MINI Cooper sets Nurburgring lap record, on two wheels

MINI Cooper sets Nurburgring lap record, on two wheels

World record holder Han Yue takes three quarters of an hour to lap the 'Ring on two wheels in modified MINI Cooper S

A Chinese stunt driver has set one of the most daring (and slowest) Nurburgring lap records you’re ever likely to see, completing a full tour of the famous circuit on only two wheels in a MINI Cooper S.

World record holder Han Yue took 45 minutes to lap the Nordschleife while balanced on the car’s left side wheels. A new lap record was set in the process, and over 200,000 people watched the attempt live on Facebook.

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The MINI itself was modified for the feat, with a welded differential and a solid, airless construction tyre with six lugs replacing the MINI’s usual front left rubber.

Yue was escorted around the track by a fleet of support vehicles for the full 12.9 miles of the 'Green Hell', completed at an average speed of 17.4mph.

Yue explained that a strong vibration coming from the left rear tyre meant the lap was much slower than he would have liked, and pain in his left shoulder began to set in just a quarter of a way into the lap. The damp and cold track conditions also suggest that he could attempt a faster two-wheeled lap at some point in the future.

Yue’s is a two time Guinness World Record holder, and currently holds the gong for tightest parallel park – sliding a MINI into a space just 8cm longer than the car itself – and also holds the title for most donuts around a car driving on two wheels in a minute, using a BMW M4 on that occasion.

While the Nurburgring feat is eye-catching, it isn’t enough to beat two of the most remarkable two-wheeled world records. Guinness has the fastest speed driven on two wheels recorded at 115mph, while the longest distance driven on two wheels is 230 miles, achieved in a modified BMW E30.

How fast do you think Han Yue could go around the Nurburgring if he has a second attempt? Let us know in the comments...

Original Article