Sabine Schmitz

[Griff]

Former Top Gear presenter Sabine Schmitz - famous for being the only woman to win the Nurburgring 24 Hours - has died aged 51.
Schmitz said last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

Schmitz had become synonymous with the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the 14-mile circuit in Germany that is renowned as the toughest in the world.
She won the 24-hour touring car race at the track twice, in 1996 and 1997, driving a BMW M3.
She became known as the "Queen of the Nurburgring" and estimated she had driven around the track more than 20,000 times.
Schmitz later gained acclaim for an appearance on Top Gear in 2004 in which she drove a van around the track, and subsequently became a presenter alongside Chris Evans in 2016.

[AndyGuyton]

What awful news!

[Normb666]

Just been reading about this. Bit of a shock, especially not knowing she'd been ill. And only 51....Jeez, just makes you realise what counts in life. Always fancied building that Strat? then don't waste time, do it! Same for anything else you've hankered after! (this doesn't include stalking the woman from down the street you've always secretly fancied, by the way.)

[ProtoTipo]

This says more than words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

[Bernard]

This says more than words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

Absolutely awesome video... by a truly awesome driver..RIP Sabine

[Guy Mayers]

This says more than words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

Thank you for sharing that video link Chris. Lost for words.

[westonTB]

To Loose Murray was something I am sure many of us were dreading, to loose Sabine Schmitz not even knowing she was ill is a real shock (understatement)

I went for a 20 mile hoon in my slightly Orange Beta & it made me feel better... Drink it while it's fizzy peeps:)

[hollytree]

i used to have an E39 M5 that I kept for 20 years.
This is Sabine 4 up in the Ring Taxi staying ahead of a 996 GT3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtAiwl06B28&ab_channel=GTBOARD.com

[LOFT6.6]

This says more than words:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufzdL1JaEKM

Wow Chris great video and a fantastic showcase of this marvellous human beings inherent talent. She made some of the guys look like they were standing still and it was raining too!
No 51 is no age to leave us and just shows that life has no life expectancy filter linked to your contribution to our world.

This is one of my favourite Mottos, which I try my best to follow;

17808

[Allora#2]

R.I.P. SABINE SCHMITZ
Die Königin der Nordschleife ist von uns gegangen. Wir werden Dich immer vermissen! :(

[Stratos Fear]

I was shocked when I heard the news - very sorry to hear this - she was a great driver.

[ITFCFAN88]

A shocking loss of an obviously very talented driver who possessed a smile and laugh that were so infectious. A great personality but a far greater person. Rest in Peace Sabine, gone but never forgotten.

I see they are gathering signatures to name a corner at the "Ring" for her. This is a must for the Queen of the Ring.