Legendary Driver and Top Gear Host Sabine Schmitz Dies

Colin
By Colin Wood
Mar 18, 2021 | Nürburgring, Sabine Schmitz

Few individuals became as synonymous with the Nürburgring as Sabine Schmitz, who passed away yesterday after a lengthy cancer illness, She was 51.

Schmitz may have been best known for her work as a Nürburgring Ring Taxi driver and appearances on programs like "Top Gear"—first as a guest and later as a host. She also enjoyed a successful racing career, securing two victories at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring—the only woman to do so—as well as wins in the former CHC and VLN series.

It was not until last year that Schmitz revealed her cancer diagnosis, which she said she had received in 2017.

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Comments
pinchvalve (Forum Supporter)
pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/17/21 10:24 a.m.

I am gutted. I just loved everything this amazing woman has done and achieved, she was such a talent and ambassador for the sport.  This just plain sucks.

sir_mike
sir_mike New Reader
3/17/21 10:30 a.m.

Sad day for motorsports....you will be missed....RIP dear lady

thedoc
thedoc GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
3/17/21 10:30 a.m.

Fricking horrible

You felt like you knew her.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter)
captdownshift (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
3/17/21 11:00 a.m.

What can we as a community do to honor her legacy? GRM has a close working relationship with The Firm, can we establish a scholarship to the firm for a female driver who embodies sportsmanship and is an ambassador to the sport? 

 

For it to be sustainable, it would likely need to have some marketing value. IE a corporate sponsorship in addition to exposure for the firm. Possibly drivers running decals in order to be eligible, which would raise awareness and promote to scholarship and it's partners. In addition GRM staff could provide a crash course in producing press releases to promote themselves and the series in which they compete (in addition to being a driving force in promoting the cause and ensuring that it strives to promote driver diversity and is not sexualized). 

 

Big picture, I'd love to see this happen.

 

Short term, how about an Iracing enduro at the ring in the slowest vehicle imaginable. Entry fee of $40 per a driver and 100% of proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. 

Feedyurhed
Feedyurhed UltraDork
3/17/21 1:39 p.m.

Horrible news.  It was always on my bucket list to do a lap with her at the ring.  Heart breaking. 

LopRacer
LopRacer Dork
3/17/21 1:48 p.m.

Damn. That sucks.

f1carguy
f1carguy New Reader
3/17/21 1:56 p.m.

I am deeply saddened by Sabine's passing. The German motor sports world has lost one of the nicest, fun and talented driver ever.

I hate 2020 and the corona virus because I had planned to visit friends in the Eifel and drive on the ring. My best friend's brother is a master forest ranger in that area. Again – don't put off what you can do today.

Sabine will be missed. RIP.

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/17/21 2:00 p.m.

Posting so the threads can be linked as there are comments from others over here >>https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/the-ring-has-lost-her-queen/182039/page1/

 

 

Txsilverbalt
Txsilverbalt New Reader
3/17/21 2:26 p.m.

In reply to captdownshift (Forum Supporter) :

How about a campaign in her honor?

You take a lap around the 'ring in your simulator of choice (or the real thing if you're able) and donate the 25-30 euros (the actual cost of a lap around the ring) to cancer research.

Also love the idea of the worlds slowest endurance race

Vajingo
Vajingo HalfDork
3/17/21 3:53 p.m.

How about we just remember her. No "Jesus we have to do SOMETHING!"

just remember her folks. There are way too many "causes" these days. Not everything needs a crusade. 

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