The German Grand Prix this weekend is nothing like as terrifying a circuit as it used to be, when they ran it on the 14.2-mile Nürburgring, when men were real men:
Before the ’Ring became diluted by car manufacturers using it as a proving ground, it was the most challenging race circuit in the world.
The circuit was retired from F1 in 1976 after Niki Lauda’s horrific crash, and the new ‘Ring came back to F1 in 1984, hosting the European GP that year and the year after.
It was then a full nine years until it returned proper, and from this year onwards will host the German GP on alternating years with Hockenheim.
The Nordschleife circuit is still used today, regularly by car manufacturers battling to set fastest lap times for production cars.
But it’s also open to the public, as it was the 70s:
There’s a compilation of ’30’s racing on the ‘Ring to be found on youtube as well. Pretty scary. Especially when you hear, stated ever so coolly: ‘So and so was not here this year, since he crashed fatally last year on [...]‘
the second video is kinda funny to look and hear… but i do feel sorry to the heroic people and their damaged cars while trying to conquer the ‘Ring….
This makes the todays Nordschleife look like a modern GP-Circuit.
I mean if they went of the line they´re at least heavily insured
Unbefrickinlievable! Can’t believe the types of car they sent round – a Beetle CONVERTIBLE with 4 people in it if that rolled they were a goner. If any Health & Safety people watched this their heads would explode!!
Also unbelievable the number of rollovers where the dude just got out & walked away – no helmet & prob no seatbelt, def no airbags! Prob says something about how solidly built cars were back then.
Why did everyone in the 60’s speak the same way…
Like the man in the video does…
Every man in the 60’s no matter where he was from shared the same accent on tv…
i LOVE the music on the first video!
that should be in the background of all races
…ever
@ #6. they all sound the same because they had to. its called BBC Standard English.
The second video needs some yakety sax
I love the big ring. Best thing is driving it on my Xbox (can’t say for PS3, but its probably better). Nothing beats thumping round it on FM2, but while some do it in ferraris and Elises, try it in a big GT500. I took mine round without engine or driveline mods, just tire compound and width, brakes, suspension and LSD, and I shaved a minute off the stock 9:32 (inc. penalties). I kow that sounds rubbish, but that hting is very heavy and you need to be very gentle with it. Combine that with Highway Star blaring into my ears and you end up very sweaty indeed.
Its a shame the current F1 won’t do it but there would be only 15 laps and can you imagine those ridiulous front wings on the carousel?
if any one wants to know y f1 does`ent us the `ring any more a) the said above and it could`ent be marshelled safetly
I’d pay good money to BE a marshall at that track and I’m sure there are at least 1000 other people like me, let’s make it safe and bring F1 back to the ‘Ring
A great video onboard Nick Heidfelds BMW F1.06 as he drives around the Nordschleife. http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=0ceX5Wk-zSY
Ahhh… The times when Porsches actually tried to kill you. Rear engines… What a brilliant idea.
i think F1 should have an All Star race each year at the Ring with the top 8-10 drivers in points drive classic F1 cars for about 15 laps and whoever wins gets an extra 5 points for the championship
OMG look at the motorcyclist at 2:18 of the 2nd video with the death wish. Glad he just stood up and walked away from it.
The motorcyclist at 2:14 is even braver, hes got a passenger
wow.cool
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