TVR Nurburgring Lap times

[jonesy80]

Ahead of a trip to the Nurburgring in August in my S2 I have been trawling through the net looking for TVR video laps of the Nordschlife and have been amazed that TVR's don't seem to be putting in fast laps at the ring.

On both the BTG website and fastlaps site there are no TVRs in the lap tables for the ring and I even came acros a thread on tvr monster where people seemed to be implying that it would be very difficult for a TVR to do a sub 8 min lap.

Given some of the fantastic card TVR have produced I found this quite surprising, anyone know why this is? Did TVR never do any testing at the ring like other manufacturers? Are most owners more interested in quarter mile times or short circuits???

Also anyone know what the fastest ring lap is in TVR?

[shaunsmith]

I have done some semi quickish laps at the Ring in an uprated MK1 Tuscan S. With a timed BTG 8:05 sadly not filmed, with minimal traffic on a Monday afternoon in May 2006. Never cracked 8:00 in a TVR solely only due to increased popularity over the years.

When I had my Sagaris never timed due to bottoming out all over the place etc...

Best lap was in my 2002 Vito Flooring Van in 2008 that was 10 seconds off the Top Gear Van record driven by the German lass in a new Transit. her time was 10:08.

Me van imploded after 3 laps, ruined me tyres, warped the front discs & cracked a rear spring going into the Karoussel like Ben Hur (one more lap than the Tranny did or could) still drive it today! Most enjoyment ever on track in that especially hitting 121 in the downhill Foxhole section slipstreaming my mates CSL, my mate Dez sat next to me wasn't happy




I was there 2 weeks ago in my Noble M400 which was filmed, not quite quick as my Tuscan S was in a straight line, the Noble being partially better carrying the speed into corners with a time of 8:03 with hold ups here & there especially at the beginning.

I wasn't timing the lap at the time plus it was the last lap on my 15 lap Ring ticket, not quite bimbling around but not fully 'on it'!

I would be intrigued & fascinated to see a well set Up TVR with the Power 4.5 SS engine with a capable driver that knows the Ring in minimal traffic.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9s8s8umlz8&fea...

Edited by shaunsmith on Saturday 16th July 15:55

Edited by shaunsmith on Saturday 16th July 20:44

[dvs_dave]

A modern TVR is I'm sure perfectly capable of a sub 8 minute lap of the ring. It's just that a full on attempt with a proper racing driver has never been made (or at least not published).

I think though a TVR would loose out on high speed stability and braking which is important for the ring.

[bosscerbera]

dvs_dave said:

A modern TVR is I'm sure perfectly capable of a sub 8 minute lap of the ring. It's just that a full on attempt with a proper racing driver has never been made (or at least not published).

I think though a TVR would loose out on high speed stability and braking which is important for the ring.

Steve Sutcliffe took a Challenge Tuscan round there about 10 years ago for Autocar magazine.

Impressive times shaunsmith!

[shaunsmith]

bosscerbera said:

Steve Sutcliffe took a Challenge Tuscan round there about 10 years ago for Autocar magazine.

Impressive times shaunsmith!

Thank you,

Looking forward to coming back to a TVR soon with a Power 4.5 SS with set up solely for the Ring.

No issues with stability or braking with both my Tuscan S & Sagaris as the standard 4 pot AP's on both cars that are the same are well up to the job required with my experience, albeit uprated pads.

My intention with attempted Supercharging my old Sagaris 5 years ago was to eclipse the BTG record at the time. The then record was a CSL although wasn't standard which I think was 7:52 or 3. It's way less now but few are filmed so many don't count...

It wouldn't require a race driver as such to breach 'well under' 8:00 in a well set up TVR. Simply proper knowledge & appropriate conditions preferably with no Dilettantes 5 up in a hot hatch on track...

I'm certain a sorted TVR in the right hands around the Ring would shock many on these forums alone. A savagely quick time could easily be achieved.

When I come back to TVR I'll be having a full on crack, no question

Near impossible on a tourist day now but not on the closed trackdays that Ringweekends/Destination Nurburgring do now.

Edited by shaunsmith on Saturday 16th July 17:21

Edited by shaunsmith on Saturday 16th July 17:30

[FactoryPilot]

Also, in the UK 'The Racing Line' were doing closed days at the Ring.

I went on one earlier this year, the weather was dry and fine, and the track had maybe 35/40 cars max on it - so you could do lap after lap and not see another car. Plus, you didn't have to keep coming off and going back on.

Absolutely fantastic!

[FactoryPilot]

These people are really good too....

http://www.trackdays.de/englishinfo.html

Next one is 15th August if anyone fancies it. Free / closed track 8am - 4pm....

[shaunsmith]

FactoryPilot said:

Also, in the UK 'The Racing Line' were doing closed days at the Ring.

I went on one earlier this year, the weather was dry and fine, and the track had maybe 35/40 cars max on it - so you could do lap after lap and not see another car. Plus, you didn't have to keep coming off and going back on.

Absolutely fantastic!

Cheers,

Good to know with /Racing Line doing them too. Thanks.

That's the way I would like to go with the Ring on closed track days, still love tourist days but not in a quick well set up car like TVR's I have had & now the M400. Don't mind anticipating other vehicles in front as would never intentionally bully them out of the way or nearly ttting a bike that didn't see me coming like on the M400 lap. Really not comfortable now when bikes are on when I'm bounding round. Very few bikes & riders cant or unable keep with a hot lapping car & seem semi reluctant to admit especially on track on this recent visit. Plus many of them look like there in their 50's or older, big men & not svelt Sheene's etc.

The recent visit we incorporated Spa for 2 days (Goldtrack) then the Ring for 4 or 5 days thereafter & during. Same again this October, for a week at both tracks.

Setting a low BTG lap time in the M400 would not give me the same satifaction as in a TVR.

[jonesy80]

shaunsmith said:

or nearly ttting a bike that didn't see me coming like on the M400 lap. Really not comfortable now when bikes are on when I'm bounding round. Very few bikes & riders cant or unable keep with a hot lapping car & seem semi reluctant to admit especially on track on this recent visit. Plus many of them look like there in their 50's or older, big men & not svelt Sheene's etc.

Unfortunately you are absolutely right for most of the bikers at the ring, which is a shame given the potential of most of the bikes you see there. Still nice lap in the noble.

Being a biker the only defense I can offer is it is a lot more intimidating to ride the ring and imho much harder to ride a bike fast than it is to drive a car.

Having only ever ridden the ring and never driven round it I am looking forward to comparing the two experiences.

I look forward to finding out how a car lap (even in my old S2) compares to my bike lap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7B_toUBYLU

[shaunsmith]

jonesy80 said:

Unfortunately you are absolutely right for most of the bikers at the ring, which is a shame given the potential of most of the bikes you see there. Still nice lap in the noble.

Being a biker the only defense I can offer is it is a lot more intimidating to ride the ring and imho much harder to ride a bike fast than it is to drive a car.

Having only ever ridden the ring and never driven round it I am looking forward to comparing the two experiences.

I look forward to finding out how a car lap (even in my old S2) compares to my bike lap:

Thanks,

Great lap that, incredible to watch with the camera fiming the rear. Unique perspective, you must never tire watching that?

Totally agree with you, I truly admire a lot of bikes & bikers for what they do on them machines is beyond belief to me. Even watching your lap at times seemed like 200 mph in the downhill sections & to have such a small amount of tyre on the road is unbelievable.

Even on the last trip had an amazing play with a biker who immediately I could tell he knew what he was doing as me too. for a quarter of a lap was sat behind him in awe of his capabilities then sadly kindly waved me past then was at it again which was tremendous. I only wish I had me camera on as it would of been outstanding footage of man & machine & a black plastic pig chasing him down. We had a drink in the bar shortly after. He was a top brave lad...

Shaun

[shaunsmith]

FactoryPilot said:

These people are really good too....

http://www.trackdays.de/englishinfo.html

Next one is 15th August if anyone fancies it. Free / closed track 8am - 4pm....

Thanks again,

No question next year I'll be on near all the closed track days. Mentioned I think earlier back there in October with Spa also but Touristfarten again.

Nice 'bus' in your garage

[madbadger]

jonesy80 said:

Did TVR never do any testing at the ring like other manufacturers?

Do you know much about TVR?

TVR were not like any other manufacturers.

[Guillotine]

I did a 7:53btg in the Monster Griff and the Tuscan I have at the moment is arround 2secs a lap faster in the UK. Hadn't been for 2 years and it was only my second lap.
Intending to take the Tussie next year.

I reckon a Cerb is be capable of sub 8's with the correct pilot and as for some of the newer cars such as the Winstanley SS 4.5 Sag...definately close to 7's with young Danny at the wheel.

Would love to take one of those Aero GTFs / Sags.

[SAGRIFF]

Cracking lap Shaun,

My best a poor 9.08 in me Griff 500 on a dampish track with 20 odd laps under me belt, would be nice to take the Sag now it's set up.

[shaunsmith]

Guillotine said:

I did a 7:53btg in the Monster Griff and the Tuscan I have at the moment is arround 2secs a lap faster in the UK. Hadn't been for 2 years and it was only my second lap.
Intending to take the Tussie next year.

I reckon a Cerb is be capable of sub 8's with the correct pilot and as for some of the newer cars such as the Winstanley SS 4.5 Sag...definately close to 7's with young Danny at the wheel.

Would love to take one of those Aero GTFs / Sags.

Superb, that is the quickest i have ever heard in a TVR, well done! Great to hear.

The stick I took a few years back was frustrating & annoying doing an un heard of 8:05 in my Tuscan S, by many. In the end didn't give a toss as people who know me well I just tell it how it is & don't care whatsoever if I offend with the truth. Just recently I was told there was a thread somewhere in regards to a so called TVR Tunnel at the Ring. Since they saw me lap the Noble M400 round the Ring no one now questions it well not on line anyway....

Yeah, the lad who races the 4.5SS Sagaris would be in the low 7's BTG if he knew the track no question.

[SAGRIFF]

Guillotine said:

as for some of the newer cars such as the Winstanley SS 4.5 Sag...definately close to 7's with young Danny at the wheel.

especially if he could get the weight down, it's still a heavy car for a TVR race car and still road legal

Edited by SAGRIFF on Saturday 16th July 21:12

[shaunsmith]

SAGRIFF said:

Cracking lap Shaun,

My best a poor 9.08 in me Griff 500 on a dampish track with 20 odd laps under me belt, would be nice to take the Sag now it's set up.

Thanks pal.

Yeah, different in your Sagaris especially if set up correctly & most importantly sticky track tyre etc. Just make sure the ride height isn't too low. The factory Bilstein set up is no good on the Ring if track tyres are on & are 'on it'... I assume you have changed?

I have just sourced some Pirelli Trofeo track tyres from Italy that are supposedly 15% more grip than the tremendous Corsa directional's I use & have always used even on the 400.

Gonna try them at Silverstone GP track day in August ready & scrubbed in for Ring assault in October. I'll let you know what they are like.

Hopefully catch up soon.

Shaun

[FactoryPilot]

shaunsmith said:

Nice 'bus' in your garage

haha. Cheers.

I need to update my pic though - as that was sold a couple of years ago.

I'm more into this now...

[shaunsmith]

Very nice looks fast not really up on Porsche's which one is it?

Ironically there were a GT2 behind me for half the M400 lap sadly out of camera up to Breidsheid or Adenau bridge, stretched it out by Brunchen, then hit 165 down Dottinger just to make sure

[grahamw48]

I reckon both Danny and Mike could both put up superb times with a bit of practice.

Taken at Donington yesterday:

.