News: Nürburgring slams brakes on racers with speed limit

Three stretches get 124mph restriction after spectator's death


Nurburgring introduces a speed limit

ONE OF the world’s best-known racing circuits has introduced a speed limit on safety grounds, banning drivers from going faster than 124mph at certain points of the track.

The limit imposed at the Nürburgring is thought to be the first permanent speed restriction on a circuit used for racing. It follows a fatal accident involving Jann Mardenborough, a young British driver whose Nissan GT-R flipped on a straight section of the circuit last month and crashed into the crowd, killing a spectator.

From this weekend, drivers taking part in races on the 12.9-mile Nordschleife section of the Nürburgring, which was christened “the Green Hell” by the three-time Formula One champion Jackie Stewart, will be monitored through GPS devices on their cars. Anyone caught breaking the limit will be made to drive through the pit lane as a time penalty; if they are caught a second time, they will have to stop the car in the pits, get out and see the clerk of the course. They will be excluded after a third speeding offence.

The 124mph speed limit – 200kph in metric – will be enforced at three sections of the track where cars often leave the ground, which increases the risk of them flipping over.


Search the cars for sale at driving.co.uk