Sabine Schmitz

3.1. Nürburgring Achievements

Growing up with the Nürburgring Nordschleife as her backyard, Schmitz and her sisters occasionally drove the family car on the circuit. While all three sisters initially pursued racing, Sabine was the only one who continued to compete and secure notable victories. She achieved success in various Nürburgring-based race events, including the CHC and VLN series. In 1998, she won the VLN endurance racing championship.

Her most significant triumphs at the Nürburgring were her two overall victories in the grueling 24 Hours Nürburgring race, achieved consecutively in 1996 and 1997. Competing under her married name, Sabine Reck, she drove a BMW M3 Group N car, co-driven by local veteran Johannes Scheid. These victories made her the first woman to win a major 24-hour endurance race outright. In 2006, Schmitz began competing in the Nürburgring VLN endurance racing series with Klaus Abbelen, driving the #97 Porsche 997 for Land Motorsport. They achieved a commendable third-place finish in the 2008 Nürburgring 24 Hours. Her later results at the 24h Nürburgring included ninth place in 2011 and sixth place in 2012, both in a Porsche.

Schmitz gained immense public attention for driving one of the two BMW M5 "Ring Taxis" around the 13 mile ^{(20.8 km)}-long Nordschleife. Her exuberant and entertaining driving style quickly made her a fan favorite. She estimated that she had driven around the track more than 20,000 times, adding approximately 1,200 laps each year. This unparalleled familiarity with the circuit led to her famous nicknames: "Queen of the Nürburgring" and "the fastest taxi driver in the world." She often stated that her favorite parts of the track were the Schwedenkreuz (Swedish Cross) and Fuchsröhre (Fox Hole). Schmitz ceased driving the "Ring Taxi" herself in 2011.

Beyond her driving, Schmitz also managed her own company, Sabine Schmitz Motorsport, based at the Nürburgring. This venture offered advanced driver training and a "Ring Taxi" service for passengers, further solidifying her connection to the legendary circuit.

3.2. Other Race Participations

While the Nürburgring was her domain, Sabine Schmitz also competed in other notable race series.

In 1995, competing as Sabine Reck, she contested the South African Touring Car Championship (AA Fleetcare Super Touring Championship). She drove an E36 BMW Super Touring car for BMW SA Motorsport, alongside teammates Deon Joubert and Shaun Van Der Linde. Despite high expectations, Schmitz faced challenges in the championship, consistently being outqualified and outpaced by her more experienced teammates who were familiar with the local tracks. A mid-season crash with Toyota driver Mike White during an open practice session at Killarney resulted in neck injuries and a damaged right knee, forcing her to miss three consecutive race meetings. She finished last in the Class A points standings for the 1995 season, without any race wins, pole positions, or fastest laps, and did not return for the 1996 season.

Schmitz also participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) for two seasons. In 2015 and 2016, she drove a Chevrolet Cruze TC1 for All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport. Her appearances were predominantly at the German rounds of the championship, held at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

4.1. Early Appearances and D Motor

As her fame grew, particularly as "the fastest taxi driver in the world," Schmitz was frequently invited as an occasional motorsport guest commentator. She became known for her distinctively dry yet gleeful descriptions of driving incidents. In September 2006, Schmitz began co-hosting D Motor, a German motoring show on the DMAX TV channel. On the show, she engaged in various challenging segments, such as pitting a Ferrari 360 against a 1,200 horsepower race truck, or a Formula Renault race car against a race sidecar. Her television presence extended to British programming as well, with appearances on Fifth Gear. Her first notable appearance on British television was in the 2002 BBC program Jeremy Clarkson: Meets the Neighbours, where she famously drove Jeremy Clarkson around the Nürburgring in her "Ring Taxi."

4.2. Top Gear

Sabine Schmitz achieved significant international recognition through her appearances on the BBC television program Top Gear. Her debut on the show in December 2004, alongside presenter Jeremy Clarkson, became an iconic moment. After Clarkson, with Schmitz's tutelage, set a lap time of 9 minutes 59 seconds around the Nürburgring in a Jaguar S-Type diesel, she famously quipped, "I tell you something, I do that lap time in the van." She then drove the Jaguar S-Type herself, completing a lap in 9 minutes 12 seconds, beating Clarkson's time by 47 seconds. The film crew struggled to keep up with her speed, eventually needing Jaguar test driver Wolfgang Schubauer to drive a Jaguar S-Type R chase car to film her.

In a later, equally famous episode (Series 6, Episode 7), Schmitz attempted to beat Clarkson's Jaguar lap time in a Ford Transit diesel van. Despite applying weight reduction techniques (such as removing wheel caps, the spare tire, tools, and fellow presenter Richard Hammond) and utilizing slipstreaming behind a Dodge Viper, she completed the lap in 10 minutes 8 seconds, missing Clarkson's time by just 9 seconds.

In 2008, Schmitz, along with fellow D Motor presenters Carsten van Ryssen and Tim Schrick, participated in a "Top Gear Vs the Germans" challenge on Top Gear (Series 11, Episode 6). This comedic competition featured various challenges between the British and German teams. For instance, they competed with MINI Coopers, each team claiming the car as their own national vehicle, and a double-decker car challenge where Schmitz and her team defeated Clarkson's pair.

Her popularity and undeniable talent led to calls for her to become a permanent presenter. In March 2015, The Guardian published a satirical article advocating for Schmitz to be the new Top Gear presenter, noting her "right mix of knowledge and boisterousness" and humorously suggesting that her being both German and a woman would "self-destruct" the program, which they argued would be "the best outcome for everyone involved." The public and media's positive reception to her led to an official announcement in February 2016 from the BBC that Schmitz had been selected as a presenter for the revamped Top Gear, a role she embraced alongside other new presenters.

6.1. Death

Sabine Schmitz died on March 16, 2021, at the age of 51. She passed away at a hospital in Trier, Germany, due to complications from cancer, a battle she had fought since her diagnosis in late 2017. Her death marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to speed, adventure, and breaking barriers.

6.2. Posthumous Honors and Influence

Following her death, Sabine Schmitz received a significant posthumous honor that cemented her enduring legacy at her beloved home track. In June 2021, the Nürburgring management officially renamed the first corner of the Nordschleife loop the "Sabine-Schmitz-Kurve" (Sabine Schmitz Corner) in her honor. This tribute recognized her profound connection to the circuit and her immense contributions to its history.

Schmitz's influence extends far beyond her race wins and television appearances. As the first woman to win a major 24-hour endurance race and a prominent figure in a male-dominated sport, she became an inspiring role model for aspiring female racers worldwide. Her vibrant personality, daring driving style, and ability to connect with audiences made her a beloved and unforgettable icon. She demonstrated that women could compete and excel at the highest levels of motorsport, actively breaking gender stereotypes and paving the way for future generations. Her legacy is one of courage, passion, and a fearless pursuit of excellence, leaving an indelible mark on both motor racing and entertainment.