My Time Trial Results

[Wan]

Competition Series

Renault Kangoo 1.4 (2001) vs Renault Twingo (1993)

Two humble Renaults, two completely different purposes — one built for practicality, the other for city life. On paper, neither promises speed, yet on the Nürburgring Nordschleife they reveal that performance is not always defined by horsepower. Sometimes, momentum, rhythm, and commitment become the deciding factors.

Renault Kangoo 1.4 (2001)

Power: 75 hp (stock)
Weight: 1080 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 10:43.121

This car cannot rely on power or straight-line speed — its strength lies in corners. But pure cornering alone won't make it truly fast. The secret is inertia: throwing the car into bends with momentum transforms the experience. A "slow" car doesn't need to be driven slowly; instead, embrace speed and rhythm to unlock its potential.

Renault Twingo (1993)

Power: 55 hp (stock)
Weight: 790 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 10:44.155

This is a car that cannot be forced — brute strength only leads to understeer, while holding back makes it sluggish. The key lies in the old formula: inertia and rhythm. Throw it into corners with momentum, then smooth everything out with rhythm. Power and weight offer little help, so maintaining flow is the only way to unlock speed.

Final Thoughts

Despite serving completely different roles, the Kangoo and Twingo finished only 1.034 seconds apart around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. That tiny gap proves a simple but fascinating truth: performance is not determined by purpose alone.

One carries extra weight and practicality, the other relies on lightness and simplicity. Yet both reward the same philosophy — preserving momentum, respecting inertia, and maintaining rhythm. Sometimes the greatest driving lessons come from the slowest cars.

 

[Wan]

Competition Series

Peugeot 2008 Allure (2021) vs Honda CR-V a:HEV EX Black Edition (2021)

Two modern crossovers built for everyday life, yet shaped by completely different engineering philosophies. One emphasizes agility through lightweight design, while the other relies on stability, refinement, and hybrid technology. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, this comparison proves that performance is not determined by horsepower alone, but by how each chassis manages weight, balance, and momentum.

Peugeot 2008 Allure (2021)

Power: 131 hp (stock)
Weight: 1192 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 9:23.700

This car constantly challenges the driver with persistent understeer. It isn't the easiest crossover to drive quickly, but it teaches an important lesson: preserving momentum while carefully managing front-end grip.

Rather than forcing the car through corners, the key is to make full use of its inertia before corner entry. Well-timed weight transfer allows the chassis to rotate more naturally, revealing a level of agility that its specifications alone would never suggest.

Honda CR-V a:HEV EX Black Edition (2021)

Power: 184 hp (stock)
Weight: 1700 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 9:26.632

A soft-suspension SUV that immediately surprises with its feedback. Although it initially feels loose and body movement is noticeable, the chassis delivers consistent and predictable responses that quickly build driver confidence.

Understeer remains its greatest limitation, but its true strength lies in stability and composure. Smooth, deliberate inputs allow the CR-V to carry speed with remarkable confidence, proving far more capable on the Nürburgring than its family-oriented character would suggest.

Final Thoughts

Separated by only 2.932 seconds, these two crossovers demonstrate that performance is not simply a matter of horsepower or weight. The Peugeot 2008 achieves its pace through agility, momentum, and precise weight transfer, while the Honda CR-V relies on stability, consistency, and driver confidence.

Different philosophies, different strengths, yet both arrive at remarkably similar results. Sometimes, the Nürburgring reminds us that understanding a car's character is far more important than chasing specifications alone.

 

[Wan]

Single Car Series

Porsche 911 RSR (991) (2017)

One of Porsche's most iconic modern endurance racers, the 911 RSR was engineered with a singular goal: extracting maximum performance through balance, precision, and consistency. Rather than relying solely on raw power, it demonstrates how refined engineering can become its greatest competitive advantage.

Porsche 911 RSR (991) (2017)

Power: 517 hp (stock)
Weight: 1243 kg (stock)
Tires: Racing Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 6:39.318



This race car immediately inspires confidence through its exceptional balance. Nothing feels exaggerated — every response is progressive, predictable, and remarkably composed.

Although its specifications may not appear dominant on paper, the harmony between chassis, aerodynamics, and power delivery allows it to carry impressive speed through every sector. Rather than overwhelming the driver, the 911 RSR rewards precision, rhythm, and consistency, proving that true performance comes from perfect equilibrium rather than brute force.

Final Thoughts

The Porsche 911 RSR (991) demonstrates that racing performance is not defined by horsepower alone. Its greatest strength lies in the balance of every component working together as one.

It is a machine that encourages precision over aggression, rewarding smooth inputs and disciplined driving. The result is a race car capable of delivering extraordinary pace while remaining approachable enough to let the driver explore its limits with confidence.

 

[Wan]

Single Car Series

Lexus RC F GT3 Prototype (2016)

Developed as the foundation of Lexus' GT3 racing program, the RC F GT3 Prototype combines durability, balance, and predictable handling into a machine built for endurance. Rather than chasing extremes, it focuses on delivering confidence through consistency.

Lexus RC F GT3 Prototype (2016)

Power: 535 hp (stock)
Weight: 1300 kg (stock)
Tires: Racing Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 6:45.991


The RC F GT3 Prototype feels dense and substantial rather than light and agile. That sense of weight is not a weakness — it forms the foundation of the car's remarkable stability and predictability.

Power delivery is smooth and progressive, encouraging the driver to work with the car instead of forcing it. Rather than demanding aggression, it rewards patience, rhythm, and precise control. Once its character is understood, the RC F GT3 becomes an exceptionally trustworthy machine capable of delivering consistent performance lap after lap.

Final Thoughts

The Lexus RC F GT3 Prototype proves that confidence can be just as valuable as outright speed. Instead of relying on dramatic behavior or overwhelming performance, it builds trust through composure, balance, and consistency.

It is a race car that rewards drivers who understand its rhythm, demonstrating that true endurance performance is achieved not through aggression, but through precision and cooperation between driver and machine.

 

[Wan]

Competition Series

Toyota HIMEDIC (2021) vs Toyota HiAce Van DX (2016)

Built upon the same commercial vehicle foundation, these two Toyotas were designed for entirely different missions. One exists to transport lives in emergency situations, while the other serves as a dependable workhorse for everyday utility. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, however, both reveal an unexpected truth: beneath their practical appearances lies a fascinating study of weight transfer, momentum, and chassis behavior.

Toyota HiAce Van DX (2016)

Power: 136 hp (stock)
Weight: 1680 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 10:47.684

A van with surprisingly capable chassis feedback, yet constantly limited by its high center of gravity. Weight transfer is pronounced, body roll is substantial, and every corner demands careful momentum management.

Its performance figures may seem modest, but extracting speed is anything but easy. Preserving flow while controlling the van's mass becomes the true challenge, turning every lap into a rewarding exercise in finesse, patience, and precision.

Toyota HIMEDIC (2021)

Power: 160 hp (stock)
Weight: 2860 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 11:24.911

Despite its immense weight and towering center of gravity, the HIMEDIC surprises with sharp and responsive steering. Rather than feeling clumsy, the chassis communicates clearly and inspires confidence once its behavior is understood.

Heavy braking loads and pronounced weight transfer dominate every corner, demanding anticipation instead of reaction. By working with its inertia rather than fighting against it, meaningful pace can still be extracted from this demanding and unconventional machine.

Final Thoughts

Separated by just 37.227 seconds, these two utility vehicles demonstrate that engineering purpose shapes driving character just as much as outright performance. The HiAce rewards careful momentum management through simplicity, while the HIMEDIC challenges the driver to master nearly three tonnes of mass with precision and foresight.

Neither was designed to chase lap records, yet both reveal surprisingly engaging driving experiences. Sometimes the most memorable lessons at the Nürburgring come not from sports cars, but from the vehicles built to serve people every single day.

 

[Wan]

Single Car Series

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5) (2001)

An icon of naturally aspirated American performance, the C5 Z06 delivers speed through simplicity rather than complexity. Beneath its muscular appearance lies a machine that rewards discipline, precision, and a deep understanding of its character.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5) (2001)

Power: 390 hp (stock)
Weight: 1409 kg (stock)
Tires: Sports Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 7:41.294


The C5 Z06 may appear approachable at first, but its true nature demands respect. Its weight transfer is pronounced, and throttle application must be carefully managed throughout every corner.

Apply the throttle too aggressively and the front tires begin to push wide; hesitate too much and valuable momentum is lost. It is a car with a raw, uncompromising personality, yet one that follows clear and predictable principles. Rather than forcing the car to obey, the fastest laps come from constantly adapting to its rhythm and balancing aggression with restraint.

Final Thoughts

The Corvette Z06 (C5) demonstrates that great performance is not achieved through power alone, but through the relationship between driver and machine.

Its character remains raw, mechanical, and demanding from the first corner to the last. Yet once its rhythm is understood, every input becomes more natural, revealing a sports car that rewards commitment, precision, and respect with an engaging and deeply satisfying driving experience.

 

[Wan]

Competition Series

Nissan GT-R NISMO (2017) vs Nissan GT-R Premium Edition (2017)

Two versions of the same R35 GT-R, separated not by generation, but by philosophy. The Premium Edition represents the balance between everyday usability and high performance, while the NISMO pushes the same foundation toward a more focused track-oriented experience.

On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, this comparison reveals how engineering changes can transform the personality of an already legendary machine.

Nissan GT-R Premium Edition (2017)

Power: 572 hp (stock)
Weight: 1770 kg (stock)
Tires: Sports Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 7:34.636

The Premium Edition feels more approachable, delivering performance without sacrificing usability. Its power delivery is smoother and more forgiving, allowing the driver to enjoy both comfort and excitement in equal measure.

However, its 1770 kg mass remains the defining challenge. Managing understeer, inertia, and AWD torque distribution becomes essential, requiring careful control of every input. It is a machine that combines everyday refinement with genuine performance capability, rewarding drivers who understand how to balance both sides of its personality.

Nissan GT-R NISMO (2017)

Power: 600 hp (stock)
Weight: 1740 kg (stock)
Tires: Sports Medium (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 7:12.573

The GT-R NISMO is far more than a higher-powered GT-R — it represents a shift from a road-focused performance car into a machine with stronger circuit intentions.

Its greatest challenge is not horsepower, but mass. Every braking zone, steering input, and throttle application must account for its 1740 kg inertia. Trail braking, AWD torque distribution, and weight transfer control become essential skills.

Demanding yet rewarding, the NISMO transforms fundamental racing techniques into extraordinary pace, rewarding precision and discipline over aggression.

Final Thoughts

Separated by 22.063 seconds, these two R35 GT-Rs demonstrate that performance is not created by numbers alone — it is shaped by purpose.

The Premium Edition remains a remarkable balance between comfort, usability, and performance, offering a dual personality that works both on the road and the track. The NISMO, however, takes the same foundation and refines it into a sharper, more demanding instrument focused on precision.

Both share the same legendary DNA, yet they deliver completely different experiences. One is a high-performance road car with track capability; the other is a road-legal machine built with a stronger racing mindset.

 

[Wan]

Competition Series

Renault R4 GTL (1985) vs Fiat Panda 30 CL (1985)

Two European economy cars from the same era, built with simplicity and efficiency as their highest priorities. With barely more than 30 horsepower available, outright speed is never the objective. Instead, this comparison explores how two lightweight hatchbacks tackle the Nürburgring through momentum, balance, and driving technique rather than performance alone.

Renault R4 GTL (1985)

Power: 34 hp (stock)
Weight: 720 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 12:46.259

The R4 GTL lives almost entirely on steering timing and momentum. With only 34 horsepower, every mistake becomes permanent because straight-line acceleration offers little chance to recover lost time.

Its lightweight chassis responds naturally to weight transfer, allowing the driver to rotate the car smoothly through corners while preserving precious speed. Precision, rhythm, and patience define every lap, proving that simplicity can become surprisingly rewarding when driven with proper flow.

Fiat Panda 30 CL (1985)

Power: 30 hp (stock)
Weight: 650 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Hard (stock)
Track: Nürburgring Nordschleife
Lap Time: 13:37.781

Although lighter than the Renault, the Panda's lower output creates an even greater challenge. Every uphill section exposes its lack of power, while stronger understeer demands careful momentum preservation throughout the lap.

Braking must be minimized, steering kept smooth, and every corner approached with commitment. It feels more lively than the R4, yet far less forgiving, punishing even small interruptions to rhythm with significant losses in speed.

Final Thoughts

Separated by 51.522 seconds, these two economy cars demonstrate that low horsepower does not eliminate driving technique—it magnifies it.

The Renault R4 GTL rewards smoothness, consistency, and efficient use of momentum, making it the more forgiving companion. The Fiat Panda 30 CL, however, demands greater commitment and precision, where every unnecessary brake application or loss of flow carries a heavier penalty.

Neither car was built for speed, yet both reveal an important truth: when power disappears, driving skill becomes the greatest source of performance.

 

[Wan]

Driver's Perspective Series

Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31) (1987)

Some cars fight against oversteer. The Skyline GTS-R embraces it.

Rather than chasing absolute grip, it delivers a driving experience built around balance, rhythm, and controlled movement. Its personality is playful without becoming intimidating, inviting the driver to work with the chassis instead of forcing it into submission.

Nissan Skyline GTS-R (R31) (1987)

Power: 210 hp (stock)
Weight: 1340 kg (stock)
Tires: Comfort Soft (stock)
Track: Tsukuba Circuit
Lap Time: 1:10.897



The first impression is how naturally the car wants to rotate. Its rear end feels light and eager, yet never unpredictable. Every slide develops progressively, allowing the driver to sense exactly where the limit lies before confidently bringing the car back into line.

Many would instinctively increase grip through suspension changes or stickier tires. Ironically, doing so removes much of what makes this Skyline memorable. Its greatest strength is not resisting movement, but using controlled weight transfer and inertia to shape each corner. Once that philosophy is understood, the car becomes remarkably enjoyable and surprisingly confidence-inspiring.

Driver's Verdict

The Skyline GTS-R is not a car that rewards perfection—it rewards understanding.

Its playful balance encourages the driver to embrace movement rather than fear it, transforming controlled oversteer into an essential part of the experience. Instead of chasing maximum grip, it celebrates the art of driving with feel, rhythm, and trust.

Who is this car for?

Drivers who enjoy communicating with the chassis, exploring weight transfer, and discovering that sometimes the fastest way through a corner begins with allowing the car to move naturally.

 

[Wan]

Driver's Perspective Series

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 V.spec II (1994)

A legend often defined by its performance numbers, the R32 GT-R reveals a different kind of character from behind the wheel. Its greatest strength is not aggression, but the confidence it gives the driver — creating a feeling of stability, control, and connection that encourages you to explore its limits.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 V.spec II (1994)

Power: 311 hp (stock)
Weight: 1500 kg (stock)
Tires: Sports Hard (stock)
Track: Tsukuba Circuit
Lap Time: 1:05.793



Despite weighing 1500 kg, the R32 GT-R never feels like a heavy machine. Instead, it delivers an immediate sense of confidence through its stability and composed chassis behavior.

Its handling character exists in a fascinating balance between understeer and neutrality. The front end occasionally hints at pushing wide, while the rear remains ready to assist rotation without becoming unpredictable. This constant tension between the front and rear creates a unique driving sensation — unusual at first, yet increasingly natural as trust develops.

The most memorable feeling comes through corners and exits. The rear seems to momentarily hold the car back before releasing, allowing the GT-R to settle and accelerate forward with impressive determination. It feels as though the AWD system is constantly managing the balance between control and momentum, turning traction into something you can feel rather than simply rely on.

The R32 rewards smooth inputs, patience, and confidence. It does not demand aggression; instead, it builds a relationship with the driver through consistency and trust.

Driver's Verdict

The R32 GT-R demonstrates that confidence itself can become a form of performance.

Rather than overwhelming the driver with extreme reactions, it creates a feeling of security that allows speed to develop naturally. Its unique balance between front and rear, combined with the character of its AWD system, makes every corner a conversation between the driver and the machine.

Who is this car for?

Drivers who value precision, stability, and the feeling of a chassis working with them rather than against them. The R32 GT-R is not about fighting the car — it is about learning to trust it.