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Everytime there is a lap record beaten it is always argued by the manufacturers to the legality of the attempt and the actual class of the Vehicle.

So last night I spent some time just going through the Historic and other controversial lap records, I wasnt really interested in the class of car nor the actual legality of it on the road.

I want to do this on the Technological achievements of engine development through the Years.

In the past couple of years here are the top 5 lap times:-

All the above times has caused stirs in the industry to the legality of the record arguing that for Example:-

1. “The Radical SR8 LM would not pass a German TUV test so is not really a Road Legal Car.”
2. “The Gumpert is not really a mass production  sportscar so doesnt count.”
3. “Ferrari have made there own class and the only one in it.”

All in all we could spend hours arguing over the legality and validity of the above times and also non of the above cars was scrutineered to prove it’s as per production.

So what is the conclusion of the above nothing really, but the Radical SR8 is the fastest trackday weapon for relatively little cash.

I wasnt happy with that conclusion, So I went back to the wiki to compare competition Classes, two stood out:-

 So my conclusion is that the Radical SR8 LM is better than the Ferrari 312T built in 1975, and still chasing the Porsche’s 956 6.11 made in 1983.

So after years of development and manufacturers insistance to add electronics and safety cells in turn increased weight hasnt really achieved the same lap times as competition class cars from nearly 30 years ago.

And heres a tribute for the best ever Nordschleife Recorded Lap Record Stefan Bellof 6:11

So the next topic of debate has the track changed from past-present but I will save that for somebody else to address…..

Sources:- Wikipedia,Pistonspy