Postcard from the Nurburgring
Thursday ,21 July 2011
2011
There are two Nurburgrings – the current F1 track, and the original version that used to host the German Grand Prix. The mighty Nordschleife lies alongside its younger neighbour like a sleeping giant, little changed since the last F1 race in 1976. It is still used for the annual 24-hour GT race and assorted domestic events, but the only time current GP drivers venture onto it is for to take passengers around in road cars.
Opened in 1926, the track was named after the village of Nurburg and its ancient castle. From the very start the main North Loop (or Nordschleife) was recognised as the greatest challenge for man and machine. It sorted out the truly great from the journeymen who might be competitive at places where the car counted for more than the driver’s talent.
Spectators and those working in the pits saw the cars pass just 14 times in the course of a Grand Prix, and once the field headed out of view into the forests, bystanders could only guess at what great acts of bravery and daring were being performed out at Fuchsrohre, Flugplatz, Pflanzgarten and other celebrated landmarks around the sinuous 14.2-mile route. There were many trees, and a lot of places where a mistake or sudden failure could leave a driver with very little chance of survival. The track’s history has been tinged by tragedy.
By the end of the sixties F1 drivers were largely united in a quest to improve safety standards. Jackie Stewart was at the forefront, and his lobbying helped to get the 1970 race moved to Hockenheim. The ‘Ring’underwent a facelift, and with proper barriers installed over its full length, it was back on the schedule the following year. But the most serious problem remained how to properly marshal it.
Stewart’s safety campaigning was brought into focus when Niki Lauda crashed three years later. Thanks to the bravery of fellow drivers, the Austrian survived, but the circuit did not. This time there was to be no reprieve, and in 1977 the German GP moved permanently to Hockenheim.
However by 1984 a shorter, safer course had been built alongside the original, and a European GP duly made it on to the schedule. A few weeks beforehand the new track was opened with an event for Mercedes road cars driven by some great names from the circuit’s past. All were beaten by someone they’d barely heard of, and who was there almost by default – rookie F1 driver Ayrton Senna.
Since then the racing at the Nurburging has always been entertaining, often helped by the inclement weather in the region. It doesn’t matter if you visit in March or October or any time in between, there’s always a chance of rain. And sure enough the 2011 German GP weekend has opened under grey skies, and it promises to stay wet.
Of course that does always open up the chance for something unexpected to happen. Indeed just four years ago Force India – then running as Spyker – made a brilliant strategy call as rain fell on the grid, switching rookie Markus Winkelhock to wet tyres.
As everyone else either spun off of pitted he surged into a glorious but brief lead before the race was suspended. It was to be his only GP start. Let’s hope that rain plays into the team’s hands once again…
Credit: Force India (www.forceindiaf1.com)
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