M5 Ring Taxi Future In Doubt (Update: Sabine out)

[SchnellM3]

From homepage:

The future of the M5 ring-taxi is in doubt and if it does return, Sabine will not be its driver. This news comes as a shock to ring taxi and Sabine fans, as the company who runs the Ring Taxi, OK Speed Marketing has confirmed that it will not return to run the ring taxi. However, the Nurburgring track has responded that it's merely unclear at the moment which company will run the ring taxi going forward (see below).

Update from Manfred Strack, Nürburgring Automotive GmbH via the German-language only touristenfahrerforum.de forums: "Ist aber so nicht richtig. Im Moment ist noch nicht ganz klar, wer das BMW Ring-Taxi betreiben wird. Ossi Kragl ist auf jeden Fall raus und Sabine auch. Weitergehen wird es aber."

Translation to English: "This is not completely true. At the moment it's uncertain who will run the BMW Ring-Taxi service. Ossi Kragl is out anyway, and Sabine too. But it will go on."

So Sabine and OK-Speed-Marketing are out of the picture.

Courtesy of http://www.bridgetogantry.com/2/inde...&Itemid=300053

Video of M5 ring taxi

[persian54]

[Jason]

No, it seems that it's just currently undecided who will run the BMW ring taxi. But Sabine looks to be out as the driver

Courtesy of http://www.bridgetogantry.com/2/inde...&Itemid=300053

Update from Manfred Strack, Nürburgring Automotive GmbH via the German-language only touristenfahrerforum.de forums: "Ist aber so nicht richtig. Im Moment ist noch nicht ganz klar, wer das BMW Ring-Taxi betreiben wird. Ossi Kragl ist auf jeden Fall raus und Sabine auch. Weitergehen wird es aber."

Translation to English: "This is not completely true. At the moment it's uncertain who will run the BMW Ring-Taxi service. Ossi Kragl is out anyway, and Sabine too. But it will go on."

So Sabine and OK-Speed-Marketing are out of the picture.

[auggiem3]

Sucks - I rode with her in 2008 on a foggy day. She was drifting into blind hazy corners with a huge grin...

[davem3fan]

Man, you don't mess with tradition. This really stinks!

[mkoesel]

Maybe Sabine refused to go to a Turbo V8 after living in the glorious S85 V10 for the past six years. Might as well go out on a high note before and get out before the dumbing down of the M Division is complete.

I kid, but I am half serious.

[Deltari09]

NO MORE SABINE SHMITZ AS RING TAXI!?!?!

!!!

[SoonerMCoupe]

I was their in summer of 2007. I saw Sabine in the RingTaxi coming up behind me in the first section as you look down onto the GP track.

I let her by, and by the time I hit the straight leading into the jump she and her fare were long gone. Granted I was in a rented A4 turbo diesel with my backpack and stuff flying around the trunk.

Still one of the best days of my life. This turmoil at the Ring makes me feel ill. I can only hope that I can return some day soon. Even if the RingTaxi is no more, Sabine will be be out there lapping I'm sure.

[stega]

Yeah The Ring has major problems at the moment...

The problem is Sabine was the ring taxi!!

[ArabianSensation]

Damn. That was definitely on my Germany to-do list....

[GOLFFRR]

bummer

[SunnyD]

Truly a shame. I never had a chance to make it to Germany and get a ride around the Ring with Sabine

[ADV.1 Matt]

But but but I haven't gone and done it yet... BOOOOO!

[jonasaurus]

massive booo

[Stormtroooper]

hearts are breaking all around the world right now...

[Elsabor67]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Maybe Sabine refused to go to a Turbo V8 after living in the glorious S85 V10 for the past six years. Might as well go out on a high note before and get out before the dumbing down of the M Division is complete.

I kid, but I am half serious.

Part of the embroilment with the whole Nurburgring fiasco is in part the current owners of the 'ring trying to outmuscle establishments that have provided service to people that come to the 'ring alot over the decades. Some of those establishments are owned by both Sabine and her mother (which serves an awesome meal) and others in the town for years.

Given the severe friction amongst the 'Ring Gmbh and all of the establishments in the surrounding towns due to the practices and low-handed tactics of Mr. Linder and Richter (owners of the 'ring) of not honoring track times and other things to people that come and do not stay in "approved" Nurburgring establishments. The people feel that their main livelihood is at stake.

To give you an example, RSR Nurburg was a staple for people that would take trip to the 'ring and rent track prepped cars and enjoy their time on the track. They were banned out of the blue by Nurburgring GMBH for supposed "safety violations" which were never proven but never the less, since its now owned privately the new owners can do what they want. Funny thing is was when RSR got banned, an announcement was made between a joint venture between 'Ring GMBH and Zakspeed perofrmance to provide track prepped cars for customers that came from far away to run the 'ring at a VERY HIKED UP price.

[stega]

Originally Posted by Elsabor67

Part of the embroilment with the whole Nurburgring fiasco is in part the current owners of the 'ring trying to outmuscle establishments that have provided service to people that come to the 'ring alot over the decades. Some of those establishments are owned by both Sabine and her mother (which serves an awesome meal) and others in the town for years.

Given the severe friction amongst the 'Ring Gmbh and all of the establishments in the surrounding towns due to the practices and low-handed tactics of Mr. Linder and Richter (owners of the 'ring) of not honoring track times and other things to people that come and do not stay in "approved" Nurburgring establishments. The people feel that their main livelihood is at stake.

To give you an example, RSR Nurburg was a staple for people that would take trip to the 'ring and rent track prepped cars and enjoy their time on the track. They were banned out of the blue by Nurburgring GMBH for supposed "safety violations" which were never proven but never the less, since its now owned privately the new owners can do what they want. Funny thing is was when RSR got banned, an announcement was made between a joint venture between 'Ring GMBH and Zakspeed perofrmance to provide track prepped cars for customers that came from far away to run the 'ring.

Yup.... The ring is in trouble guys. Very sad but true.

[positiveions]

We love you Sabine!
We will miss that smile and laughter.

[Bluesummer]

[Diver]

Let's see get driven around a famous racetrack by a race car driver in a fast car or get driven around Manhattan by some surly taxi driver, or get driven around Houston by me when I am in a mood...

[Alpine*]

I was very fortunate to travel to the Ring last year AND ride in a Taxi with Sabine. My wife and I had THE bestest time, even when travelling sideways!

I was planning our trip back there again in April this year, so I rang (from Australia) the Ring Taxi guys and they said they had no schedule for their rides at this stage (late January) for this season. They also noted that Sabine was NOT driving for them any longer, you can however do a ride in her little GT3 http://speedbee.de/10-1-home.html.

I emailed her (she actually replied personally to my email ) to see if it was possible to do a lap in the GT3, unfortunately not when we were planning to be at the Ring.

We have instead booked a RSR right hand drive Renault and will have 6 laps of fun for ourselves.

Sad times indeed, the Taxi was so much fun, the kiss and hug from Sabine post the ride was pretty yum too! We will make a point to go to her guesthouse for a meal, maybe she will be pulling beers when we are there.

[Park2670]

I am very sad that I never got to make it to Germany for a trip with Sabine and the Ring-Taxi.