It’s a circuit unlike any other. Known as the ‘Green Hell’, it’s a fast-paced and dangerous road that sweeps through forest for nearly 13 miles. With 73 corners, many of which offer literally no room for error, it has long been considered the greatest test of driver and car or motorcycle in the world. So when the WTCC announced that it was coming to this world-famous track in Germany, it was big news and attracted over 250,000 fans.
Recently, the new Civic Type R set a lap time record for front-wheel drive production cars on this very circuit, completing the Nordschleife course in 7 minutes 50.63 seconds, more than 3 seconds faster than the previous record.
To celebrate this achievement Honda set up a Race Camp exclusively for Type R owners during the first ever WTCC race weekend at the ‘Ring. It was serious business on the track but the Race Camp was more like a mini-festival, full of like-minded enthusiasts keen to see this place, to talk about their cars and to get an exclusive look at the new Civic Type R. We caught up with some of the people who made the pilgrimage…
Claire Davies, Civic Type R
This is Herbert… I’ve had him since 2010 and I’ve done a variety of different things to him to make the handling even better. I absolutely love driving it and coming to an event like this is just fantastic. Nine of us drove out in a convoy and seeing all the cars rolling through the villages and climbing up the hills around here was so much fun. The Type R community is really, really close. We were saying on the way here that it’s not like coming away with a car club, it’s like family. The fact that we’re here at the Nürburgring is just a massive bonus. It’s been great to see the new car, too. I love what they’ve done with the looks, although final judgement will have to wait until I drive it! But from what I’ve seen I think we’re all in for a real treat with the new Type R.
David Taylor, Civic Type R (supercharged)
I’ve always wanted to come here. I missed out on last year’s Race Camp in Belgium and when I heard that everyone had a great time there I had to make it to the next one. I said to myself, ‘wherever it is next year, I’m going’, and when it popped up as the Nürburgring, it was perfect.
You don’t realise just how big this place is. You’re engulfed by greenery and although we’re just a few hundred yards from the track it’s almost like we’re not really here! I’m hoping to explore the track, get some nice photographs and enjoy the 24-hour race that’s running after the WTCC race. Apparently there are amazing vantage points to get shots at night.
Stuart Pridham, Civic Type R Championship White
I took over the Civic Type R forum in 2003 with the intention of making it a bigger animal and a little more professional. We have a full time team and 50,000 members and we work with Honda directly on events, even upcoming models. For example I was called in to make a few recommendations for the last FN2-generation Type R. To come to this iconic track with my Type R family is really important, really special.
The new car is a total change of direction (it’s turbocharged) but they’ve really gone for it. The prototype has broken the Ring lap record, already it’s a true halo car. I’m in negotiations with my other half about buying one! I definitely think there will be one on my driveway…
From the old Type R to the new
When Honda decided to create a new Civic Type R it’s no surprise that the Nürburgring was where they came to test it. And now that all the development work is done, the great UK reveal of this long-awaited new model takes place, appropriately, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 2015 Civic Type R will be part of an impressive Honda line-up at Goodwood including our first-ever F1 Grand Prix winning car – the 1965 RA272, the new HR-V, Civic Sport, CR-V, Jazz and NSX.
