The Nürburgring — the “Green Hell” in Jackie Stewart’s famous phrase — is simultaneously a proving ground, an iconic racetrack, and a death trap. Since the track was completed in the 1920s, more than 65 competitors have died in professional races; many more have done so on racing privately, and in March a spectator died after a car flew off one of the track’s 160 turns.
None of which stopped more than 200,000 people from descending on the tiny town of Nürburg earlier this month to celebrate, cheer and drink their way through one of racing’s wilder days, the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. ……
