Only Porsche goes beyond Porsche - All time record holder

Porsche driver Timo Bernhard completed Nürburgring Nordschleife race circuit in 5:19.55 minutes, shattered the previous lap record of 6:11.13 minutes made by Porsche 35 years ago.

A bird's eye view of Nürburgring Nordschleife

Since the start of Nürburgring Nordschleife's construction in 1925, it has enjoyed a reputation as the world's most difficult racetrack, with 12.89 miles long, 73 turns, and nearly 300 metres total difference in altitude.

Back to May 28, 1983, no one would believe the time clock when Stefan Bellof drove the Porsche 956, flying over the finish line in just 6:11.13 minutes during the race, which was half a minute faster than reigning world champion Keke Rosberg. Either no one would believe this staggering record would remain uncontested for the next decades.

Stefan Bellof

Porsche 956

Always out in the front, Porsche 956 he was driving, has an air-cooled 2.6-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder-boxer engine producing 640 horsepower, and it is the first racing car with aluminium monocoque chassis and Ground Effect - an innovation from F1. The Ground Effect made the car unbelievably fast while super stable. Benefited from these groundbreaking technologies, 956 won all titles in Le Mans 24 Hours from 1982 to 1985, as well as in FIA WSC from 1982 to 1984. These achievements make 956 an unbeatable legend.

Porsche has been holding its record for 35 years, no one goes beyond it until Porsche does itself. On June 29, 2018, Timo Bernhard completed the track in 5:19.55 minutes with a Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, a modified version of 919 Hybrid - the winner of Le Mans 24 Hours and FIA WEC. Freed from restrictions, the Evo has turned up to 1160 horsepower, and reduced weight by 39 kilogrammes. By updating aerodynamics, the Evo produces 53% more downforce which is even greater than an F1 car, results in an increase in efficiency by 66%. The Evo reached the top speed of 229.5 mph and broke the previous record for nearly one minute.

Porsche 919 Hybrid 2017

Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

Two Legends: Porsche 956 C & Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo

                                      

Besides 919 Hybrid Evo, Porsche also takes four places out of ten fastest production cars in Nürburgring lap record. Since the next generation of 911 is about to be released, there may be some changes soon.

The 919 Tribute Tour: New King of the Ring 

References

Nürburgring Nordschleife

6:11.13 minutes

How the Porsche 956 made racing history

5:19.55 minutes – Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo takes record

Porsche smashes all-time Nurburgring record

What it took for Porsche to smash its own Nürburgring record