VIDEO: Nurburgring Backwards: It Must Be Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler!

Ask yourself… what's wrong with this picture? Did I drink too much last night, or is this all, well, very familiar, but all odd?! Answer: You're watching all the corners of the Green Hell taken at full chat, backwards! Yes, it's the super-cool Rallye Köln-Ahrweiler, which not only runs in the forests and towns of the glorious Eifel region, but includes two special stages around the Nordschleife, the wrong way around! It's a unique opportunity to do so and is one of our favourite European clubman rally events – and not just because the stages are so great and your get to go up the Foxhole. Just look at the cult classic cars involved! Get involved this year. Find out more here. It's a cracking rally…

NEWS: Alfa Romeo 4C Nürburgring 8:04 Lap

Alfa's gorgeous new 4C supercar has posted a class record-breaking and very respectable Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8:04 – making it the fastest car with an engine under 250bhp.
The lap was done by journalist and Nordschleife expert, Horst von Saurma on September 12, 2013, as part of a vast test program by Alfa Romeo that's seen the 4C tested from ‐35° in Sweden to +40° in Abu Dhabi, from the Arizona (USA) deserts, to the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily and from the Balocco test track in Italy track (where all Alfa Romeos have been developed, perfected and tested since 1962), to this record-breaking lap at the Nürburgring.
Alfa say: "The 'Green Hell' proved to be the ideal place to put the performance features of the Alfa Romeo 4C to the test. This true, uncompromised driving machine delivers its best on the track, where speed, short braking distances and transverse acceleration are essential to get first‐rate lap times: 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds; 160mph of top speed; deceleration peaks in the range of 1.2 g; lateral acceleration peaks of over 1.1g and optimum weight distribution ‐ 40% over the front axle and 60% over the rear, not to mention a power-to-weight ratio of over 250hp per tonne, values worthy of true supercar.

"In addition to its superb agility and phenomenal grip, credit must also be apportioned to the new 240hp 1750 Turbo Petrol engine, the latest‐generation ALFA TCT' dry twin clutch gearbox and the advanced Alfa D.N.A. selector with its newly-introduced “Race” mode. The new four-cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol - with direct injection at 200 bar and an aluminium block - sets new records for torque and specific power for this size of engine, at over 200 Nm/litre (147.5 lb ft/litre) and 137hp/litre respectively, while maximum power of 240hp is reached at 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 350Nm (258 lb ft) ensures extraordinary elasticity and sportiness since it is maintained constant between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm with 80% of the torque already available from just 1,800 rpm.
"Also contributing to the Alfa Romeo 4C's performance at the Nürburgring were the special Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres, the sportiest version in the Pirelli P Zero line. A record was set not only on the track, but also in the development of the tyres: It took less than one year of collaboration between Pirelli and Alfa Romeo engineers to develop of the best solution for guaranteeing grip and precision while driving of the Alfa Romeo 4C. These special 'AR' P Zero tyres, available in two sizes, 17" front and 18" rear or 18" front and 19" rear, ensure grip, performance, sportiness and precision. The 'AR Racing' tyres, offered only in 18" front and 19" rear sizes, have been developed not only with road driving in mind, but also for use on the track."

Bravo! 

See some more pics of the adventure here.

NEWS: N24 2013: An Historic Event

The 2013 ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24-Hour was as thrilling as ever this year and most unusual – thanks to a forced 9.5-hour break between 11pm and 8am, caused by unreal levels of rainfall, spray and fog making the track unsafe. The event heralded a historic, dominant wet weather performance by the thunderous Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3s, with the Black Falcon overall winner and the Rowe Racing cars finishing third and fourth. The amazingly quick and consistent BMW Sport Trophy Team Z4 GT3 came second. No Audi. No Manthey. No 911. Weird! And the Prodrive-built Aston Martin GT3 (#007!) which was so dominant in the dry faded to 10th. It really was a tale of two halves in the two separated sections of the world's best endurance race – one seven hours, mainly dry, then one nine hours, mainly wet.
The highly experienced N24 regulars, Black Falcon and the AMG GT3 Mercedes-Benz SLS (one of seven in the event) secured their first overall win in the 24-Hours of Nürburgring, with Bernd Schneider (Germany), Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (Denmark) driving from sixth position on the grid to finish the legendary endurance race 2:39 minutes ahead of the second placed car after 88 laps.
Record-breaking five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider had a largely trouble-free race in the SLS AMG GT3 Black Falcon – after an excursion off track on Monday morning ended without drama. The victory was rounded off by positions three and four for Rowe Racing, with Thomas Jäger a double entrant, taking the cockpit in two SLS AMG GT3s prepared by Rowe! Hardcore! In Gullwing #22, the former DTM driver, along with Klaus Graf, Jan Seyffarth and Nico Bastian (all Germany), came home in third place overall. Jäger, at the wheel of car number 23, aided by team-mates Lance David Arnold, Alexander Roloff and Jan Seyffarth (all Germany), finally took the chequered flag in fourth place.
Alexander Böhm, Black Falcon General Manager: "The ultra-reliable SLS AMG GT3 was once again the cornerstone for this historic victory. All the drivers did a great job – we were really fast, especially in the wet. A big thank you to all team members!"
Hans-Peter Naundorf, Rowe Racing Team Manager said: "I am extremely pleased with securing P3 and P4 with #22 and #23, especially as we were forced to retire last year while in the lead. My thanks go to all drivers and team members. Congratulations to the winning team, Black Falcon."
Uli Fritz, Head of AMG Customer Sports, commented: "We were not among the favourites to win, as we are not a works team but simply a customer outfit. We are very excited about this historic success. So far in 2013, we have won every major endurance race with the SLS AMG GT3 – in January, the Dubai (UAE) 24-hour race, in February, the Bathurst 12-Hours (Australia) and now the legendary 24- hour race here at the Nürburgring. My congratulations go to all AMG customer teams, and many thanks to tyre partner Dunlop for the excellent manner in which they have supported our team."
And Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH said: "A great success for our customer teams Black Falcon and Rowe Racing. I am very pleased that we have succeeded at only the third attempt in taking the top spot in the SLS AMG GT3. This victory is the best confirmation of our customer sports programme."
Meanwhile, Toto Wolff, Head of Motorsport at Mercedes-Benz added: "This victory in the 24- hour race at the Nürburgring is the just reward for the loyalty of our customer teams. Mercedes-Benz has a magnificent tradition in endurance racing that stretches back as far as the 1950s. The Nürburgring has always had a great importance and symbolic meaning for Mercedes-Benz, because this is where the legend of the Silver Arrow was born, so it is all the more gratifying to witness the success here today of the AMG customer teams. The Mercedes-Benz name stands for performance, quality and reliability – which are the perfect prerequisites for winning such a tough race on the most demanding racetrack in the world. I extend my congratulations to our customer teams, Black Falcon and Rowe. Credit is also due to Mercedes-AMG for their outstanding support without which this success could not have been achieved."
Driver Bernd Schneider of Black Falcon, # 9 said: "Our car was super to drive, especially in the wet, and even while the surface was drying out, we were always up with the leading group. I’ve attempted the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on several previous occasions, but this is the first time I’ve ever crossed the finish line. My congratulations and thanks go to the whole team. The guys at Black Falcon did a great job."
Thomas Jäger, Rowe Racing # 22 added: "Once again, we have seen what a fabulous car the SLS AMG GT3 is to drive, even under these very difficult conditions here at the Nürburgring. Our third and fourth place finishes represent a great team result for us, and obviously I’m delighted for the guys at Black Falcon on their historic victory."
And Lance David Arnold, of Rowe # 23 said: "I’m very pleased that I was able to finish fourth on my very first outing for the AMG customer team ROWE RACING. This was very tough race, not least because of the heavy rain and the constantly changing conditions. I’d like to express my gratitude and congratulations to the whole team."
And we'd like to thank them for the amazing V8 burble and pace they showed in the epic race. The SLS contingent were a joy to watch and have really aded something special to this unique racing event.

HISTORY

Without doubt, this year's N24 top news story – apart from the glam of 007 Daniel Craig turning up to pilot a DB5 in the 100 Aston Martin parade prior to the race – had to be the Aston Martin Rapide S, powered by Hybrid Hydrogen.

The car, built by Aston Martin Racing in conjunction with Alset Global (a technical partnership made in heaven, which can not be underestimated for the future of motor racing/performance cars) and driven by Dr Ulrich Bez (AM CEO) became the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in, and to undertake zero CO2 emissions laps of, an international motor race.
Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "We have exceeded our already very ambitious target of completing a full lap of the Nürburgring on hydrogen." 

Aston Martin partnered with Alset Global on the project to showcase its commitment to engineering innovation in its centenary year and should be applauded for doing this at the N24, not in a road car, lapping around the M25. Bravo!
The no. 100 Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S was the sole entry within a special E1-XP2 classification. The Hybrid Hydrogen system, comprising a hydrogen fuel supply system, tank and proprietary engine management system, ran faultlessly throughout, demonstrating the reliability and durability of the technology which could be on a series production vehicle within a couple of years. In the race, the car reached top speeds of around 160 mph / 255 kph on pure hydrogen, producing zero emissions.
"This is a historic day for two reasons: besides being the first hydrogen-powered race car to compete and undertake zero CO2 emissions laps, it has showcased the most practical technology available to fundamentally, and within a very short period of time, address the challenge of global emissions, without disrupting the automotive industry," said Jose Ignacio Galindo, CEO and founder of Austria-based Alset Global.
The hydrogen was supplied by Alset Global’s partner, Linde, via its TrailH2-gas mobile refuelling truck. Hydrogen was stored at 350 bar and a full refill was reduced to just 30 seconds per pitstop by the end of the race. 

Road Magazine is about to publish an N24 special and we have all the news on this momentous moment from Aston Martin and Alset, with exclusive interviews and comments from everyone involved, as well as lots of scoops on the rest of the event itself and a behind the scenes with the Team Falken Motorsport's GT3 R. Stay tuned for more and see some sneak preview images at our Facebook page of the best, maddest race on the planet. 

MAG: Nürburgring Special No.2

Open publication - Free publishing - More autos

Get yourself in the mood for the 2013 Nürburgring season of madness with our second, classic Green Hell issue of Road. And see what's on out at the world's most incredible track here.

MAG: Nürburgring Special No.1

Open publication - Free publishing - More top gear

One of our most popular and talked about early issues of Road Magazine was this first Green Hell special. Check it out... and do share it with your Nürburgring mates – novices, or pros. And find out what's on out there here.

VIDEO: 24h-Rennen 2012 Nürburgring Tim Schrick: Scirocco TDI vs Porsche 911

Question: Is a Porsche 911 faster than a gas-powered VW Scirocco on the Nürburgring?
Answer: Not if Road pal, Tim Schrick is driving the Scirocco.
This is footage from the Nürburgring 24-Hr 2012. Hilarious.
The pass is inevitable... and perfect, when it comes... go Tim!

VIDEO: Nürburgring Nordschleife Electric Lap Record Lap with Toyota TMG EV

And here's the video... mental fast! Instant electric power is fascinating to watch and weird to hear! Great driving too Jochen.

NEWS: Toyota Break Nürburgring EV Record Again

Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) continued its record-breaking success with the TMG EV P002 – setting a new electric record on the legendary 20.8km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, with an electric (sorry!) time of 7:22,329, with driver Jochen Krumbach at the helm. This smashed their own record set by TMG last August by over 25 seconds! This achievement marks the second milestone for TMG’s electric powertrain this year following its new record at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, United States. As with the Pikes Peak success, TMG’s latest electric milestone used pioneering off-board battery-to-battery charging technology. The TMG DC Quick Charger was developed in partnership with Schneider Electric GmbH to meet the challenge of recharging an electric race car at tracks without reliable access to grid power. Mounted in the rear of a Toyota Hiace van, the TMG DC Quick Charger uses Schneider Electric’s EV Link technology and includes a 42kWh lithium ion battery, which can be charged direct from the AC power grid. After an overnight charge, the TMG DC Quick Charger is able to quickly deliver high levels of power to a battery-based electric car without additional installation or infrastructure, making it the perfect solution for electric motorsport.
Ludwig Zeller, TMG General Manager Electrics and Electronics: "Since our Nürburgring record last year, we have developed our electric powertrain to deliver more power, more consistently, over a longer distance by managing the temperature of batteries, motors and inverter. Pikes Peak was a clear illustration of the improvements and we have now reinforced that at the Nürburgring. But this achievement is not only about on-track performance; we are also very proud of the DC Quick Charger which again provided a reliable power supply in a remote location. This is an aspect of electric motorsport which has not been discussed at length but it is very significant; electric race cars need to be charged and it is a challenge to have the right infrastructure at race tracks, particularly temporary street circuits. Together with our partners at Schneider Electric, we have developed a solution to charge a race car literally anywhere in the world. This, along with the TMG EV P002 powertrain, represents a major step forward for electric motorsport." Incredible stuff. You are staring at the future her folks...! Like it or not, it's darn impressive stuff...