Porsche 918 Spyder breaks the lap record at the Ring!

There is a lot of exciting auto news from Frankfurt this week, including the sensational BMW i8 launch. But this video of the new production car record lap at the ring really brings home just how far road cars have come in 30 years. This kind of performance is basically at Formula 1 car levels of the 1980s. And this is a beautiful car (admittedly an expensive one) that anyone can just go out and buy! It really boggles the mind. Kudos to Porsche and also to Mark Lieb, who offers a master class in clean, precise driving here.

W196 in the Green Hell

I love this shot for some reason. I love the idea of Schumacher and Rosberg driving these priceless machines around the Nurburgring. It's a shame that commercial realities pervented them wearing from proper period attire.

Friday Moment of Zen

Photo: Jesse Alexander

Hermann Lang Laps the 'Ring, Graham Hill Narrates

1962 film showing onboard footage (starting at 2:50) of Hermann Lang lapping the 'Ring in his Mercedes W125. In color, no less! Graham Hill gives a corner by corner commentary. It's very cool to see the lush, wooded circuit as it was before barriers and kerbs were added.

Video of the week: Alfa 156 at the Nordschleife

I never get tired of watching Nurburgring hotlap videos.  I know I'm not alone. You're welcome.

Alfa Romeo 156 Trackday Nordschleife from Robert on Vimeo.