A BMW E92 M3 does a Nurburgring lap in 7:36? Kind of... or Why all Nurburgring laptimes are not created equal

I'm still confused.

So the GTS M3 time should be quicker than what Sport Auto hit?

Why isn't there 1 standard? Why doesn't Sport Auto do it the way others do?

@Autobahn335i is this a full lap?

Originally Posted by Sorena

EDIT: I spotted double posting. Two post #23 is here.

Nope, no double post. The auto thread updater will sometimes show dupes that aren't really there. No way to have two of the same number.

The Nurburgring has become a sort of standard to measure track performance. Manufacturers tout their laptimes as evidence of this performance but the problem is there is not a set standard to follow. This leads to a bit of confusion regarding times and the video below of an M3 achieving a laptime of 7:36 is the perfect example of this. Why? Well, the explanation is below but not all Nurburgring laptimes are created equal.

When the track is open to tourist driving sessions as it was in this video, the full main straight can not be driven due to safety reasons regarding cars entering and exiting the track combined with those going at full speed. So, this area is omitted. Laptimes are then measured from the "bridge" to the "gantry" areas. This means the laptime is artificially quicker than it should be although technically it still counts as a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap.

When we see laptimes listed often like those tested by German magazine Sport Auto (which are counted as industry testing) they omit a section by Grandstand 13 due to safety reasons regarding those entering/exiting the track. For this reason a Sport Auto laptime is only 12.8 miles long whereas the track is 12.944 miles long.

This is further complicated with the ring laptimes wars that have started as a result of Nissan pressing for times to showcase their vehicles performance. A flying laptime where one starts their full Nurburgring lap at full speed can only be done in closed sessions where others can not enter the track but this will artificially inflate a time as well. Now everyone is doing this to get the best time possible due to the importance being put on Nurburgring laptimes today as a measure of performance and means of comparison.

The vast majority of laps will be stopped slightly short for safety. With no standard set and evidence pretty much being a video posted of the lap taking place along with a press release there will be a bit of deviation. So, take a look at the video below and before you are ready to proclaim an M3 with suspension and tire upgrades faster than a Lexus LF-A, Mercedes McLaren SLR, or Corvette ZR-1 realize that based on the day the lap is run, weather, and if it is open to the public will change the times considerably. Still, a very impressive laptime going to show what the M3 with mild changes for the track is capable of.

A fundamental problem that is never addressed is different drivers. There should be a dedicated stig to the ring when measuring pro laps to remove skill differences from the formula.

Originally Posted by Q4P

There should be a dedicated stig to the ring when measuring pro laps to remove skill differences from the formula.

Impossible. The driver is always a variable and always will be.

Originally Posted by Sticky

@Autobahn335i is this a full lap?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMs45QvqZO4

Yep. You can see at 7:10 in the vid he passes the Döttinger Höhe, where they put gates during tourist drives to allow drivers to enter the track. The straight is only open during private track days and test drives of the industry pool.

Sticky, you need to drive on the Ring at least once in your life. You'll be a different man afterwards.

Have you guys seen this:

His car is also tuned by the magicians at @evolve

That lap by the M3 GTS was amazing!

Originally Posted by Mike@VAC

Have you guys seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxlRTsnughI

7:28.... that is absolutely incredible.

Seems like a hell of a suspension setup.

Originally Posted by Sticky

Impossible. The driver is always a variable and always will be.

Then you will never have accurately comparable results... that is fact. Then add this article into it and it just further shows the bull$#@! ring times are. I hate saying that too because it's a great place but it js what it is...

Originally Posted by Q4P

Then you will never have accurately comparable results... that is fact

That is why times are not set in stone, they are subject to a large number of variables.

Originally Posted by Q4P

Then you will never have accurately comparable results... that is fact. Then add this article into it and it just further shows the bull$#@! ring times are. I hate saying that too because it's a great place but it js what it is...

A pro driver should be able to lap consistently within a margin of 1 or 2 seconds.

BTG is not Lap of Nurburgring, probably already been said..

BTG is the Touristfahrt amature laptime benchmark since the full straight is rarely open for the public.

Originally Posted by flipm3

His car is also tuned by the magicians at @evolve

Sure is!

Luke can drive a bit too

Originally Posted by M3GTtt

BTG is not Lap of Nurburgring, probably already been said..

BTG is the Touristfahrt amature laptime benchmark since the full straight is rarely open for the public.

So if someone wants to set a lap record how do they go about it?