NEWS: SEAT Leon 280 DSG Breaks FWD Production Car Ring Record

SEAT's Leon Cupra 280 DSG has just set a new FWD production car record at the Nurburgring Nordschleife – with a belting time of just 7:58.4 minutes, in the hands of Spanish driver Jordi Gené, with an average speed of 96mph and hitting a peak at 150mph: Impressive! No wonder then that sales for the Spanish, VAG brand are up 10.6%!
The car used to set the amazing lap time was a production-specification Leon Cupra 280 DSG, equipped with an optional Performance Pack – loaded with Brembo high-performance brakes, specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
Formally announcing the record at the Spanish company’s Geneva Motor Show press conference, SEAT S.A. President Jürgen Stackmann said: “Our ultimate expression of the successful Leon formula is the all new Leon Cupra. It is the fastest and the most powerful car we have ever built and yet is a comfortable family car. The Cupra is our new icon.”
Sticking with a high-performance theme, SEAT is also putting the new Leon Cup Racer – the competition vehicle developed and built by SEAT Sport – on display in Geneva. The Cup Racer forms the basis of the Leon Eurocup, beginning in May 2014 and which invites private race teams to compete on some of Europe’s most iconic racing circuits.
Another attraction on the SEAT stand is the new Mii by MANGO, a new range-topping, design-driven edition of SEAT's city car created in collaboration with the famous design label MANGO.
SEAT says: "The new Leon Cupra embodies SEAT’s brand values in the best possible way: state-of-the-art technology and stunning design, coupled with compelling performance and excellent everyday usability. With up to 280 PS, the new Cupra is the brand’s quickest and most powerful series-production car, and is the most dynamically engaging car SEAT has ever produced – while remaining comfortable day-to-day. With its extensive equipment and excellent quality, the new Cupra represents exceptionally good value-for-money. This new sports icon for the SEAT range will be offered from launch as a five-door and as the Leon three-door SC.
"The new SEAT Leon Cupra has demonstrated its phenomenal performance in the best possible way, with an impressive record on the world’s most demanding racetrack. The record time achieved (7:58.4 minutes) was possible thanks to the technological precision of the Leon Cupra, equipped with the optional Performance Pack* including Brembo high-performance brakes, specially-designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
"The average speed was 96 mph, with a top speed of 150 mph on the Tiergarten section of the circuit. The circuit surface was dry, with an ambient temperature of 10ºC and a track temperature of 8ºC. There is no doubt that such an outstanding record time was achieved not only because of an exceptional car, but also thanks to a driver who was equal to the situation. Sitting behind the wheel of the Leon Cupra 280 was the Spanish driver Jordi Gené, official SEAT driver between 2003 and 2010 during the European Touring Car Championships (ETCC) and World Touring Car Championships (WTCC), among other events. He was also a member of the Leon Cupra development team at the Nürburgring."

Leon Cup Racer
SEAT has also launched a new Cup race car. They say: "The new Leon Cupra delivers the basis for an impressive, professional race car, presented by SEAT at the Geneva Motor Show ready for its first season on the racetracks of Europe. This 330 PS car will have its debut in May at the start of the new single-brand championship, the SEAT Leon Eurocup, to be held over six race weekends in six European cities and with attractive prize money."

Mii by Mango
The new Mii by MANGO is a special edition of SEAT’s city car designed in collaboration with MANGO, the world-renowned fashion label from Spain. With a raft of features that set it apart from the standard version, including an exclusive ‘Nude’ paint colour and Alcantara upholstery, it’s a stunning way to top the Mii range.
Available with three- or five-doors, its standard equipment list includes ESC, ABS, front- and side airbags for driver and front-seat passenger, head and chest airbags, deactivation of front-seat passenger airbag, Isofix anchor-points with Top Tether on the two rear seats, air conditioning, CD/MP3 radio + aux-in, hill start assistant, remote-control central locking, a 12V socket in central console and electrically-operated front windows.

Exciting times and plenty to shout about for the quirky Spanish brand eh? Bravo!
See more images here.

NEWS: New Qualifying Race for 2014 ADAC Nürburgring 24hr Race

Get your diary out N24 fans. This year's N24 has a brand new Qualifying Race – including more than 15 hours of action with the 24h Race teams, low ticket prices and "special highlights" for the fans, including some night lapping – all set for April 5th and 6th. 

The exciting new warm-up qualifying event gives fans a low cost, high octane access to the top N24 cars and teams – a full two months before the big race itself. See our report from last year here.
ADAC says the event offers the teams the opportunity to optimally prepare for the ADAC Zurich 24h Race in June. And they hope the new qualifying race in early April will be a hit for the crowds and race teams alike.
"Every single kilometre covered on the Nordschleife is valuable," explains Stefan Wendl, Team Manager of BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert. His team plans to contest the ADAC Zurich 24h Race with two BMWs Z4 GT3 and will make extensive use of the qualifying race. "In the off-season, BMW worked very hard on improving the car’s reliability," Wendl adds. "In the Dubai 24-Hour Race held early this year we were able to cover the entire distance without encountering any problems whatsoever. Now, we want to carry this experience over to the Nordschleife. And the 24h qualifying race is a great testing-opportunity on the way to achieving this goal."
Perhaps the most special highlight of the ADAC Qualifying Race 24h Race will be the first night qualifying session held on Saturday evening. From sunset, the teams will be testing for two and a half hours into the night. 

ADAC says: :"For the motor-racing enthusiasts, this session should be – apart from the six-hour qualifying race itself – the definite highlight of the event. For the teams, however, there is more to gain in the two qualifying sessions: here, they can secure one of 10 slots for the ADAC Zurich 24h-Race top-30-qualifying and prepare their cars even better for the main event in June as it was possible to date. "The fact that we are going to test into the night is a particularly positive aspect of the first qualifying session,” stresses Wendl. "This fact offers us the chance of attending to the lighting system and go into details while doing so. It may sound trite but if you want to be fast you first of all have to see as much of the track as possible. Therefore, the headlights are a really vital component but the opportunities to attend to them are rare." 

Meanwhile, contesting the qualifying race also is extremely attractive for the drivers. After all, newcomers and returnees can acquire the necessary Nordschleife expertise in just this one event. According to the ADAC Zurich 24h-Race regulations, you have to have competed in three VLN rounds to do so but due to the extreme long track times, an equivalent level of expertise now can be acquired in the ADAC Qualifying Race 24h Race on a single weekend.
And N24 fans can look forward to great specials and low ticket prices – with tickets from €15 (day
ticket adults, Saturday/Sunday) and €25 (weekend) respectively. And the tickets do not only include access to the GP-circuit grandstands and the paddock but also to the starting grid. In addition, it is planned to hold a big autographing sessions for the fans in the paddock. Of course, the access around the tree-lined Nordschleife is free. The ticket-price details and further details for the visitors will be published in time for the event at the event website, www.24h-rennen.de.

New to N24? Read our special issue FREE here to see why you should definitely be going to this unparalleled event! 

NEWS: Nurburging Race Rental & Track Day Tuition

Maybe you're a bit handy on a track day, think you know your way around the Green Hell, or have even tried a spot of domestic circuit racing?
But have you considered taking it to the next level – racing the infamous Nurburgring GP and Nordschleife, in the outstanding VLN Endurance Racing series (where many of the 24-Hr cars go bumper-to-bumper), or the equally fun, but slightly less hardcore RCN Circuit Challenge series?
If you've not considered it… you should put it on your bucket list. Not much comes close after you've been there, done that… and it need not cost the Earth, if you know the right people, as we do.
But where to start?
Take your own car out there, assemble a team, learn the ropes, jump the race licensing hoops, spend an age setting your car up with no local knowledge, cross your fingers and get racing? Well, you could do that…
Or...
You could tap into a lifetime of experience with our Green Hell know-how pals Jacos Paddock Motorsport and let them take the strain for you – provide you a perfectly set-up, reliable, rapid BMW race car with all the team support you could ask for and help you cut the red tape to get out a race at the Ring, hassle-free.
Super-friendly 'flying Dutchman' Jaco Velders and his crew have a fleet of really amazing BMW race cars – not the newest or the most flash, but with a perfect Nurburgring set-up, making them class winners in both RCN and VLN. And, budget, skill level and bravery depending, there's a BMW 325i E36 class V4 (for RCN), two BMW M3 E46 class V6 (one GT3 spec) and used two BMW 325i E36 V4 (for the VLN), to pick from… all of which are superbly neutral, balanced and fast race cars.
Jaco's Paddock run races all year at the Ring and also at Zandvoort in Belgium (the 12-Hr) and have raced at the Dubai 24-Hr and in the Nurburgring 24-Hr as well as decades in the RCN and VLN – so have plenty of know-how and experience. And their cars are built to last in these tough championships, which really test your driving skills (and the car).
Jaco's Paddock also offer track day and racing tuition, with individual personal training or in small groups of maximum four vehicles. Jaco says: "No matter what level of experience the participants have, using various techniques from our instructors in the car to following the instructor in convoy with in car communications – we will show you the right wet and dry racing line, the braking points, entry speeds, turning points etc. - everything you need to be quick here at the Green Hell, Spa-Francorchamps or Zandvoort.
"As part of the tuition, we offer a DVD and Power Point presentation and a track walk if possible. And, in addition, we offer preparation to obtain a German “A” race license to enable you to participate
in national races. We're a one-stop-shop for Ring racing!"
The Jaco's Paddock tuition packages include:

• Race car rental
• Qualified, skills racing driver instructors available for individual tuition or groups
• Both radio and intercom communications available
• Mechanical facilities available during the course for service, repairs and tyre replacement etc.
• Hotel, airport transfers & assistance with accommodation etc.
• A great time!

If you want to make your year and have some memories to pass on to the wide-eyed grandkids, why not race or get some tuition with Jaco's Paddock this year? We HIGHLY recommend it here at Road HQ. 

Find out more & contact Jaco directly for prices and information via Facebook.

NEWS: New ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24-Hour 2014 Qualifying mini-race

The 2014 ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24h-Race will feature a brand new “Little brother” for the 24h-Race – with a short qualifying race in April, described by Race Director Walter Hornung, as an “optimum testing opportunity in racing conditions but without championship pressure.”
The bold, new idea was unveiled today along with the news there will be several practice sessions (some in evening hours) on the original 24-hour race track, Nürburgring Nordschleife & GP Circuits. 

The new format offers the media and the motor-racing enthusiasts the chance of getting a first overview of the top-class field of the 24h-Race that will be contested in June.

From the function test at the Grand Prix circuit through the practice sessions held at the Nordschleife up to the evening hours to the two-hour qualifying session and a six-hour race in the Green Hell on Sunday, the new event format provides anything helping the teams preparing for the main event held on the Corpus Christi weekend.

Naturally, the new qualifying format will make the fight for the top 30 qualifying ranking places – and the flashing strobe lights that go with that accolade – more fierce than ever.
“To make sure that the teams will be able to complete as many laps as possible even in the case of technical problems or minor accidents, we will interrupt the practice sessions by short breaks that will be used to tow damaged cars back to the paddock,” adds Hornung. “And they also can practice driving in the dark, on this weekend – a move underlining our efforts to increase the safety for the 24h-Race competitors.” 

“This also might increase the motivation for teams from abroad with limited Nordschleife experience to regard the qualifying race as a must. After all, having contested the evening practice session and two stints in the six-hour qualifying race will result in the permission to contest the 24h-Race even for drivers who have got a lot of motor-racing experience under their belts – but not so when it comes to racing at the Nordschleife," a spokesman added.

NEWS: Kumho-shod Audi R8 LMS Ultra Nürburgring VLN Win

The popular German Busch twins drove their Audi R8 LMS Ultra to an emphatic one minute victory in last Saturday’s (October 12) VLN round on the Nürburgring’s tortuous Nordschleife circuit – with the help of Kumho rubber.
Already top finishers in 2013 and a crowd and competitor favourite at the Green Hell, Dennis and Marc Busch had seemed certain of a second place last time out, when they ran out of fuel on the very last lap of the race!
But there were no such problems this time. They started third on the grid for the four-hour VLN mini-endurance race and were first past the chequered flag by one clear minute – well clear of the pursuing Porsche 911 GT3 R and BMW Z4 GT3, and the other 112 cars that entered the eighth and penultimate in this year’s superb VLN championship.
The distinctive R8 carries the ‘Twin Busch’ livery of the brother’s successful garage equipment business and has been run on Kumho tyres throughout 2013, with increasingly rewarding results.
Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager, Steve Thompson said: “This is a fantastic result both for the team and Kumho. The Busch twins have been getting more and more out of their Audi and our tyres as the season has progressed and thoroughly deserve this win. And, while Kumho has enjoyed plenty of class victories in VLN courtesy of Peugeot and the RCZ, this is our first outright triumph in this ever popular and exciting series. We wish the brothers every success in the final round on October 26.”
For further information on Kumho tyres for track, rally stage and the road, log onto www.kumhotyre.co.uk.
And for more on the VLN, see here.

NEWS: Discounted BMW 325i Racing Opportunity: VLN Nürburgring October 27-28th

How do you fancy racing at the best circuit in the world – Nürburgring Nordschelife? In one of the best race series in the world – VLN? With one of the most experienced teams out there – Jaco's Paddock? In one of the most perfectly balanced, expertly-prepared race cars – a BMW E90 325i (pictured)?
Thought so...! Well, Road Magazine can help you!

We've teamed up with Jaco's Paddock to offer you ONE seat in the superbly set-up, uber-reliable and very rapid BMW E90 325i, racing in class V4 of the VLN on October 27-28th, in less than one month!

You will drive with two other drivers and get two practice lap sessions on October 27th, before you do two laps of qualifying on October 28th – trying to get the best lap time possible – and then it's race time, on the most iconic "Green Hell" circuit, with some of Europe's best race cars, drivers and famous faces, like fellow Road friend, Sabine Schmitz. Tempted? You should be!

This golden drive opportunity is being offered at unreal rates and includes one third of the entire four hour race – so over one hour 20m full-on race time – all the fuel, tyres, event support, hospitality, insurance (600 Euro excess) and everything you need.
All you need to do is arrive, drive and have the time of your life.

NB: Obviously, you also need to be compliant with race licence regulations, which you can read here.

If you are interested, please email proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk ASAP.

Only one slot is available – at a HUGE discount. So, get involved and make yourself some real magic memories...

VIDEO: Awesome Falken Tyres Nürburgring 24-Hour Movie

Our pals at Falken Tyres were great hosts for us at the 2013 41st ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24-Hours, and led the race in their Porsche 911 GT3 R for a while this year – their 14th ever N24 event. Set aside half an hour to watch this superbly produced video of the event. And read the full behind-the-scenes story in our FREE N24 special of Road Magazine here.

NEWS: Aston Martin Rapide S Hydrogen Hybrid History @ ADAC Nürburgring 24-Hour

Aston Martin Racing are all set to make history at the 41st Nurburging 24-Hours this weekend – racing their ground-breaking hybrid Hydrogen Aston Martin Rapide S V12 twin turbo, developed in partnership with Hydrogen experts, Alset Global. And they will also be racing in a international championship-winning V12 Vantage GT3 and a close-to-production specification V12 Vantage as well as the record-breaking Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S.
When the HH Rapide S races on Sunday in the N24, Aston Martin’s new four-door, four-seat sports car will become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international event as well as the first zero CO₂ emissions sports car to complete a race pace lap at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The car will compete in an experimental class (E1-XP) having passed rigorous technical and safety assessments by the German motorsport authority the DMSB to be granted approval to race.
It will be able to complete full laps with zero CO₂ emissions and will be refuelled after each stint with 3.5kg of hydrogen as well as gasoline.
Working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston Martin’s engineers have developed a prototype twin turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine that powers the incredible Nürburgring car.
Capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both, the Hybrid Hydrogen race car showcases Aston Martin’s commitment to engineering innovation. In pure hydrogen mode the car emits virtually only water from the exhaust.
The Hybrid Hydrogen system comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. Safety is paramount and the system includes four ultra-high strength carbon fibre tanks holding a total of 3.5kg of hydrogen stored at a pressure of 350bar.
And we have been invited to follow all three Aston Martins at the world's greatest race! Happy days! We will be bringing you the amazing Aston's story home from the Eifel in a forthcoming special of Road Magazine, also featuring many cool cars from the 2013 N24.
The Aston Martin Rapide S – with technology developed with Alset Global – has already set a record as the world's first hydrogen-fuelled zero CO₂ emission lap of the 24 km Nordschleife. The lap was completed on Saturday 27th April with Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez at the wheel of the prototype Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S. That was a perfect test run ahead of a formal record-breaking attempt at the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring (N24).


Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, will be one of four drivers behind the wheel of the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S in the 24-hour race. He said: "The prospect of making history at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S in this, our centenary year, is a great thing for Aston Martin. Alongside our partners Alset Global, we have worked incredibly hard to prove out this exciting engineering and I’m looking forward to taking the wheel of the race car at the Nürburgring on Sunday.

"I am incredibly proud of the Aston Martin team, and our partners Alset Global. We have written a little motorsport history with this qualifying lap as well as finishing the four-hour race on hydrogen and, of course, it bodes extremely well for our participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in three weeks’ time.
"To have run full laps on hydrogen gas alone during the four-hour event is an exceptional ‘first’, and I now hope that we can stabilise the system and further improve the Rapide S so we can complete the 24-hour race on May 19 with many zero emission laps."

The Aston Martin Racing team are aiming for numerous zero emission laps – in addition for their P1 class aims for their outstanding GT3 petrol V12 beast (pictured below) and a V12 Vantage which is as close to production specification as possible.

The third car in the line up is a V12 Vantage in close-to-production specification, modified to satisfy the N24 regulations. David King, Director of Special Projects and Motorsport at Aston Martin, explains: “It’s important to us that we don’t only show what we can do with pioneering technologies and race car development, but that we showcase the ability that our road cars have to deal with the demanding and gruelling challenges that the Nordschleife can create.”


To make life even more special for Aston Martin fans, leading up to the main event the Aston Martin Centenary Parade – a lap of the Nordschleife with 100 VIP and customer cars – will take place to celebrate 100 years of Aston Martin and to offer customers the chance to share in the Nürburgring experience that is so close to the brand.

Aston Martin will compete in the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 19-20 for the eighth successive year with the goal of maintaining its 100% finishing record. More than 200 cars will start the 24-hour race, which runs on the daunting 22 km circuit that combines the legendary Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix track.

Bravo to Aston Martin & Alset Global. Can't wait to witness history with you firsthand this weekend...
See more images of the cars here on Facebook.

VIDEO: N24 Preview With Falken Motorsports

We are on an unashamed N24 tip at the moment, leading up to the best race on the planet – ADAC Nurburgring 24-Hour – which kicks off in five days and seven hours time, as of right now, not that we're counting or anything! Road Magazine will be covering the event for you lucky peeps, across Facebook, Twitter, here on the blog and in the magazine. And one of the teams we will be focusing closely on is Falken Motorsport, who have an upgraded Porsche 911 GT3 R (Type 997) this year – still in the unmissable green and blue livery. They are aiming for a top five finish, possibly even up on the podium with the new GT3 R. And there's no reason why that's not possible, given the pace of the new car and the speed and experience in their retained driver line-up of Sebastian Asch, Peter Dumbreck, Wolf Henzler and Martin Ragginger. The new car features a raft of improvements over their past N24 cars – with a (N24 Green Hell critical) new aero package that includes wider wings, new splitter and double canards at the front with a larger rear wing to increase downforce, and there's enlarged cooling vents around both the front and rear arches, enabling the team to run wider 12” rims at the front (0.5” wider than last year), and fatter, new compound Falken tyres. And the new GT3 R sports a bank of four front headlamps/strobes and all – to get the slower traffic cleared and hopefully, avoid accidents. "We are gearing up to give it everything we've got for the fans and aiming for a top ten place in 24-Hour Race" says Austrian racer and Porsche factory racer, Martin Ragginger. Bring! It! On!

VIDEO: Nürburgring Road-Legal Subaru Lap Record

A 400bhp, tuned but road-legal Subaru Impreza built by Revolution Motorsport in the UK has set a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, of 7m53.08s, on off-the-shelf Yokohama ADVAN rubber – beating Tommi Makinen's previous road-legal Subaru lap of 7:55, set in April 2010 (although it must be said that record in worse weather has stood for two years and was set in a bog-stock, 300bhp WRX STi Sedan, on much less sticky rubber, with 100+bhp less and standard brakes/suspension/aero (see that classic rally slag Green Hell lap here). Revolution's PR men say: "The concept behind the car was to set the fastest lap for a road-legal Subaru Impreza. While the car was highly modified, it was driven directly to the circuit, completed its record lap and was then driven back to the UK, all on the same tyres, fuel and brake pads. A handful of tools and spares travelled in the car but it was a genuine road-going car." The aero-kitted Subaru was modified with the 255/40x17 ADVAN A048R tyres, suspension, wheel and brake tuning and a stronger engine with Cosworth internal components, a Turbo Technics modified turbocharger and fuel additives. It knocked out 420bhp for the lap, despite being tuned to achieve 500bhp. The driver for this lap was Fredy Lienhard, proprietor of Nordschleife specialists Rent4Ring, with an estimated 20,000Km of experience under his belt. He set the new record on his first attempt in the car – despite the car's wanton desire to understeer. How he got it turned in on some bends is beyond me! Check out the full video with telemetry above. Revolution Motorsport's Glenn Campbell said: "We are very happy with the new record. We built the car to celebrate our 15th anniversary and did that in style. We have a very long-standing relationship with Yokohama and always use their products on extreme projects such as this one. We built the car from scratch specifically for this project and I am delighted that we were successful." Managing Director of Yokohama HPT Ltd, David Seward, said: "I would like to offer our congratulations to Glenn and the rest of the Revolution team for an amazing achievement. We have worked with Revolution for many years and in that time, have come to understand that when they say they are going to do something, they do it and I am delighted that Yokohama was able to be part of their success." Fair play to Revolution, who are a great bunch of car (especially Subaru!) enthusiasts and run a good company. And good driving Fredy! Anyone out there with a road-legal Subaru think they can better it?

VIDEO: Falken Motorsports Wet Nurburgring Nordschleife Lap

We're off to the best race of the year, the epic Nurburgring 24-Hour in less than two weeks time now. And one team we will be paying very close attention to (bringing you the inside story) is the slick, experienced (and now armed with a brand new Porsche 911 GT3 R) Falken Motorsport's team. Always competitive and always wrapped in the outstanding blue & green Falken livery (not to mention the pit girls, see below), it's one to watch for the 2013 N24, as this wet lap in the VLN clearly shows, with ace Scottish racer, Peter Dumbreck at the helm. Lightning fast, stable and deeply impressive! Check it out! Naturally, we will be keeping you up to date on the race via our Facebook page & Twitter feed, here on the blog and with a special N24 issue of Road Magazine out in late May: Our homage to one of the greatest races ever... You going? Who's your top to win this year? Porsche? Audi? BMW?

NEWS: Sabine Schmitz Joins Forces With Ron Simons Racing

Two of our greatest Green Hell buddies – Ron Simons and Sabine Schmitz – have (finally!) joined forces, offering yet another string to the fabulous RSRNurburg and RSRSpa track experience bow. 

"Ring queen" Sabine will now be on hand (most days of the week!) to offer her infamous 'hot taxi laps' around the world's greatest circuits – Spa-Francorchamps and Nurburgring Nordschleife – in the superb, eclectic mix of RSR track hire cars. Quite a heady combination, I can tell you – having sampled both over the years. Certainly a memory of a lifetime.   

For those who do not know, RSRNurburg (run by dude ex-racer, Ron Simons) have built a reputation of excellence over the past 15 years at the famous Nurburgring for driver training, instruction, track car rentals, corporate events and Road Tours. And Sabine Schmitz has raced the world over, but her true passion belongs at the Nurburgring where without doubt, she is most recognizable figure at the Green Hell, and Spa. 

The fabulous Sabine Schmitz said: "I am really thrilled to be able to work with RSR. Their huge fleet of modern cars and wide range of services makes sense for us to create a partnership. We were looking for a reliable and reputable company to help service our clients...it only takes a small glance at RSR’s testimonials to know we are in capable hands.

"The goal is to extend the available offerings, and RSR enables us to do this. Taxi Laps at Spa are really great, throwing the car around on this Formula track is just a joy, I can push so hard!” And in closing, “I am pleased to have formed this partnership. RSR are a professional company that have built a successful business on a reputation of excellence that is known and respected worldwide. Bringing their cars, expertise, various driving & instruction services and programs into our packages will open up new opportunities for our customers from around the world. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with them."
And the ace Ron Simmons added: "We are extremely excited to partner with Sabine. I have followed her career over the years, we have worked together in the past and now we cement this with a formal partnership to continue our combined success” Ron goes on to explain; “This partnership gives our existing customer base another range of options to choose from and now we have the quickest female racer in the world, certainly a force to be reckoned with on track!."
Find out more about how you get involved with these two lovely, experienced, fabulous track people and the RSR experiences at: www.RSRNurburg.com and www.RSRSpa.com.

A marriage made in heaven... or should we say (green) hell!  

NEWS: Kumho Success in VLN Championship

Tyre manufacturer, Kumho has already achieved numerous class wins in Germany’s popular Nürburgring-based, amazing VLN series this year – including a first ever top 10 finish in the opening round of the 2013 season (April 13), courtesy of twins Dennis and Marc Busch, driving an Audi R8 LMS Ultra (pictured).
Kumho say: "The result was particularly memorable as, having been troubled by a loose splitter in qualifying, the team occupied a lowly 40th place on the starting grid. However, a trouble-free run in the race allowed them to climb an impressive 32 places to finish a fine 8^th overall. This was the first time the well-known Busch pairing have shod their Audi with Kumho tyres. They acquired and raced the LMS last year, but this season decided to upgrade the machine to ‘Ultra’ specification and switch tyre brands, the combination of which clearly has great potential."
And Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson added: "These are serious motor races, and this first round comprised no fewer than 500 drivers from 30 nations doing battle round the incomparable 24.6 kilometre-long circuit for four hours. As ever it was a great test of man and machine and we were delighted with the performance achieved by our tyres, and very much look forward to the remaining rounds of the championship."
This all bodes well for cars carrying Kumho for the forthcoming ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24-Hour.
For further information on Kumho and both its road and competition tyres, logo onto www.kumhotyre.co.uk.

VIDEO: 2013 ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen Preview Film. Watch now!

NEWS: Pictures & Report of VLN Round 1

See a load of great images from our man at the Ring, Jochen of Frozenspeed of the first 2013 VLN race  from last weekend – including the unveiling of Peugeot's 208 GTi T16 racer (pictured), the world premiere of the Aston Rapide S with Hydrogen technology (with AM boss, Dr Ulrich Bez at the helm), a debut for the Hyundai Veloce, not to mention our good pal, Sabine Schmitz's new Porsche 911 GT3 R getting on pole! Go Sabine!
It was a packed grid, with some 216 cars entering the race, which was won by the white Schubert (factory entry) BMW Z4 #19 won, driven by Joerg Muller, Dirk Muller and Augusto Farfus. That beast Bimmer is a total weapon.
Speaking of weapons, the 24-Hr winning yellow and green cult car that is the Manthey Racing 911 GT3 RSR also made its comeback to VLN after a year of abscence and finished in 6th place.
The top six were:

1. Schubert Z4
2. Timbuli GT3 R
3. Schubert Z4
4. Timbuli GT3 R
5. Alzen Z4
6. Manthey RSR
So, three BMW Z4s and three 911 GT3 R in the top places, proving they are the cars to beat this year, in VLN and the 24-Hour? A thrilling season awaits.
As usual, the VLN is loaded with diversity and heritage, and it was great to see the Phoenix Audi R8 with the Stuck family at the helm, with Ferdinand Stuck and Johannes Stuck (sons of the infamous Hans-Joachim Stuck) teaming up with Luca Ludwig. And also making a name for itself was Gran Turismo's Kazunori Yamauchi in the new R35 Nismo GT-R GT3; a mean looking, great sounding, quick (and thirsty) machine.

We love VLN. Check out all Jochen's fab images on Facebook now. 

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.

NEWS: Destination Nürburgring April Private Track Event

Destination Nürburgring (DN) has opened bookings for their first Nordschleife private track event of the year on April 2nd and 3rd, priced at £749 for both days. But be quick, as places on the event are set to sell out fast, with a real shortage of quality TDO's offering Green Hell events this year.
And as if you needed much more encouragement, Road and Ring super snapper pal, Jochen from Frozenspeed will be providing free photographs!
Darren Langeveld who runs DN said: "I've noticed a growing trend of third parties offering Nürburgring track days, with one UK based website in particular seemingly 'passing off' other operators events as their own. 'Passing Off' is an offence under UK Trading Standards laws. Destination Nürburgring are currently the only UK based track day operator at the Nürburgring, we're ATDO members, fully insured - and when you book with us you book with confidence. We're also the UK's biggest Nürburgring events organiser, whichever way you care to measure it. Of course - you're free to spend your money with whomever you please, but the risk in using some of these 'third party' sites is you may not know with whom you ultimately end up sharing track space. 'Buyer beware' - take it from my first hand experience, not all track day operators have the same stringent safety requirements we do!"
Find out more or book on their website. Pretty tempting stuff!

NEWS: Dubai 24 Nissan PlayStation® GT Academy Success

The Dubai 24 ended in success for the European and Russian GT Nissan PlayStation® Academy winners – with two of the four latest PlayStation®3 gaming experts taking the chequered flag in an exceptional second place in class, whilst the second Nissan 370Z Nismo GT4 car crossed the line in ninth position after some dramas in the night.
The No.127 Nissan 370Z Nismo, raced by Wolfgang Reip and Mark Shulzhitskiy, with their pro team-mates Lucas Ordonez and Roman Rusinov, finished the race in second position. Lucas gave them the best possible start by qualifying the car on pole position in the SP3 class and then getting the race underway before handing over to Roman. Next it was the turn of Wolfie, who beat 830,000 Gran Turismo®5 gamers to the 2012 GT Academy Europe title, to take the wheel for his first stint in an international race and true to form with endurance racing the Belgian had a baptism of fire!
"It was a great feeling to get out there on a very busy track with the best drivers and cars we have ever raced against," he said.  "I had a good, clean run and took the class lead just before the end of my stint. Unfortunately on my in lap another car lost a wheel and the first I knew about it was when I hit it at full speed. I realised exactly what had happened and hoped the damage to the front of the Nissan wasn’t too bad. I then got to witness the RJN boys at work and they repaired my car in less than an hour."
This incident put the No.127 car right back to ninth place in class and meant that for Mark’s first stint he was under pressure to make sure all was well with the car by venturing out at a slower pace and building up to full racing speed. Like Wolfie he did a great job and started the fight back that would continue through the night. By first light they were up to third place and after steadily chipping away at the leaders throughout Saturday morning it was Russian driver Mark who crossed the line in a well-deserved second place.
Across the garage in the No.147 car it was a tougher race. German winner Peter Pyzera and his mentor and Road Magazine friend, Sabine Schmitz, teamed up with US winner Steve Doherty and Nissan regular Alex Buncombe. They had a great getaway when Alex took the class lead but at the start of the night Sabine had an off when running on cold tyres straight after a ‘Code 60’ period (note: there are no safety cars at the Dubai 24 Hours, just a Code 60 where cars must slow to 60kmh). At first the rear end damage to the car looked terminal but just over one and a half hours later the RJN team got the car back on track, this time in the hands of Peter.
"This has been a really great experience and I hope it is just the first step in a long racing career for me," said Peter. "We lost a lot of time last night but we kept our focus and pushed on all the way to the flag. It was actually good for me that we lost time as I was very nervous before the race but when we lost time it made me want to get in there and fight to get it back. All we had to do today is remember everything we have been taught. It was a great experience and I want to do it again now."
Despite the setbacks the No.147 Nissan crossed the line in ninth place after 24 hours of racing with American winner Steve Doherty at the wheel.
"This has been another great event where a big group of people, both behind the scenes and in front, have pulled together to turn dreams into reality," commented Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsport, Darren Cox. "It was great to hear that Radio Le Mans listeners voted to give the ‘Spirit of Le Mans’ award to the RJN boys. They deserve that. As well as the race team we have driver coaches, media trainers, film crews and agencies who all work hard to make this happen. The level that the four new drivers have achieved in just five months is testament to all that work and the reality is that ‘you ain’t seen nothing yet’!"

Like the GT Academy lot on Facebook  here. And see some more images of the race on our Facebook page. 

VIDEO: Porsche 918 Spyder on the Nurburgring

Road & Track look at the Porsche 918 Spyder, testing on the Nordschleife. The mid-mounted 4.6 litre V8 produces 580bhp – which is more than the RS Spyder LMP2 race car it's based on – and the lithium-ion battery feeds 200 kW of power to the electric motor driving the front wheels. All of this resulted in a 7m14s lap... which is good, but in the light of the 2013 Nissan GT-R time of 7:18.6, is it quick enough?