BMW Ring Taxi - A Lap With Sabine Schmitz

** Update 17 March 2021 - I've just learnt through notifications on this video popping up on my phone, that Sabine has lost her years long battle with cancer. A very sad day. Rest In Peace Sabine, you will forever be known as the Queen of the Green Hell, The Worlds Fastest Taxi Driver, and many more very unique titles that were distinctly you. We will all miss your sense of humor too. I count myself very fortunate to have met Sabine, and to have had the lap this this video. You are forever immortalized in all of the amazing media showcasing your incredible talent. **
This is a lap of the "Green Hell" with Sabine Schmitz on the 5th of September 2010. It was great to have Sabine as our driver, and a huge thanks to her and BMW RingTaxi for the thrill of being driven at high speed on a track that takes many years to learn. We had so much fun, and highly recommend it to anyone going to Germany, that likes the Nurburgring, and isn't game enough to bring their own car, or hire a track day car. And we can't help but congratulate Sabine for saying the line "I tell you something, I could do that lap time in a van", which ultimately led to Jeremy Clarkson pretty much being beaten around the 'ring by Sabine in a diesel Ford Transit van. I hope to come back in a few years and do it again! Worth flying from Australia for :)

[@misterweedsmoke]

Rest in peace, Nurburgring Queen.

[@sbrookman2086]

Oh I just saw all the comments 😥 what a sad day! Sabine will be missed by many people, myself included. I’m so glad I had the chance to meet her and have a lap around the ‘Ring with her. Queen of the ring forever. RIP.

[@KitKitChanIsaac]

Queen of the Ring

[@gerjaison]

She turns Nurburgring Goddness today.

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

@@sbrookman2086 yeah man I only found out today myself. Long live the Queen

[@andreaswallschuss7184]

Another icon gone. R. I. P. Sabine

[@KwenaMotadi]

"30K laps.....and I'm still alive, can't be that bad" ~ Sabine

[@daskleinegluck4553]

Nürburgring didn't kill her. Sadly enough, cancer did. Race in Peace, lovely Sabine.

[@sbrookman2086]

I’ll for one will miss Sabines’ hilarious sense of humour, as I’m sure many will.

[@BoostedDeere]

In my chow voice from hangover “but did you die” 😂😂😎

[@garyvisser9129]

Yeah It would be too bad if you suffered for almost two yrs. slowly dying of inoperable brain cancer. That would be a damn shame.... ESADMF!!!!!!!!

[@daviddaniel7047]

She's so polite, she would've heard the same questions everyday. Lovely person , fantastic driver , RIP Sabine.

[@xanderkresh8962]

I'd be in good spirits all day everyday if this was my job.

[@Ogan_valorant]

i was suposed to get a round in the rin g but she died of cancer before we could try and it got flodded the day we were suposed to be therre anyways

[@olivereuro4170]

RIP Sabine. You're just a lap ahead of us all.

[@risk0systemsuk171]

Her brain is processing all that speed and allowing her to make lightening fast inputs as if she’s having a coffee and a chat. Beautiful, skilled and fun loving lady. Rest in peace speed empress.

[@KimonFrousios]

That's the beauty of "muscle memory" (and experience in general), it doesn't actually take much thinking to repeat a task for the 30000th time. All the variables and error margins have been pre-processed.

[@philt5782]

"No bumps on play station" Gotta love the wit of the Queen of the Ring. RIP lovely lady.

[@rustinpieces]

The honking on 11:56 - what a nice gesture. I've named my BMW after her - years ago, BTW - and I will keep calling my car Sabine, in her honour.

[@ali._.hallani]

RIP Sabine. You were and always will be a ring legend ❤️

[@tobiaspetzold2050]

Die best überhaupt!!!

[@32a34a]

R.I.P. Sabine. Now you can scare the crap out of the Angels when they drive with you.

[@CrazyhorseDK]

clarkson loved her ability to make him scream like a girl

[@bjornlillpers498]

Causually driving this twice as fast as I've ever done in a game, with one hand on the wheel, while having a conversation. RIP

[@hythesailor]

I love the way she nattered away as though she was on the way to Tesco but absolutely thrashed everything on the circuit!

[@donaldlee1044]

You have a special memory riding the ring taxi with Sabine. May she rest in peace.

[@mad-dog]

I’m a nobody from London and totally gobsmacked she passed away . Never met her but what a bubbly , talented, and full of life person . Gorgeous, talented and taken way to soon . RIP X

[@1994clue]

I have also never met her, but her dead was a shock for me. I saw her in Top Gear, she was so funny and full of life, and now she is dead, so young. I' m very sad!

[@louiandrews7]

Your not a nobody your a somebody who's still alive

[@josephomalley4094]

She was fearless and so effortlessly warm and charming . RIP Sabine .

[@billyminihan901]

It break my heart in pieces when I hear her voice. RIP

[@jurgenseifert1921]

Ich bin so traurig,das sie es nicht geschafft hat so ein lieber Mensch. Ruhe Frieden, mein Beileid an die Familie ich mochte sie so sehr.

[@TheJkghfg]

I love how Sabine is just having a causual conversation while overtaking literally every other car.

[@AntonyThorburn]

proper driver. nice

[@tobytoxd]

"proper"

[@sirboop4131]

"proper" Yes, proper.

[@6770connor]

So lucky to have had the opportunity to do this with such a legend. Rest in peace Sabine, you will be dearly missed.

[@charlesmiller1552]

Sabine was a very special talented women who loved competition. I will forever miss her smile. RIP Nürburgring Queen

[@sebastianbauer42]

So amazing. She absolutely sends it and is casually talking to the passengers. RIP Sabine.

[@petethegreekre]

You two, made it all the way to the ring from Australia? That's so cool, and you got to ride with the Queen who has inspired so many to race. She'll be dearly missed, a great loss to the racing World and beyond.

[@sbrookman2086]

Yes, I suppose only now I can see how lucky we were to have that lap with Sabine, who will be so missed!

[@swb7161]

She’s thinking the quicker I drive the quicker I can get this guy out the car. 😂

[@crazyjock999]

😂 aye there's a time and a place for small talk and this is not it. Taxi maybe, ring taxi shut up 😂

[@christiano8088]

😆

[@doug1570]

Just trying to be cool - and failing.

[@mistakendawg8885]

@@doug1570 y'all ripping into him for no reason, guy is clearly into cars and knows the iconic status of the ring. Let him ask the questions he wants to ask.

[@rauschi3863]

she made over 10000 rounds on that track.

[@benwu7980]

R.I.P. Sabine this is actually the first user video i've watched of her 'just another day on the ring taxi' , and it has me in tears

[@dereinegreg]

Unbelievable that she is gone now. She was such a happy and bright person. God bless her.

[@trackie1957]

Let's see...the guy who posted this video hired the ring taxi to get a ride around the 'Ring. Sabina's job is to give the folks a fun lap. She's got 2 passengers and no seat harness. She is carrying on a conversation (ok, she probably hears the same stuff from everybody) and dealing with traffic. On some corners she's deliberately drifting the car for the sake of providing thrills to her riders instead of preserving speed, and some of the commenters brag about besting her time? Trust me, if she saw a green flag drop, it would be very different! Loved the video, btw.

[@illusional1]

trackie1957 True. Thats a very comfy lap she does and she is so far the only woman who won the 24h race on Nürburgring. Think of that.

[@OlavBergman]

trackie1957 I almost crapped myself while watching this video... she is good.

[@ianwilmoth]

Trackle1957 gets it.

[@jimmysalterego]

I'm rather sure she could write a book, whilst drinking coffee, and making at least a two course dinner while driving around this track.

[@ldbrush9941]

"drifting" pffft, how about intentional over steer.

[@soundseeker63]

You get the impression she could do a decent fast lap of The 'Ring in her sleep! She knows it THAT well. She's driving the hell out of that M5 and passing just about every other vehicle there as if its standing still, all while having a polite and good humoured conversation...Impressive, terrifying and beautiful all at once. A true queen! R.I.P

[@lukem4580]

God bless her soul. I've never mourned a racing driver so much in my life, and I'm deeply saddened that I never got to ride the ring. RIP Sabine, you gorgeous soul. The track will never be the same without you.

[@garyvisser9129]

I'm so jealous too. Never be another Sabine ever... Never will get a ride with the OG. But these videos will last forever!!!

[@GuardianMB]

Ruhe in Frieden Königin der Nordschleife. 😢😢😢🌹🌹🌹 Brasilien trauert mit Ihnen...

[@Mr.NiceGuy80]

I miss Sabine so much. Her personality was absolutely infectious. Everyone talks about her amazing driving skills, but she was genuinely an excellent human being. R.I.P. Sabine. Maybe I'll meet you one day.

[@msenecal]

What a pleasant and talented person she was. We are all enhanced by having had her in our lives.

[@fleetc]

4:27 'How many G's would we pull? maybe 1, 1.5, 2?' -Sabine: 'No, maybe 1' - Then proceeds to pull 2Gs at the curve...

[@ryantillack6971]

After watching these videos of Sabine driving the ring taxi in the e60 M5, I went out and bought an e60 M5 last year. It's super cool watching her drive the V10 on the Nurburgring. I wish I would have went and gotten a ride from her in the ring taxi. Her appearances on Top Gear were super funny too. RIP Sabine.

[@hothatchfan472]

Love the passengers she could not scare them no matter how hard she tried. respect to the Australians. They just kept asking good questions that were relevant without any negativity. Knowledgeable people.

[@sbrookman2086]

Thanks mate! Love it. Any road with corners. Elevation changes are just a bonus.

[@AB-C1]

Sabine Schmitz was THE BEST ever, such a tragedy! She will be missed by SO MANY people!! R.I.P. Sabine, may your great SMILE and infectiously FUNNY personality and sense of humour, light up heaven! You were taken far too soon!.. ❤️🙏😥💔

[@esuohdica]

I saw this video a few times years ago, but I'm just back here today to say RIP Nürburgring Queen! You were a ray of light x

[@philldwyer5221]

This lady is awesome I do not think many guys could keep up with her!

[@Phillsen]

Phill Dwyer Well she's a professional race driver what did you expect?

[@Itachi8179]

Hmm, not so sure about that, shes around Danica Patrick level and lets just say shes not doing a really good job around guys...

[@richlee509]

Pervert

[@richlee509]

Sounds like a pervert

[@filipgudek1078]

Only a professional drives could keep up with her. 95% procent of people can not keep up with her

[@fitzdiggers-562]

Vale Sabine. Such a wonderful, sunny person whose enthusiasm infected all of those around her. A genuine heroine. Taken far too early. RIP.

[@scoutbloodinthewater9210]

These are the moments that we love and cherish from people that are currently not with us anymore, this did make me feel like I was in the car with sabine, rest in peace nurburgring queen💔

[@SeverityOne]

I'm scared of the Nürburgring, but not nearly as scared as I am of Sabine Schmitz.

[@hycron1234]

wise.

[@bobl78]

she´s not a woman, she`s a beast

[@ldbrush9941]

"scared" ... hell I wish I had her for an instructor when I was racing. Compared to Sabine I was still in a diaper and sucking on a bottle. I just might be in love.

[@Garf2O]

concerned? maybe, scared? no.

[@lorenzsabbaer7725]

she drove 962 so, well yes....... nothing more to say

[@paulasousa2879]

She made me smile so many times, the adrenaline, passion and her talent, such an amazing driver, I`ll continue smilling watching her racing forever...❤️

[@muppet000111]

I was in shock when I heard that she passed away yesterday, what a sad loss, rest in peace Sabine.

[@litestuf]

People like Sabine Never Die. Her infectious smile and laugh will always be there. She will be sorely missed. RIP Sabine.

[@scottthompson5855]

What a great ride. With Sabine you two were fantastic passengers. Thanks for letting me tag along. I hope you get your drive on the ring and remember this great day while piloting....Sabine will be with you in spirit....

[@rafaljaniczek8202]

R.I.P Sabine 😞 to young to not be with us it was always pleasure to watch your tv programs

[@asjc65]

I envy you guys having this Ring lap with a Legend! Thanks for sharing! RIP Sabine (Ring Queen). We salute you! 🌷

[@Mythocentric]

What a wonderful lady. The sound of her laughter was a pure joy to hear. RIP in peace my Queen of the 'Ring!

[@greatbritannialine]

Rest in peace to the greatest Nurburgring driver to ever live, wonderful funny woman and an absolute role model

[@npsit1]

It's hilarious that she is passing so many people with a 4 door sedan. Kinda like she did driving that van on Top Gear.

[@xxMegaHDxx]

Except its a 507hp 4 door sedan😂😂

[@wezelhond5572]

With A V10 😫

[@unleashmybicho]

All Hail The Queen!!

[@cb7pwn]

she doesnt give a shit! lol just another day at the office... what an amazing woman

[@kineticdeath]

I love how Sabine is just laughing and enjoying the whole thing. she was clearly born to be behind the wheel and getting to run laps around one of the worlds most famous tracks for a job has to be pretty awesome. Also whats with the people mover hogging the racing line? lol

[@noneofyourbusiness4294]

I think you mean, that they cross the sidelines? Inexperienced drivers, who just went too fast for their abalities, sometimes experienced drivers who still try to find the ideal line

[@bossboyritchno1287]

kineticdeath she was actually born in the village inside the ring!!! She grew up actually inside the circuit in nuberg! She's done well over 30.000 laps, so yes she was actually born to do this, this was her playground for real!!!

[@flat6fever680]

What a great video. Such enthusiasm from the customer and the driver. Nice souls both of you. R.I.P. Sabine. Thank you for sharing this.

[@jakubkrcma]

Bridge to gantry in 8:27, which is a nice time (with two passengers, traffic, drifting for fun, and chatting). In her own Porsche, she does ~7:30 with passengers! That is mega cool.

[@asiagobagel8293]

This is a 7 year old comment lol, but I recognize your name from the Assetto Corsa RSR leaderboard. You're an alien driver man, keep it up. No idea how you have so many world records.

[@paulhayton3423]

Goodnight Sabine, it was fun while it lasted.. R I P.

[@mross302]

This is the best capture of who she really was, god I love you sabine, rest in piece 🥰🥰

[@KTOWNK1D]

"Nine minutes, thirty-three." Sabine: "That was slow..." Hahahaha! Wow you have to love Sabine! Wow this was great. You guys were really lucky to get her for a lap. Thanks for uploading such a great vid. :)

[@3spokes]

Race In Paradise, Sabine Schmitz.

[@garyworden5014]

Love the fact she drives on the limit but has time for a bit of craic with her passengers. God rest her soul.

[@wendellbuchanan9447]

How awesome she was. Cool as COOL can be. What a wonderful personality. God bless 🙏❤️ God's Speed

[@moyadapne968]

'Fun job for you'. 'Sure, funny job'. Lost in translation.

[@pietskiet8763]

funny to look at victims!

[@rageshgr]

"No bumps on a Playstation" lol

[@kamikazei]

You are one lucky man. That's quite a life experience. I'd give anything to have Sabine whip me around the Nurburgring. Amazing vid.

[@wqbb287]

Got sad news for u fella...

[@kamikazei]

@@wqbb287 Yup, it's a sad sad day. Rest in Power, Sabine!

[@colinpinkerton4102]

A true Legend. Rest in Peace Sabine.

[@chrismorris3726]

Rest in peace, Sabine. Gone way to soon. What a super person she was. I will miss your sparkle...!!!

[@ivahardy4885]

Rest in peace Sabine, queen of the ring. X

[@SamhainBe]

She's probably up there right now showing God what his car can do...Rest in Peace Sabine - you will be missed.

[@lhayes7516]

and it wont be electric

[@leighsaunderson9203]

Treasure that experience for ever, it must have been *amazing*. R.I.P. Sabine.

[@TheEndokuken]

She Really Was One In a Million! She'll Be Missed Around The Ring!

[@petrhlavac9529]

I know "one in a million" is a saying. But it's a huge understatement in this case. There would be another 82 Sabines in Germany alone. There are none. There won't be anyone even close to Sabine Schmitz, ever :(

[@TheEndokuken]

Yes That's True, I Wish The FIA Would Honor Her By Letting The Formula One Drivers Lap The Eiffel Nurburgring For This Year's German Grand Prix.

[@m.d.5463]

Sabine made it fun and comfortable for you guys. A little drifting here and there. She once did the ride for a reality-tv show with a snooty guy who repeatedly told 'woman can´t drive' - BEFORE he was sitting next to her. Once she entered the cockpit he said 'oh no, not a girl'! Sabine replied 'is that a problem?' - 'No.' But she was stabbed already and took practically EVERY CORNER from the start to finish as a power drift. His face color turned white and green over the trip, he didn´t say a word. His only comment in the end was 'girl, YOU can drive! I´ll never again say women can´t drive!'. His wife who organized all that because she was suffering from her sexist husband was delighted! Mission accomplished! RIP Sabine Schmitz, you left a big hole in our racing hearts!

[@CrazyhorseDK]

rest easy Sabine you were truly unique and had the kindness of an angel was lucky enough to meet you twice

[@rjung_ch]

You were so lucky to hop a ride with the queen! RIP Sabine, you will never be forgotten.

[@sbrookman2086]

@mugget Haha, I'm not sure if they drift that much usually, but maybe Sabine just liked us? I think they drive to how people are reacting too, and we're doing 240kph and I'm just talking to her, not screaming or anything, so I think she was trying to make it more fun for us. She wasn't honking the volvo, It was because she was passing us all filming \ taking photos. On one corner (at 8:43) I'm talking to her, she beeps the crowd watching, and does a drift, while waving with one hand to th crowd!

[@StanleyKubick1]

the ring taxi usually drifts a fair bit

[@sebastianeberhardt2534]

Normaly drifts are Not allowed on Nürburgring But who Cares haha

[@ghoul1shgobl1n49]

That's awesome. Thank you for recording your time with the ring queen.

[@ianwilmoth]

Guy trying to keep up an intelligent conversation while he is coming in his pants... lol. I'd do the same mate, not judging.

[@stephendonlon3199]

* cumming

[@rburns989]

@@stephendonlon3199 or shitting in his pants 🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@DavidNesbit_theTHINKER]

Sabine Schmitz is a really fine high-speed driver and she almost makes it look "easy" but her skills are really top notch. Not sure if l would be prepared to take a ride in Sabine's taxi though..

[@PMH71]

Mate, really appreciate the video. My son's just bought 2006 M5 and it's a sensational car. A taxi ride with Sabine would be fantastic, have to add that to the bucket list, certainly worth a trip from Perth. Great to see an Aussie enjoying the experience, cheers mate

[@soundmaster1966]

Thank you for sharing your round with Sabine. What a nice and kind person she was. Stay safe and healthy. Greetings from Germany.

[@julienrobins4121]

Thank you for sharing your video. It's hard not to tear up watching it. Cheers Mate !

[@2002crewbus]

Very cool, looks like a blast, If I waited 10 years to do this I would ask her questions too, you may not get another chance. Thanks for posting this.

[@racer774]

What a great experience being able to ride a lap with Sabine. She is awesome. I think your girlfriend or wife is pretty awesome too! It seems she enjoyed the lap just about as much as you did and she didn't complain or scream. Win, win, win!

[@andrewsmith4575]

This must have been an awesome experience. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@bpeezy]

Omg how lucky for a fellow Aussie to have a lap with the queen. Rip Sabine

[@Sur-Ron]

You’re incredibly lucky you got to do this! I’m so gutted I will never get to do this! RIP Sabine! You absolute legend!!!

[@mr.h.specter2958]

es jährt sich bald wieder.. und dennoch kommt es einem vor, als ob es erst gestern passierte.., schmerzhaft.. aber auch sehr beneidenswert, das sie jede Minute ihres Lebens mit ihrem Traum auf Erden verbringen durfte !! .. alles Gute nach oben Sabine :)

[@rdrhouse]

RIP Sabine, the world will miss you.

[@DieselDave]

Great experience there bro. Treasure that for the rest of time! Cheers, dd

[@cessnaace]

I love Sabine. Rumor has it she is the current Stig on Top Gear UK. STAY AWESOME! :)

[@nybye]

Please...shes a very good and pretty female driver..thats it!

[@collinslfc]

cessnaace Some say that the Stig is not a person... Will the Stig continue? Probably not...

[@sbrookman2086]

+nybye I bet you're not laughing now that she's offically part of the new Top Gear cast!

[@MrPainfulTruth]

+nybye you are muslim?

[@nybye]

No...im a MAN!

[@drd6416]

I still shed actual tears. She was utterly brilliant and lovely with it.

[@multivan2001]

Very good Ringtaxi-video. I enjoyed it from the 1st to the last second. Greetings from Kiel, North Germany

[@coccobacile86]

Thank you for this video

[@weejim48]

This is definitely on my bucket list. 👍😃

[@GerwinPlanet]

Nice vid! And really nice hotel room :) Good to hear you had a good time in Europe.

[@notlikelymeph8966]

Brings tears to my eyes.

[@josephdupont]

What an amazing experience this must have been. A great ad for BMW

[@siegesfreud6473]

A section of the route or a curve should be named after her. R.I.P. Sabine. That we will never forget her.

[@alanworkman3040]

So so sad to hear the news of her passing. Such a talent taken from Us and such a loss for her family. Rest in peace.

[@JamesASmith-nm2qi]

THE QUEEN...............................................................................................................................................!!!

[@SirTubeALotMore]

When Me and my friends went to the ring in the 90s we had to wait a long time for the track to open and for a taxi driver. When we finally got clearance Sabine showed up in a racing suit and helmet and took us on a memorable lap that we never will forget. Rip Queen 👸

[@annnee6818]

I love how she just overtakes EVERYBODY. RIP queen.

[@merqury5]

She is a racecar drive with massive talent. I grew up close to the airport, I cant fly an airplane becaude of that. She is too nice.