good (at least 100+ laps), I'm gonna buy a porsche RS and finally live the Deutsche Dream.

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#18
post #15
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is that "7 years 30 days" countdown in the lower right hand corner?

>I have been chasing the 'perfect lap' for 7 years with no traffic, no road works, fresh air, dry track, no driving mistakes and a reliable drivetrain. Sounds like that's how long he's been chasing a sub-10-minute lap

Ah. Thanks.

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#19
post #17

5:19 almost seems impossible. I think we will see sub 5 minutes within the next 5 years at this rate. It seems like Lamborghini just gave up in a dick measuring contest. Nurburgring is Porsche's home turf. German's aren't outwardly nationalistic but they take a lot of pride and result orientated bunch. Also ironic that Lambo is practically an Audi. I will buy a porsche instead of a Lambo, this type of effort just sho…

If you think Gran Turismo on a Playstation is preparation for driving a Porsche RS in anger then you probably should up your life insurance.

Better go to a real driving school first (not one of those 'experience' things, an actual school), you'll be very happy that you did.

Re: Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable

#20
post #14

Comically fast, like video-game-I-can-just-hit-restart fast. A couple highlights of that YouTube video from sections of the track that are notoriously difficult: [YouTube Time] 00:49 -> 00:53 - Flugplatz at nearly 170mph is insane. Total trust in downforce and makes up many seconds if done right. 01:13 -> 01:25 - Fuchsrohre bottoming out at 200+ mph is nuts. 03:15 -> 03:20 - Interesting that Timo avoids the carousel.…

Knowing nothing about this subject, I'm a bit confused by the parent: The first section talks about how incredible the performance is - "comically fast", "nuts", etc. The second to last paragraph seems to say that it is easily done.

Would you explain to easily confused, non-car-racing-enthusiasts? EDIT: In fact, I should ask: What is the significance of Nurburgring?

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