Bilster Berg

{{Short description|Motor racing circuit in Pömbsen, Germany}} {{Infobox motorsport venue | name = Bilster Berg | location = Bad Driburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | coordinates = {{coord|51|47|32|N|9|4|0.8|E|region:DE_type:landmark|display=it}} | logo = Bilster Berg logo.jpg | image = class=skin-invert|250px | image_caption = Full Circuit (2013–present) | broke_ground = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2011|09|27}} | opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2013|04|11}} | closed = | fia_grade = | construction_cost= {{Euro|34}} million | architect = Hermann Tilke | former_names = | events = | capacity = | layout = Full Circuit (2013–present) | surface = Asphalt | miles_first = False | length_km = 4.274 | length_mi = 2.656 | turns = 19 | banking = | record_time = | record_driver = | record_car = | record_year = | record_class = | layout2 = Ostschleife (2013–present) | length2_km = 2.400 | length2_mi = 1.491 | turns2 = 10 | record_time2 = | record_driver2 = | record_car2 = | record_year2 = | record_class2 = | layout3 = Westschleife (2013–present) | length3_km = 1.845 | length3_mi = 1.146 | turns3 = 12 | record_time3 = | record_driver3 = | record_car3 = | record_year3 = | record_class3 = | website = {{URL|bilster-berg.de}} }}

The '''Bilster Berg Drive Resort''' is a private motorsports club for automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers with a {{cvt|4.274|km|mi|abbr=on}} long motor racing circuit in {{ill|Pömbsen|de}}, a district of the village of Bad Driburg in the Teutoburg Forest. The track is built on land formerly used by the British Army as an ammunition depot; it was designed by Hermann Tilke, with input from Walter Röhrl.

==History== The site was used since the 1970s as an ammunition depot for the British Army of the Rhine.<ref name=NewAtlas>{{cite news |url=https://newatlas.com/bilster-berg-drive-resort/19932/ |title=British ammo dump to become the Bilster Berg luxury drive resort |work=New Atlas |date=9 October 2011 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> When Great Britain withdrew its forces in 1993 following German reunification, the {{cvt|85|ha|adj=on}} site reverted to its previous owner, Count Marcus {{ill|von Oeynhausen|de|Oeynhausen (Adelsgeschlecht)}}-Sierstorpff.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/mittelstand/familienunternehmer/marcus-von-oeynhausen-sierstorpff-ein-graf-kaempft-um-seinen-traum-von-der-eigenen-rennstrecke/25576606.html |title=Ein Graf kämpft um seinen Traum von der eigenen Rennstrecke |trans-title=A count fights for his dream of his own racetrack |author=Votsmeier, Volker |date=February 24, 2020 |work=Handelsblatt |language=de |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> The Count, a motorsports enthusiast, thought the site would be suitable for a motorsports track; his earlier attempt to build a track there was stymied by the 2008 financial crisis. It was the first track built in West Germany in 80 years, and was designed by Hermann Tilke, who waxed enthusiastically about building a track with a constant gradient.<ref name=Heise10>{{cite news |url=https://www.heise.de/autos/artikel/Neue-Rennstrecke-im-Teutoburger-Wald-geplant-1029935.html |title=Neue Rennstrecke im Teutoburger Wald geplant |trans-title=New racetrack planned in the Teutoburg Forest |language=de |author=Franz, Martin |work=Heise Online |date=28 June 2010 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>

==Design== Because of its seclusion and relative anonymity, it was envisioned that it could be used for sensitive driving exercises, including manufacturer testing and advanced driving instruction for bodyguards or special forces.<ref name=Heise10/>

The track features {{cvt|200|m|ft|abbr=on}} of elevation change over its {{cvt|4.274|km|mi|abbr=on}} length, with maximum gradients of +21/-26% through 44 crests and dips and 19 turns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://50to70.com/2021/01/17/review-porsche-panamera-turbo-s-bilster-berg/ |title=We pound a Panamera Turbo S around the Bilster Berg |author=Robinson, Matt |work=50 to 70 |date=17 January 2021 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>

In 2019, the driving simulator software ''RaceRoom'' added Bilster Berg to its tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onlineracedriver.com/2019/10/08/raceroom-to-add-bilster-berg-circuit/ |title=RaceRoom To Add Bilster Berg Circuit |author=Thornton, Dan |work=Online Race Driver |date=8 October 2019 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref>

==Lap times== Bilster Berg does not record official lap times; in 2014, the Donkervoort D8 GTO set a lap record for regular production vehicles at 1:46.120,<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.donkervoort.com/en/donkervoort-d8-gto-breaks-lap-record-bilster-berg-drive-resort/ |title=Donkervoort D8 GTO breaks lap record Bilster Berg Drive Resort |publisher=Donkervoort |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> which the firm celebrated by releasing a limited Bilster Berg Edition.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.donkervoort.com/en/donkervoort-introduces-d8-gto-bilster-berg-edition-as-limited-series-2/ |title=Donkervoort introduces D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition as limited series |publisher=Donkervoort |date=5 January 2015 |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> Lars Kern set a new record of 1:43.100 in a Porsche 911 (991.2) GT3 RS in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/a33546635/porsche-911-gt3-rs-manthey-racing-wheels/ |title=These Porsche GT3 RS Wheel Covers are Rad and Functional |author=Perkins, Chris |work=Road & Track |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>

The Volkswagen ID.R electric time attack car set the unofficial overall track record in 2020 with a lap time of 1:24.206.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/36733/just-go-destroy-every-ev-lap-record-in-germany-volkswagen |title=Just Go Destroy Every EV Lap Record In Germany, Volkswagen |author=Schrader, Stef |work=The Drive |date=24 September 2020 |access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> <!--===Production vehicles===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! style="width:6%;"|Time ! style="width:9%;"|Model Year ! style="width:19%;"|Vehicle ! style="width:13%;"|Driver ! style="width:9%;"|Date ! style="width:14%;"|Validation ! style="width:38%;"|Notes |- | 2:26.12 | 2011 | Dodge Viper ACR-X | Kuno Wittmer | 6 May 2011 | Video - TangentVector | |- | 2:41.23 | 2010 | Cadillac CTS-V | Jason Holehouse | 6 May 2011 | Video - TangentVector | |- | 2:34.86 | 2010 | Lotus 2-eleven | Ari Straus | 6 May 2011 | Video - TangentVector | |- | 2:33.20 | 2002 | Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | 2MCHPWR | 27 Aug 2012 | Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq9cZ9p9aAo | |}-->

==See also== * Circuito Ascari, a similar race resort in Spain * Monticello Motor Club, a race resort in New York (state)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{YouTube |id=-tzEIGiLcf0 |title=Video: Nuevo record para el Volkswagen ID.R en Bilster Berg}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.snaplap.net/bilster-berg-drive-resort/ |title=Bilster Berg Drive Resort |website=Snap{{!}}Lap|date=8 February 2017 }} * {{cite web |url=https://lapmeta.com/en/track/variation/89 |title=Bilster Berg |website=LapMeta}} * {{cite web |url=https://www.lotus-on-track.com/circuit-guides/bilster-berg/ |title=Circuit Guide: Bilster Berg |website=Lotus On Track}}

Category:Motorsport venues in North Rhine-Westphalia Category:2013 establishments in Germany Category:Sports venues completed in 2013 Category:Buildings and structures in Höxter (district)