PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4

The second leg of our journey brought my wife and me to Nürburgring, Nürburg—a place that hardly needs an introduction. For any true car enthusiast, this is sacred ground. The history here is legendary, the atmosphere electric. And yes, I wasn’t just a spectator – I strapped into the passenger seat via the Ring Taxi for a full lap of the Nordschleife with a professional driver at the wheel. Renting a car had crossed my mind, but let’s be honest – here’s a reason this track is nicknamed “The Green Hell” and “Widow Maker.” Sometimes, common sense wins.

We had a 5:30 pm slot on a Wednesday. Arriving at the main Nürburgring information centre, I was surprised – it was eerily quiet. Only later did we learn the track was closed off for manufacturer testing. A handful of prototypes were flying by, but otherwise, silence. The weather added to the mood – bitterly cold, with track temps hovering around 12–13°C, a stark contrast to the 22°C warmth we’d left behind in Wolfsburg earlier that day.

When it came time to pick my ride, the choice was brutal but brilliant: Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992) or Mercedes AMG GT Black Series. Both weapons in their own right. In the end, Porsche won my heart – it just felt right. After the greetings, safety briefing, and paperwork, we waited until the track officially opened to the public. That’s when the Nürburgring transformed. What had been a ghost town suddenly erupted into life – cars of every kind storming in, from exotics to home-built racers, all eager to tame the Green Hell.

While waiting, I had a chance to chat with my driver – his name was Daniel (forgive me if I got this wrong). With the cold biting in, I asked the obvious: “Do you need to warm up the tires?” He just smiled and replied, “No, these are street tires.” That should have been my first clue – I was about to experience an all-out, no-holds-barred lap!

And then, the lap…

Over 8 minutes of pure adrenaline. Watching the video afterward helps, but it still doesn’t do justice to what it feels like. My perspective on driving was rewritten in real-time. Back home in Canada, I’ve always considered myself above-average behind the wheel (and let’s face it, our roads are filled with questionable drivers). But that illusion was shattered. What I thought I knew about handling, speed, and car control was completely reset.

By the time we rolled back into the pits, I was speechless. My wife described me perfectly: “quiet, utterly quiet.” It felt like my brain’s hard drive had been wiped clean.

This single lap was one of the most cherished moments of our entire trip. Thank you, Germany. Thank you, Nürburgring. Whether you choose to co-pilot with a pro (like I did) or dare to drive it yourself, every car enthusiast owes themselves this pilgrimage.

So, the question is – Do you have what it takes to conquer The Green Hell?

General Photos – Nürburgring Parking | Ring Arena | Track:

Videos – Manufacturer Testing Laps | My Lap: