Monday 12th August 2013

Bellof celebrated at Nordschleife

Derek Bell takes 956 round the 'ring to dedicate naming of 'Stefan Bellof S' corner

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Proud of your ability to rattle off Nurburgring corner names without a crib sheet? You need to add a new one to your mental checklist now, Stefan Bellof's never-beaten lap record and his legendary status earning him deserved ownership of one of the Nordschleife's bends.

Bellof's wrecked 956 at the corner now with his name

And own it he did. And knowing the way the Nurburgring operates his estate is probably still being chased for the Armco bill following his spectacular crash on the section of track that now bears his name. Previously known as 'Pflanzgarten three', 'the bit after the jump' or 'did I just leave my sump behind there?', the Stefan Bellof S as it's now officially titled is an appropriately terrifying section of track that occurs late in the lap just as you're starting to think 'yep, got this one in the bag safely...'

Bellof hadn't, punting the 956 he was sharing with Derek Bell in the 1983 Nurburgring 1000km backwards into the Armco after what was by all accounts a spectacular flip. This the day after setting that 6min11sec lap in qualifying, Bellof coolly climbing out of the wreckage to sign a few autographs as the race continued. Just in case you were wondering why he's considered a legend.

Team-mate Bell drove 956 to naming ceremony

To celebrate the naming of the corner Bell himself returned to the 'ring with the 956, driving a lap before pausing at the corner for a dedication ceremony with Bellof's family and friends.

A long overdue tribute, many would agree, but one put right in suitably appropriate style with the sight of a Rothmans 956 once again lapping the 'ring with Bellof's team-mate at the wheel. An exhibition dedicated to Bellof can also be seen at the Ring Werk.

Photos: Frozenspeedand LAT Photo (archive shots)

 

[paranha]

Great Tribute to a RingMeister from another.

[Mermaid]

Fitting tribute to a great talent.

[Agoogy]

Those photos of the 956 on track...what bloody gorgeous images they are....

[Dan Trent]

Aren't they just And before anyone asks you may just possibly be seeing one of them on Friday as POTW!

Cheers,

Dan

[Galileo]

It's about time.

[Quentin1]

...and the photographer was able to avoid the hideous convoy of Cayennes it was surrounded by while doing the two laps. Was more a presentation than Demonstration run, but an unforgettable sight indeed.

[Agoogy]

Dan Trent said:

Aren't they just And before anyone asks you may just possibly be seeing one of them on Friday as POTW!

Cheers,

Dan

splendid - either the head on shot (iconic)
or either of the two that have more scenery than car...

[Felix7]

Have a look at DB's FB feed http://tiny.cc/3q8o1w for video and images taken by both Sebastian and Misti, DB'second lap on Sunday was fast and film car free, he wanted to do a third flyer but ran out of time. A great tribute to Stefan Bellof, whose family were present, and very emotional for DB.

[Adenauer]

Quentin1 said:

...and the photographer was able to avoid the hideous convoy of Cayennes it was surrounded by while doing the two laps. Was more a presentation than Demonstration run, but an unforgettable sight indeed.

[johnnymaestro]

Great shots there. As stated earlier, that's POTW sorted.

[coolcamaro21]

Its nice to see a great tribute to a hugely talented driver R.I.P Stefan Bellof

[loudlashadjuster]

If you're of a similar age to me then I suspect that the Rothmans 956 is pretty much how the archetypal sportscar looks in your head.

Lovely, and a nice tribute.

[agtlaw]

Bell was in car #007 which, I think, was the car that Bellof binned (as shown above).

[Felix7]

agtlaw said:

Bell was in car #007 which, I think, was the car that Bellof binned (as shown above).

Full rebuild by Chris Crawfort who has done a great job with the car, DB felt it drove better than it did in its heyday, better rubber, shocks etc

Edited by Felix7 on Monday 12th August 12:59

[CampDavid]

Jochen (Frozenspeed) has to be one of the best in the business at getting a shot - Nice bloke too

[Baryonyx]

A beautiful car, and a fitting tribute to one of the true masters of motorsport.

[agtlaw]

CampDavid said:

Jochen (Frozenspeed) has to be one of the best in the business at getting a shot - Nice bloke too

Probably the best tree photographer in the world.

[Adenauer]

agtlaw said:

Probably the best tree photographer in the world.

Good job he didn't turn up for the event when a certain Leeds based Porschepranger thought it was going to happen?

[JMC1]

Great talent,
Great shame,
Great Car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkhVnv80_lc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0z9TbFW6tU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANmWWjJ7p1k

[agtlaw]

Adenauer said:

Good job he didn't turn up for the event when a certain Leeds based Porschepranger thought it was going to happen?

Completely misread something. Quickly corrected though. Excellent photos by the mrs btw.