Nurburgring Bans Lap Times

Z

Zarkon

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Car makers' chance to claim fastest laps comes to an end.

Car makers can no longer claim bragging rights at Germany's fearsome Nurburgring.

The 20km German track used by most manufacturers for performance testing has banned timed lap records after a fatal car crash in March, where a Nissan GT-R GT3 racing flipped over the fence and killed a spectator.

In an official statement Nurburgring CEO, Carsten Schumacher said, "following the tragic accident of 28 March 2015, the German Motorsport Association (DMSB) introduced speed limits for races at the Nürburgring.

"Capricorn Nurburgring GmbH has decided to extend these speed limits to other activities on the Nordschleife, which is why record drives are currently not permitted on the Nurburgring Nordschleife."

This ban effectively ends the automotive world's chest-beating contest of which car maker has the fastest car.

As it stands, Porsche will hold the fastest lap time for the foreseeable future with its lap time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds set by its hybrid 918 Spyder supercar back in 2013.

However, in recent times the pursuit of a lap record bragging rights has descended into madness with the likes Porsche claiming the fastest SUV with its Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and Renault claiming to be the fastest front-wheel drive car with its Megane Trophy R; a special edition built specifically with the record in mind.
 
thestaggy

thestaggy

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Don't see why a manufacturer using a test driver that holds a racing licence can't be allowed to go around there and do a timed lap.

The driver is aware of the risks he is taking.
 
Agent_Smith

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thestaggy said:
Don't see why a manufacturer using a test driver that holds a racing licence can't be allowed to go around there and do a timed lap.

The driver is aware of the risks he is taking.
Click to expand...

I think it's the spectators they're worried about (if the article is anything to go by). Personally, I think it's also stupid. If you want to go watch, surely you sign a disclaimer of sorts indemnifying the track of any injury or death. Alternatively, just close the track on days when manufacturers want to test. Does the 'Ring charge manufacturers for them to run though? If not, they should seriously consider it.
 
A

Ancalagon

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The thing is, spectator safety is the Nurburgring's responsibility. If the spectators are not safe, then the answer is to make them stand further back from the track, or introduce higher, strong fences, or something. I dont know. Imposing speed limits and banning lap times is silly. Why have a track then?
 
Rickster

Rickster

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[video=youtube;LGi1iI4uZOE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGi1iI4uZOE[/video]
 
Z

Zarkon

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The most iconic track in history yet they impose this.The thing that get't to me the most is that it wasn't even a hired track day by a manufacturer,it was a racing event,and now they ban the time attacks.It answers a lot of questions that they were looking for a way to stop this,and took this as a grab. Are they gonna tell drivers at events don't go faster than 250km or amateurs on track day to only drive 100km.
 
thestaggy

thestaggy

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Agent_Smith said:
I think it's the spectators they're worried about (if the article is anything to go by). Personally, I think it's also stupid. If you want to go watch, surely you sign a disclaimer of sorts indemnifying the track of any injury or death. Alternatively, just close the track on days when manufacturers want to test. Does the 'Ring charge manufacturers for them to run though? If not, they should seriously consider it.
Click to expand...

I'd think that at any race track you go to you do so accepting the fact that the worst can happen and you may be injured. Not saying track owners must be lax, but tyres can jump fences and it is possible for one or multiple cars to compromise the integrity of catch fencing and barriers.

If they are so worried then close the track to spectators, or place them in areas where the chances of the above happening are slim. The crash itself is a rarity, so it isn't like it will happen all the time, but if you are worried then put spectators inside the corners or put them near the slowest sections.

[video=youtube;zieVq1JDAEo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zieVq1JDAEo[/video]

The marshals and certified press were at risk here, but the spectators were not that far away from the debris either. It is a risk you have to accept when going to a race track.
 
Z

Zarkon

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Yes,when they do time attacks just ban spectators from coming to see the lap. When i go watch racing at a track,i always stand on the inside of a corner for safety reasons
 
H

herbertk

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Gonzo.B said:
Car makers' chance to claim fastest laps comes to an end.

Car makers can no longer claim bragging rights at Germany's fearsome Nurburgring.

The 20km German track used by most manufacturers for performance testing has banned timed lap records after a fatal car crash in March, where a Nissan GT-R GT3 racing flipped over the fence and killed a spectator.

In an official statement Nurburgring CEO, Carsten Schumacher said, "following the tragic accident of 28 March 2015, the German Motorsport Association (DMSB) introduced speed limits for races at the Nürburgring.

"Capricorn Nurburgring GmbH has decided to extend these speed limits to other activities on the Nordschleife, which is why record drives are currently not permitted on the Nurburgring Nordschleife."

This ban effectively ends the automotive world's chest-beating contest of which car maker has the fastest car.

As it stands, Porsche will hold the fastest lap time for the foreseeable future with its lap time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds set by its hybrid 918 Spyder supercar back in 2013.

However, in recent times the pursuit of a lap record bragging rights has descended into madness with the likes Porsche claiming the fastest SUV with its Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and Renault claiming to be the fastest front-wheel drive car with its Megane Trophy R; a special edition built specifically with the record in mind.
Click to expand...

Source ?
 
R

Ridolfc

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So let go race on a race track but remember to keep to the speed limit. LOL. Ridiculous.
 
H

herbertk

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Thought this was an April fools... but whaaaat if this was in SA it would make sense... so there is a speed limit on the ring but not the auto bahn ? huh
 
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