Hosanna in the highest.... 'Ring management bans manufacturer time attempts

[12,000 RPM]

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/06/nurburgring-management-bans-manufacturers-from-attempting-publishing-ring-times/

Depending on one's point of view, this is either the best or the worst thing to happen: The 'Ring time is no more on the Nürburgring.



During filming of "APEX: The Story of the Hypercar" — a documentary following auto manufacturers like Ferrari, Porsche and Koenigsegg over three years as they battle for halo-car dominance, with the 'Ring as the backdrop — director J.F. Musial said he received a phone call from Koenigsegg founder and CEO Christian Von Koenigsegg, informing him the track's management had banned all manufacturers from attempting and publishing times achieved on the famed course. Koenigsegg had planned to put his One:1 through the pace prior to the ban.

The ban stems from an accident during a VLN race in March involving driver Jann Mardenborough, where a spectator was killed as a result. Management reacted by imposing a speed limit at the site where the accident occurred, followed by similar limits on other high-speed portions of the 'Ring.

While management is set to review the limits at the end of this year, manufacturers are barred from making lap-record runs, even if the entire track was closed to the public for said runs. However, a run recorded by Lamborghini with its Aventador SV was allowed — under the claim the run happened before the limits were in place — while WTCC is permitted to ignore the limits altogether.

I mean they kind of died anyway but this really puts the nail in the coffin. What a useless metric

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Last I heard(a week or so ago) the ring wants money. They want(ed) manufacturers to PAY to be able to publish ring times.

I wonder if this is partly a result of some stalled negotiations(extortions).

[SVT666]

Could be.  I think 'Ring Management should close the track to the public for a week or so every 6 months where manufacturer's pay a fee to run their cars for official times as recorded by 'Ring Management.  That way cars are making their runs with relatively the same track and environmental conditions and the timing standards are the same across the board.

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm sure if manufacturers pay enough, they will close to the public, attempt to escort all the spectators away, and let them go balls-out as many times as they want.

[12,000 RPM]

IDK man they said they wont even allow them to do that. But I guess everyone has their price

Frankly Im tired of ring times

[Cookie Monster]

So... a track where you can't go fast... wat

[MexicoCityM3]

The ring is a good benchmark because it resembles very well a mountain road because that is basically what it is. It's a good benchmark for performance in street capable cars. Much better than other wider, much better maintained tracks.

[MX793]

The ring is a good benchmark because it resembles very well a mountain road because that is basically what it is. It's a good benchmark for performance in street capable cars. Much better than other wider, much better maintained tracks.

Yes, it's a good testing ground for cars developed to perform well on the street.  It's bumpy, hilly, with just about every type of corner you'd ever encounter on real paved roads.  The emphasis on lap times has gotten out of hand, but I believe that a lap time from the 'Ring is more meaningful in terms of real world capability (not that anyone should push their car that hard on real roads) than a lap around a track like Suzuka, Sonoma, or Fiorano.

[Byteme]

The ring is a good benchmark because it resembles very well a mountain road because that is basically what it is. It's a good benchmark for performance in street capable cars. Much better than other wider, much better maintained tracks.

Except that the average car buyer, even one buying (or perhaps especially one buying) a very expensive super car won't be driving balls to the wall on mountain roads.   It's fun to sit in the bar after work and talk about how "My car -omit the phrase driven by a professional driver- did the Ring in 8:11", but in the real world it's pretty meaningless for 99+ percent of owners.

That said it is probably a good venue for development.

[SVT666]

Yes, it's a good testing ground for cars developed to perform well on the street.  It's bumpy, hilly, with just about every type of corner you'd ever encounter on real paved roads.  The emphasis on lap times has gotten out of hand, but I believe that a lap time from the 'Ring is more meaningful in terms of real world capability (not that anyone should push their car that hard on real roads) than a lap around a track like Suzuka, Sonoma, or Fiorano.

Actually, Sonoma would be a good track, although it's pretty short in comparison. It has lots of elevation changes, it's narrow, it has many different types of corners, and it has a couple decent straights.

The problem with the 'Ring that I have is that there are very few low speed sections to the track. It's a very fast track in all areas.  The other beef I have with the Ring isn't with the Ring, it' s with the manufacturers. Cars are getting ball busting suspension setups because the manufacturer "needed" fast Ring times even though the car is most likely to be used as a road trip car or driven to and from Wall Street every day, like any of the Aston Martins.

[Rich]

Not the Miata

[cawimmer430]

Hosanna! 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTAXWEze3U

[MX793]

Actually, Sonoma would be a good track, although it's pretty short in comparison. It has lots of elevation changes, it's narrow, it has many different types of corners, and it has a couple decent straights.

The problem with the 'Ring that I have is that there are very few low speed sections to the track. It's a very fast track in all areas.  The other beef I have with the Ring isn't with the Ring, it' s with the manufacturers. Cars are getting ball busting suspension setups because the manufacturer "needed" fast Ring times even though the car is most likely to be used as a road trip car or driven to and from Wall Street every day, like any of the Aston Martins.

I'll wager the 'Ring is a lot bumpier than Sonoma.  Smoother "benchmark" tracks will result in even firmer suspensions for faster times.

[Raza]

Except that the average car buyer, even one buying (or perhaps especially one buying) a very expensive super car won't be driving balls to the wall on mountain roads.   It's fun to sit in the bar after work and talk about how "My car -omit the phrase driven by a professional driver- did the Ring in 8:11", but in the real world it's pretty meaningless for 99+ percent of owners.

That said it is probably a good venue for development.

Dude, 99% of car statistics are irrelevant for 99% of car owners, especially when you're talking about supercars.  My car does 0-60 in 2.1 seconds and I can shift it in .0000001 seconds.  I leave it in automatic mode and drive my young girlfriend to Nieman's in it. 

[Byteme]

Dude, 99% of car statistics are irrelevant for 99% of car owners, especially when you're talking about supercars.  My car does 0-60 in 2.1 seconds and I can shift it in .0000001 seconds.  I leave it in automatic mode and drive my young girlfriend to Nieman's in it.

That's pretty much my point. 

[giant_mtb]

Could be.  I think 'Ring Management should close the track to the public for a week or so every 6 months where manufacturer's pay a fee to run their cars for official times as recorded by 'Ring Management.  That way cars are making their runs with relatively the same track and environmental conditions and the timing standards are the same across the board.

Not a bad idea.  At least for those that really care about how fast the car they're never going to drive on the 'Ring can go around the 'Ring. 

[Galaxy]

Could be.  I think 'Ring Management should close the track to the public for a week or so every 6 months where manufacturer's pay a fee to run their cars for official times as recorded by 'Ring Management.  That way cars are making their runs with relatively the same track and environmental conditions and the timing standards are the same across the board.

They already do that. Or did that I guess.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

So... a track where you can't go fast... wat