RE: Ringmini tackles the 'ring: Time For Tea?
Thursday 19th November 2015
This is, of course, Achim Korden's infamous Ringmini (all one word). And while there have been a few incarnations of his concept in varying states of tune, his latest creation really will leave you agog. He's christened it the "Eichhornchen", or Little Squirrel. It's a 4WD monster, powered by a turbocharged Honda VTEC motor and sporting a track almost as wide as the wheelbase is long.
But unlike his previous VTEC-powered '71 Clubman, this car was built explicitly for competition use and not just public sesson supercar shaming. That competition is club-level stage rallying, something that's as popular in Germany as it is anywhere.
Ringmini tackles the 'ring: Time For Tea?
World goes back to front as the famous Ringmini takes on a backwards lap of the Nordschleife
And what happens when the Nurburgring's local club organises a rally? Well, the whole Nordschleife becomes a special stage of course. In reverse, of course. The video below starts just after the second hair-pin up from Adenau, and you'll join the Nordschleife just before (or after) the Gantry of laptiming fame. The stage finishes just before the normal tourist entrance.
Needless to say, Achim doesn't need any notes whatsoever, so his co-driver Tamara Zenz just sits back to enjoy the ride. Which is exactly what we suggest you do too.
Watch the video here.
Discussion
I want a go!!!
The run down to Bergwerk from the Karrussell - I can see why they put a chicane in, the run into that corner in something quick would be absolutely terrifying and probably near impossible, a long right, tightening, into a sharp left would result in some fairly large holes in the armco followed by some high altitude spinning into the valley at 150mph+! Be fun to try though!
I've been on track with him a few times in the clubman van, sometimes in quicker stuff, sometimes him going past but always utterly hilarious and impressive all at the same time, I think I preferred the little van screaming its way round in some ways.
Brilliant.
The run down to Bergwerk from the Karrussell - I can see why they put a chicane in, the run into that corner in something quick would be absolutely terrifying and probably near impossible, a long right, tightening, into a sharp left would result in some fairly large holes in the armco followed by some high altitude spinning into the valley at 150mph+! Be fun to try though!
I've been on track with him a few times in the clubman van, sometimes in quicker stuff, sometimes him going past but always utterly hilarious and impressive all at the same time, I think I preferred the little van screaming its way round in some ways.
Brilliant.
When I read the intro, I was expecting the car to be bat-s
t crazy and all over the place.
I was very surprised at how well-sorted and composed it was, even though it's clearly very fast. No apparant twitchyness or madness about the thing, it just seems to go like the clappers whilst remaining quite composed.
The driver has a nice smooth style though, which must help.
t crazy and all over the place.I was very surprised at how well-sorted and composed it was, even though it's clearly very fast. No apparant twitchyness or madness about the thing, it just seems to go like the clappers whilst remaining quite composed.
The driver has a nice smooth style though, which must help.
Kawasicki said:
Enjoyed that, thanks.
Interesting that the Mid engined mini is road legal in Germany. How is that done? I'm thinking of road registering something not sensible there.
I could be wrong, but my understanding is that its the original age of the donor car that's allowing such massive leeway in the mods. And the engine is still in the front, but the radiator's in the back.Interesting that the Mid engined mini is road legal in Germany. How is that done? I'm thinking of road registering something not sensible there.
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