A tantalizingly close encounter with the Nordschleife last year, as a passenger in a modified 350Z, only intensified my craving to be the one behind the wheel. While countless virtual laps and hours spent absorbing onboard footage have provided a tantalizing look into the Nürburgring’s allure, nothing can truly replicate the raw, visceral experience of conquering its challenging layout firsthand.
However, the reality of modified RX-7 presents a significant hurdle. The German authorities and track marshals are unlikely to look kindly upon the vehicle’s enhancements. It’s a bittersweet predicament the desire to push driving limits against such a legendary backdrop is immense, but the potential consequences are a sobering reality.
Misha, a seasoned racing driver with a history of pushing performance limits to the extreme, found himself once again at the heart of the action on the Nürburgring. Known for his aggressive driving style, he’s no stranger to controversy, as evidenced by the previous ban of his excessively loud FD RX-7.
This time, his chosen weapon was a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, equipped with the performance-oriented 1LE aero package. Under the hood lay a formidable supercharged LT4 V8 engine, capable of unleashing 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. However, the Camaro’s substantial weight of approximately 3,880 pounds presented a significant challenge in overcoming the laws of physics.
Despite the 1LE package’s enhancements to handling and grip, the Camaro’s lap time of just over seven minutes and sixteen seconds fell short of the benchmark set by the C7 ZR1. Restricted by the TouristDrive event’s regulations, Misha was unable to pursue a record-breaking attempt.
Adding to the challenges, the Camaro’s 10-speed automatic transmission unexpectedly overheated midway through the lap. Subsequent investigations revealed that inadequate maintenance by a mechanic was the root cause of the transmission failure, leaving both Misha and the car’s owner frustrated and disappointed.
