The near 13-mile (20.8 km)-long Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany is home to many a lap record, typically categorised by class of vehicle, production vehicle or purpose-built racer and such. Now there’s one more, with a slant – literally.
Professional Formula D drift competitor Vaughn Gittin Junior has taken to the fabled European racetrack not quite to chase a lap time, but rather to be the first driver to drift the Nordschleife in its full length. The attempt was facilitated by the closure of the circuit, granting Ford and Gittin exclusive use of the circuit for the feat in his 900 hp Ford Performance 5.0 Aluminator XS-powered Mustang RTR Drift.
“Drifting the Nürburgring represents the ultimate challenge to me: it is something that many question whether it would be possible and whether the car and driver could do it and come out in one piece. Something inside of me had to take this on to find out,” Gittin said. Not much of the drift feat was recorded in terms of numbers, but Ford said that a top speed of 241 km/h was attained, limited by gearing.
Though the sideways and rather smoky feat was achieved without a lap time in mind, exercising a 900 hp car on the Nordschleife still commands respect. “I did not know the ‘Green Hell’ nearly as well as I thought I did. Everything changes when you’re going sideways at those speeds. I was out of my comfort zone for the majority of the hot laps. You will not see it from the video, but I scared myself multiple times,” Gittin said.
Three sets of Nitto tyres were needed to drift the full lap, and six microphones were placed inside the Mustang to capture the entire soundtrack. Only one casualty was recorded – a drone that was destroyed during the filming.
Although drifting is forbidden on the Nordschleife, some drivers have drifted sections of the route, including two drivers who performed drift demos during a race. This, however, is the first full-on drift attack of the complete circuit. Now that Gittin and Ford have become the first to do so, one wonders what sideways feats are yet to come, on this circuit and elsewhere? Thoughts, dear readers?
-
- Known as the “Green Hell”, the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, in Germany, is a mustdrive destination for petrolheads around the world. Even for experienced drivers, it can be demanding.
-
- Known as the “Green Hell”, the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, in Germany, is a mustdrive destination for petrolheads around the world. Even for experienced drivers, it can be demanding.
-
- Known as the “Green Hell”, the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, in Germany, is a mustdrive destination for petrolheads around the world. Even for experienced drivers, it can be demanding.
-
- Known as the “Green Hell”, the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, in Germany, is a mustdrive destination for petrolheads around the world. Even for experienced drivers, it can be demanding.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
(Like) Ford Mustang.
(Dislike) Nissan GTR
lack of skill as his rear ends went out of the track.
It’s not a good drift though.