That Time I Went Around The Nürburgring And Sucked At It

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478)
03/02/2014 at 18:34 • Filed to: Nürburgring, lap, bad, BMW, 118i

I went around the 'ring on June 12, 2013. I'll let my friend !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! describe the lap as he did a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Early last month, the automotive gods blessed me by allowing me to take a BMW 118i around a track in the Eifel region of Germany.

This track, is known as the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

My lap was done in a BMW 118i with normal street tires (probably all seasons) during a touristenfahrten session. I wasn't trying to clip apexes, get a lap time of under 10 minutes, or chase down every car that passed me. I took it very calm because I did not want to die. It was only my second day with that car, I didn't know the full limits of it or its tires, and I did not want to be the star of another horrible Nürburgring crash video.

With that being said, it was one of the best things I've done in my life, and almost definitely the best thing I did during my time spent in Germany.

It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I hope to return one day to the Green Hell. Add to the fact that the rental car was not in my name, I had to be extra cautious.

EDIT: Using the Bridge to Gantry method, my lap time is around 14:03.

DISCUSSION (34)

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 18:35

HERE WE GO

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 18:35

HAHA

Jonathan Harper > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 18:44

Surprised you even wanted to after seeing your facial expressions in Aaron's lap vid .

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Mathias Rios > Jonathan Harper
03/02/2014 at 18:48

Haha... it was not so much the track that scared me, but the fact that Aaron was at the wheel...

Jonathan Harper > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 18:53

True.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 18:59

Dude that was so damn awesome!

I just said "holy shit!" a bunch of times after the bikes passed you.

Two people on a bike? ahaha no.

"I'm surprised we didn't have to sign a waiver"

"PASS ME"

"Stupid BMW blinker"

Also, dat Challenge Stradale.

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 19:04

Hahahahahahahahaha watching this in full like 9 months later makes me realize how ridiculous all of the things we said were.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 19:05

Also your Classic Car Club friend looks quite nervous, even though he took the track faster before you.

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 19:09

Yes, but if you watch me in his video I'm totally spazzing out. I don't trust Aaron as a driver. His lap was 13:14 I just timed it using the Bridge To Gantry method and Mine was 14:03.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 19:10

You were acting quite anxiously.

More importantly, why is he wearing a CCC windbreaker?

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 19:12

I know, right?

He wore it through most of the trip even when it was warm. I have rarely seen him without it.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 19:13

How does one even get that apparel without being in the club?

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 19:31

Aaron Brown is the Classic Car Club intern... haha.

I do believe you can buy it though.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 19:33

I want to be a Classic Car Club intern!

How does one get that position?!

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 19:34

No idea. I'll forward this comment to Aaron. I think you have to reside in NYC at the very least.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 19:35

Shit.

Flavien Vidal > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 20:18

14min BTG is not indeed very fast :)

You should have tried the ringrentals... They are pretty fun and the semi-slick change everything. I plan on bringing the Corvette to Germany sometime in 2015 to finally stop this money pit that is this car rental around the ring thing. I guess I'll stay a couple month in Europe and most likely 2 to 3 full weeks at the Ring, granted I don't crash the car before that :). Personnal best with the basic Suzuki Swift with Federal semi-slick @ 9min35 BTG for now. This is the cheapest ring dedicated rental and the one I take all the time. I've driven the Sirocco too but have no idea how fast I went with it.

Aaron Brown > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 21:21

We're selling some shirts and the jacket that I'm wearing in the video. Jacket runs a bit pricey, shirts are $30 each I think. If you want one shoot me an email at aaron@classiccarclub.com

Brian Silvestro > Aaron Brown
03/02/2014 at 21:24

Maybe.

If I wanted to visit/check out the cars, could I just show up?

Or would it be better to let you or jbh know beforehand?

Aaron Brown > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 21:26

Probably let one of us know beforehand. Later in the day always seems better to visit IMO. Weekdays open till 7, friday till 8, saturdays 9-4, sunday 10-8 I believe.

Brian Silvestro > Aaron Brown
03/02/2014 at 21:28

Alright man thanks for the info!

I'll most certainly visit within a few weeks.

Stef Schrader > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 21:39

Still jealous. Not gonna lie.

My fastest lap of the LeMons car this weekend (2:35) was a full 14 seconds behind the fastest lap on our team (2:21), and that 2:21 was out in the "will this race get flagged for ice?" time! Sometimes you just need more seat time. I totally need more time in that 944. Go back to the 'Ring and lap it 'til you barf.

Mathias Rios > Stef Schrader
03/02/2014 at 22:11

I would kill to do LeMons. I've considered trying before but the budget for me is killer and I don't know of any teams nearby! I'm jealous of your race experience and 944 prowess! Some day I want to buy a cottage near the 'ring, buy myself a car in Germany and just spend all day lapping.

Stef Schrader > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 22:22

If I bought a house in another country, could I legally own an RS4 or RS6 Avant?!

...in brown?!!

Stef Schrader > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 22:23

Also, watch the crapcan forums for cheap seats that pop up. Be sure to check into the team beforehand to make sure they've got their poo together, but yeah—that's the cheapest and easiest way to try it out.

Mathias Rios > Stef Schrader
03/02/2014 at 23:00

In Germany? TOTALLY.

Stef Schrader > Mathias Rios
03/02/2014 at 23:41

...and ship it to the US and tow the 944 with it?!

ZOMG YES.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Mathias Rios
03/03/2014 at 13:06

Glad you made it through with no incidents. I wonder what percentage of wrecks at the 'Ring are between slow cars like yours and fast overtaking traffic.

If I've done "the maths" right, your average speed was just under 51 mph.

ihm96 > Brian Silvestro
03/03/2014 at 13:29

Those BMW blinkers are pretty stupid. They always pop back to the damn middle!

Brian Silvestro > ihm96
03/03/2014 at 13:34

I know! I drove an E90! I feel the pain!

m2m, apex detective > Mathias Rios
03/03/2014 at 15:05

Let me just point out that I'm still looking for opportunities to hit the 'Ring myself ... so should you return, make sure to radio oppo.

You seem to have been extra-courteous with the blinker fluid on your lap; that probably irritated people ... keep in mind you were piloting a BMW. :D

Just my personal opinion here, but I'd have gone for a bit more WOT in general. Won't hurt on the straights, and most winter tires over here are rated for 190 clicks anyway, with higher ratings for appropriately fast cars.

Come back to DE soon!

//edit: Why did you have the tuner on anyway?

Mathias Rios > m2m, apex detective
03/03/2014 at 15:47

Do you live in Germany?

I would've driven harder had it been my car or even my rental under my name (hint: it wasn't). I had the blinker on to indicate to the person behind me that I was allowing them to pass, as I believe it is common German driving practice?
By tuner do you mean radio? It didn't occur to me to turn if off and it wasnt bothersome haha.
I'm looking to get back to the ring ASAP.

Aaron Brown > Brian Silvestro
03/18/2014 at 00:07

Have you come down yet?

Brian Silvestro > Aaron Brown
03/18/2014 at 11:45

No not yet, probably this thursday/Friday/Saturday though. I'll let one of you guys know.