Daily Podcast: The Green Hell With It

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Today's editorial on the Nissan GT-R's Nürburgring record (second fastest-ever lap by a production car) raises some interesting questions about the veracity of that claim. On one hand, who cares? My first experience in a proper car on a proper track– riding shotgun in a tail-happy 911 with Jody Scheckter at Porsche's Weissach test track– taught me I could never do what professional drivers do to get a car around a track in as short a time as humanly possible. Nor, for that matter, did I want to. (Scary is just a word for nothing left to think.) Even if the GT-R can lap the 'Ring faster than a Porsche Carrera GT, I can't. Paint me respectfully unenthralled. On the other hand, what about the truth? Nissan knew full well that setting a 'Ring record would guarantee positive PR. If they cut corners or fudged the protocol to do the deed, they should be held accountable. In fact, Nissan should make a public statement on the issue, so that we may expose their weasel words, or murmur appreciatively over their mea culpa or issue an apology for besmirching their good name. The ball's in your court, Carlos.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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  • Joshvar Joshvar on May 22, 2008

    Maybe I'll get a response this time, but is something bothering Justin? Is he sick? Recovering from something (physical or otherwise)? He sounds way different than he did before he finished with his schooling.

  • Martin B Martin B on May 22, 2008

    @RF: "Jody Schecter" That would be Jody Scheckter, also known as "Sideways" Scheckter from his racing style. He was from the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Many years ago I was hitch-hiking through there when he picked me up one evening, driving an old Chev panel van pulling a trailer carrying a beautifully-prepared racing Ford Escort. The first few miles I tried not to have a heart attack at the speed he was going. Those Transkei roads are twisting and narrow, with the odd stray goat. But I realised he was a master -- completely in control, smooth and focused, the best driver I've ever known. No drama, just very, very fast. We never spoke. He dropped me outside Umtata. I said, "What's your name please? I'm a motor racing fan and I think you're a fantastic driver. I'd like to follow your career." A few years later he was F1 world champion with Ferrari.

  • Robert Farago Robert Farago on May 22, 2008
    Martin B: That would be Jody Scheckter, also known as “Sideways” Scheckter from his racing style. Oops. Text amended. He didn't say much to me, either. But then I wasn't particularly conversational at the time.
  • Rtz Rtz on May 22, 2008

    Nissan needs to get another GT-R and do it again to set the record straight.

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