What can I say about the Nurburgring that hasn’t already been said, written or mused about on a videogame? Whether you buy into the hype of the track being the end-all of test courses or not, the Ring has to be respected as one of the most technically-challenging driving circuits out there. Nevermind all of the corners or the overall length, nevermind some questionable spots that will make even the most experienced driver suction-cup themselves to the seat in fear, and certainly don’t worry about how quickly the barriers seem to be coming up…before any of that, you have to be a meteorologist combined with a psychic, because different parts of the track can see different forms of weather. How’s that for keeping you on your toes?
So let’s add another element to the equation: being right on the ragged edge of control…or, for the laymen, drifting. Few people in the world can do it better than Vaughn Gittin, Jr. He’s been making a name for himself with a series of sideways Mustangs for years and his latest and greatest bit of driving filmography was to hang the ass out all the way around the Ring. That’s no small feat: three sets of Nitto NT555 G2 tires were annihilated (a van was following behind with the spares and the tools) and another driver in a Volvo V70 R Polestar was right on the RTR Mustang’s path, recording the fun. With the machine gear-limited to about 150 miles an hour, we doubt that Gittin made any kind of Ring speed record, but when you are given the chance to do something like this, you simply do not say no. You gear up, you go out and you put on a hell of a show, even if there isn’t an audience present. Hate drifting all you want, but you know that the day this was filmed is one of VGJR’s best days ever.
I think drifting is cool.
But, drifting around the green hell? That is a travesty to the gods of speed and the track itself.
This track is to be taken balls to the wall, apexing each corner at 104% and aiming to beat the clock. Put a new set of tires on that awesome car and go back out and see what a 900HP lap looks like.
I don’t know if it’s my age, but this drifting thing hits me like an all day enema. Yes Vaughan Gittin is probably making ten times what I make so I’m wrong in thinking it’s not profitable, but it’s not racing, it’s mindless cornering under power. We were doing this with the Brighouse Cafe Chinese Food delivery Malibus in the late 70’s, just don’t tell Terry or Wayne………. I’ll be happy to see this go away with fake patina, lowered crap ass steam punk lookalike pickup builds and 30K Datsun 510’s. Now where’s my Milk of Magnesia…