Sabine Schmitz, Legendary Nürburgring Powerhouse Dies at 51
Sabine Schmitz is the only woman to have won the 24 Hours of The Nurburgring and unfortunately lost her lengthy battle with cancer.
Sadly, the world of racing lost a legend. German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, former Top Gear presenter and “Queen of The Ring,” was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Unfortunately, she passed away on March 16th, 2021. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and had been battling it since.
The Drive took a look at her long and illustrious history in the world of racing in a recent memorial post. It reminds us all what an absolute powerhouse she was. Furthermore, it reminds us what a loss her passing truly is. From her first appearance on the iconic TV series Top Gear and her climb to eventually becoming a presenter on the show to her back-to-back wins of The 24 Hours of Nurburgring, there is no doubt on her impact on the racing world.
Queen of the ring
Way back in 1996, Schmitz became the first woman ever to win the legendary 24-hour endurance race at Germany’s Nurburgring behind the wheel of a BMW M3. The grueling track spans nearly 13 miles, and just one lap can be treacherous for inexperienced drivers. Even many professional drivers tread lightly. As if becoming the first woman to do it wasn’t enough to leave an impact on the world, she returned in 1997 and did it again. Once again, behind the wheel of a BMW M3.
Perhaps her most memorable Nurburgring moment, though, is one of her slower laps. Her first appearance on the worldwide hit show Top Gear was behind the wheel of a Ford Transit van. The goal was for her to lap the ring in under ten minutes. Her ulterior motive was to beat Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s time of 9:59 in a diesel Jaguar. Though she did not quite crack the ten-minute mark, the footage is unforgettable. In the clip, after Richard Hammond asks how many laps she’s done. She estimates she has done between 14,000 and 15,000 laps at the Which, we have no problem believing. Eventually, she would go on to become a host and driving coach on more recent seasons of Top Gear alongside the likes of Matt LeBlanc and Chris Hansen.
An episode of Top Gear airing in the UK this weekend is dedicated to her memory. The show’s executive producer Claire Pizey remembers Schmitz fondly.
“Sabine radiated positivity, always wore her cheeky smile no matter how hard things got, and was a force of nature for women drivers in the motoring world. Like everyone else who knew her, we will truly miss her; Sabine really was one of a kind. Our thoughts are with her partner Klaus, who was always by her side and who we welcomed to Dunsfold many times, and her family in Germany,” said Pizey.
Schmitz’s legacy will forever stand out in the racing world. Her long career leaves a mark on male and female drivers alike. If any discussion of the Nurburgring comes up pertaining to the last three decades, Sabine Schmitz will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation.
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