Queen of the Nürburgring Passes at Age 51

The first woman to win the Nürburgring 24 Hours and one of motor racing’s highest-profile female drivers in the world passed away today, at the age of 51-years-old, following a long battle with cancer.

German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, who was also a regular guest on UK TV motoring show “Top Gear”, enjoyed a long career in the motorsports arena where she founded a race team with her husband Klaus Abbelen and also raced for the Porsche motorsport team. Due to her love for the Nürburgring circuit in western Germany, Schmitz also became a ‘Ring Taxi’ driver where it is estimated that she completed more than 30,000 laps of the famed circuit.

Following the passing of this motorsport’s diva, both fans and others within the sport went to social media to share their condolences.

#NLS – Very sad to hear that Sabine Schmitz (1969-2021) has passed away. The “Queen of Nordschleife” was a crowd favourite due to her open, humorous way. The two-time @24hNBR winner was an icon at the wheel of the #Frikadelli #Porsche. Our sympathy goes to her family and friends pic.twitter.com/ZHXbC1R6Wk

— Porsche Motorsport (@PorscheRaces) March 17, 2021

Regarding suggestions to name a corner of the #Nurburgring #Nordschleife after Queen of the Ring #SabineSchmitz. I’d like to propose the fearsome left-hander at Klostertal as the #Schmitzkurve. That corner requires skill, bravery and commitment. Sabine had all these and more. pic.twitter.com/xZyY6olk0P

— Peter Cate (@PeterCateRacer) March 17, 2021

Race in Peace.

Thank you for leading the way for women in motorsport. #sabineschmitz #queenofthering #womeninmotorsport pic.twitter.com/EvJT7mTZhc

— Sophie Middleton (@MotorsportSoph) March 17, 2021

Rest In Peace
The Queen Of Nürburgring #sabineschmitz

Photo Source: Top Gear (BBC) pic.twitter.com/CU6ex3kBQi

— Shift and Gear Official (@ShiftandGear) March 17, 2021

We at RacingJunk.com send our condolences to this driver’s friends, family and her entire racing family during this very difficult time.