Performance Over Time
 

These data might be of interest...

Lap Times at the Nurburgring

9:41.6 - new lap record in 1956 Grand Prix by Fangio in an F1 car – UpFixin, v. V, p. 245

14:00 – 356 driven Denis Jenkinson in 1955 - A PASSION FOR PORSCHES, 2001 (reissue). Haynes Publ., Sparkford, UK.

9:36 – 911 in 1970

- So, within 14 years, a production car had exceeded the ability of a top race car and its famed driver

6:11.13 - Unofficial Overall Record set in 1983 by a Rothman’s 956; 6:29.9 official - Road & Track, Feb. 2009, p. 62 (BMW thinks its Sauber could do a 5:15 lap)

7:25.3 – Ferrari Enzo ~ 2008
7:32 - 911 GT2 (year not given), 530 hp driven by Walter Rohrl
7:29 – Nissan GTR with F1 driver Toshio Suzuki
7:22 – Corvette ZR1 – driven by Corvette race driver Jan Magnussen
7:26.4 - Corvette ZR1 – driven by Corvette development driver Jim Mero
-- all 5 records noted in Road & Track, Feb. 2009, p. 62-63

(assume these are all for the Nordschleife, North Ring)

- compare the two Corvette times to see the difference between an excellent driver and an outstanding racer; the GTR time shows what a top notch AWD and electronic controls can do

- anybody been over and turned sub 9's in their 911??

Yikes - 5:15: that is a seriously, beyond my reflexes, quick.

I think what is more interesting is what a everyday driveable, comfortable, 4 door family car will lap the ring compared to historic high performance machines. A BMW 335 is mid 8's right?

Well, a good driver can take a diesel work van around the ring in 10.08.

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You've got to be careful in comparing lap times from different eras. I believe that the "old" Ring was something like 14.1 miles per lap, while the current ring is more like 12.3. Still, the lap times that production cars can achieve today are amazingly quick.

[QUOTE=cashflyer;5267340]Well, a good driver can take a diesel work van around the ring in 10.08.

I would say Sabine is more than just a good driver. :D

I think with the rough surface and the amount of dirt that is on the track that achieving BMW's claimed mark of 5:15 is questionable.