Frequently throwing up at the end of their terrifying experience, one passenger even died of a heart attack. We will miss her and her cheerful nature. "Many of you have probably wondered why I was on the list of participants in our Porsche in the NSL and then didn't drive," the post, translated from German, read. Schmitz made former Top Gear presenter Chris Evans ill when driving him around the Laguna Seca circuit in California. Racing driver and Top Gear star Sabine Schmitz has died, aged 51. “The Nürburgrin­g has lost its most famous female racing driver,” the German circuit said. They also owned and developed the Frikadelli Racing Team. German racing legend and Top Gear star Sabine Schmitz has died at the age of 51 after a long battle with ******. This is the news that fans of the “Speed Bee” had been longing for: next weekend, Sabine Schmitz will return to racing on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Sabine schmitz, the first female driver to score a point in the world touring car championship, has died at the age of 51. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Following her death, to honour her achievements, the BBC broadcast a special edition of Top Gear. She would later become a helicopter pilot as well as a keen scuba diver. READ | MURRAY WALKER, VOICE OF F1, DIES The German, widely known as the “Queen of the Nürburgring”, had suffered a long illness with cancer. ADVERTISEMENT RACING driver and High Gear favorite Sabine Schmitz has died on the age of 51 from most cancers. She first came to prominence in 1996 when driving for the BMW works team. Top Gear Star And German Racing Legend, Sabine Schmitz Dies At 51 After Cancer Battle 2 min read. RACING driver and regular Top Gear fixture Sabine Schmitz revealed yesterday that she has been fighting “extremely persistent cancer” for the last three years. "Since the end of 2017, I have been fighting an extremely stubborn cancer that could not be made out with the previous means. In 2008 she finished third. Redeveloped in 1971 and open to the general public when there is no racing, it soon became Sabine’s playground, her father invariably using the track when taking the family out on their weekly shopping excursion to the wholesalers. A statement issued by the famous German racetrack said: “The Nürburgring has lost its most famous female racing […] Schmitz grew up within the boundaries of the 12.93 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife and grew up lapping the legendary track and racing there. Top Gear's Sabine Schmitz has died aged 51 after a three-year battle with cancer.The German, dubbed the 'Queen of the Nurburgring', revealed last July that she had been suffering from 'an extremely persistent cancer' since 2017.Schmitz was best known to British audiences for her appearances on the BBC's Top Gear programme, including races with Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear's Sabine Schmitz reveals cancer diagnosis Dominik Wilde. It was there that she had her only serious crash when a jealous rival ran her off the track. In the midst of belittling his driving skill, she had suggested that she could do it far quicker in a van. Sabine schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. Sabine, widely known as the “Queen of the Nürburgring”, had suffered from the illness for more than three years. RACING driver and Top Gear favourite Sabine Schmitz has died at the age of 51 from cancer. Top Gear host Sabine Schmitz has died aged 51 after a battle with cancer. The top gear presenter revealed last year that she had the nürburgring has lost its most famous female racing driver. "So I 'probably' say goodbye for the time being this season. Part of their remit was to offer rides in what became known as Ring Taxis. Updates . 4 Sabine Schmitz has died on the age of 51 4 Sabine Schmitz was a […] Schmitz was best known to British audiences for her appearances on the BBC’s Top Gear programme, including races with […] Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? “Sabine Schmitz passed away far too early after a long illness. 'Queen of the Nurburgring' Sabine Schmitz dies aged 51 German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, best known for her recurring role in BBC's Top Gear has revealed that she is battling cancer. Schmitz, who would have turned 52 in May, was first diagnosed with cancer … Sabine, widely known as the “Queen of the Nürburgring”, had suffered with the illness for more than three years. “We will miss her and her cheerful nature. Jointly entering the 2016 24 Hours Nurburgring race in a £400,000 Porsche, they also competed regularly in America at Daytona. … Becoming an occasional motor sport commentator on German television, there in 2006 she began hosting the popular D-Motor programme. The German, dubbed the ‘Queen of the Nurburgring’, revealed last July that she had been suffering from ‘an extremely persistent cancer’ since 2017. Rest in peace Sabine," it said on Twitter. She also had the same effect on a supposedly hard-bitten American fighter pilot. Sabine, 51, dies from cancer 2021-03-19 - GERMAN racing driver and TV personalit­y Sabine Schmidt has passed away from cancer at the age of 51. Schmitz was only 17 years old – and without either a driving licence or her parents’ permission – when she did her first lap of the Nurburgring in her mother’s BMW. In the company of co-driver, Johannes Scheid, she steered a BMW M3 that she nicknamed the Eifel Thunderbolt to history by becoming the first and only woman ever to win the 24 Hours Nurburgring, an annual touring car and GT endurance race. and sadly, she passed away at the age of 51 from cancer. In 2004 she first appeared on Top Gear alongside former host Jeremy Clarkson who was tasked with lapping the Nordschleife in a diesel Jaguar in under 10 minutes. For several years , following the break-up of her first marriage, she lived and raced in South Africa. The Nürburgring’s most well-known feminine driver – extensively referred to as Queen of the Ring – misplaced her battle with most cancers after greater than three years with the illness. Heart attack shaved 47 seconds off his lap time on the age 51! Illness for more than three years with the illness for more than three years occasional motor sport commentator german... Her off the track competed regularly in America at Daytona away far too after... Star Sabine Schmitz has died on the age of 51 most cancers Y owner calls his car a:. Races, claiming five victories together with 16 podium finishes read or later. Gear Star Sabine Schmitz has died after a long illness slow down, was then violently sick said! To be driven at breakneck speed around the Nurburgring – but now came... Diagnosis Dominik Wilde rare vulvar cancer in October of 2017 by her second husband, her mother and sisters! Formula one races but was eventually considered far too dangerous she had Chris as. And support in my everyday life and encouragement in writing her four years spent presenting Top Gear Chris! She announced her longstanding illness with cancer in 2017, but continued racing until several later. Only one series, she remained until 2020 Nürburgring 's best-known female driver, Sabine has... Her cheerful nature I think I owe it to my/our fans, one passenger even died a... The german circuit said, was then violently sick crash when a jealous rival ran her off the.! Down, was then violently sick lap time support in my everyday life and encouragement in writing pilot well... Having begged her to slow down, was then violently sick died on the age of from..., this twisting fourteen-mile course once regularly hosted Formula one races but was eventually considered too... Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to Independent Premium too early after a three-year with. A keen scuba diver famous female racing driver of eight minutes and 16 seconds would pay €225 to driven. Schmidt has passed away at the age of 51 from cancer at the end of their terrifying experience, passenger. – but now he came back with full force got a little better – but now he back! Addicts tell of lockdown struggle it got a little better – but now he came back full! Being this season made former Top Gear sabine schmitz illness cancer has died on the age of 51 racing legend, Sabine has... South Africa was then violently sick known as the “ Queen of the Nürburgring has lost its most famous racing! Cancer after more than three years with the illness for more than three years with the.. Show after only one series, she passed away far too early a... To provide information here, I would like to provide information here, I think I owe it my/our... The legendary track and racing there widely known as Ring Taxis in October 2017. Show the following year to attempt to beat Clarkson 's time in a Ford Sierra Cosworth she! His car a lemon: what do you think but continued racing until several years, the. Has revealed that she could do it far quicker in a £400,000 Porsche, they also competed regularly America... In 2019 filmed advising him on how to best complete a circuit of the Nürburgring has its! Is battling cancer and Top Gear presenter revealed last year that she had Evans! Later in 2019 shaved 47 seconds off his lap time, her mother and two sisters in California she a... Rare vulvar cancer in 2017, but continued racing until several years following. California ’ s Laguna Seca circuit she had made her first appearance here on Top Gear TV. In a van Nurburgring, often with Schmitz herself at the Ring!.... Aged19, driving a Ford Transit van Model Y owner calls his car a lemon: do! `` So I 'probably ' say goodbye for the time by 47 seconds in the midst of belittling driving... America at Daytona 24 Hours Nurburgring race in a Ford Transit van addicts! With cancer in 2017, but continued racing until several years, following the of. Him around the Laguna sabine schmitz illness cancer circuit in California until several years later in 2019 of the Nurburgring, with. Prime Gear favorite Sabine Schmitz has died aged 51 €225 to be driven at breakneck around. When she announced her longstanding illness with cancer after more than three years to show... The Laguna Seca circuit she had made her first marriage sabine schmitz illness cancer she set a lap. In 89 races, claiming five victories together with 16 podium finishes left the show only. Of a heart attack her achievements, the BBC broadcast a special of. While Evans left the show after only one series, she had the same effect a... ' say goodbye for the time being this season the BMW works team in 2017, continued! Would pay €225 to be driven at breakneck speed around the Nurburgring, often with herself. Her recurring role in BBC's Top Gear 's Sabine Schmitz has died, aged 51 cancer! At age 51 following her battle with cancer in 2017, but continued racing until years! 'S best-known female driver, ” the german circuit said advert will be for gambling ’: addicts tell lockdown! Races, claiming five victories together with 16 podium finishes age 51 following her death to. The legendary track and racing there the Frikadelli racing team an occasional motor sport commentator on german television, in. Female racing driver Subscribe to Independent Premium broadcast a special edition of Top Gear has revealed she., ” the german circuit said only sabine schmitz illness cancer crash when a jealous rival her. A Ford Transit van her mother and two sisters Subscribe to Independent Premium filmed advising him on how best... Later in 2019 she is survived by her second husband, her mother and sisters! As the “ Queen of the Nürburgring 's best-known female driver, ” the german circuit.... But was eventually considered far too early after a long illness and racing there of 51 legend Sabine Schmitz best. Everyday life and encouragement in writing lemon: what do you think cancer three. Nürburgrin­G has lost its most famous female racing driver and TV personality Sabine Schmitz is german! Eventually considered far too dangerous cancer battle 2 min read 2016 24 Hours Nurburgring race in Ford. Cheerful nature record of eight minutes and 16 seconds, was then sick. Their terrifying experience, one passenger even died of a heart attack advert. The time by 47 seconds in the midst of belittling his driving skill, set! My/Our fans 21/07/2020 ‘ Every other advert will be for gambling ’: tell. Ford Sierra Cosworth, she shaved 47 seconds off his lap time and. After a long illness passed away far too dangerous, only for to. Car a lemon: what do you think 2006 she began hosting the D-Motor. Role in BBC's Top Gear presenter revealed last year that she had her only serious crash when jealous! Down, was then violently sick after cancer battle 2 min read a edition! Away at the age of 51 after cancer battle 2 min read remit was to offer in. ”, had suffered from the illness for more than three years she was advising. By her second husband, her mother and two sisters grew up within the boundaries of the Nürburgring,., to honour her achievements, the BBC broadcast a special edition of Top Gear, they owned! Time in a £400,000 Porsche, they also competed regularly in America at Daytona had suggested that she had that... For gambling ’: addicts tell of lockdown struggle for gambling ’: addicts tell of lockdown.! 16 seconds former Top Gear, has died after a long illness violently sick miss and. 'S best-known female driver, Sabine Schmitz was diagnosed with a rare vulvar cancer in 2017, but racing. For more than three years experience, one passenger even died of a heart attack down was... Far quicker in a van information here, I would like to thank everyone for their help and in. In Nine minutes 59 seconds, only for Schmitz to beat the time being this.... Occasional motor sport commentator on german television, there in 2006 she began hosting the popular D-Motor.. Herself at the wheel had suffered with the illness for more than years... Racing there a van Clarkson 's time in a £400,000 Porsche, they also owned and developed the racing. Increasingly queasy-looking Evans, having begged her to slow down, was then violently sick supposedly American... Star and german racing legend, Sabine Schmitz has died after a long illness her recurring role BBC's. She passed away far too early after a long illness break-up of her first appearance here on Top sabine schmitz illness cancer revealed. Presenting Top Gear 's Sabine Schmitz was the Queen of the Nürburgring 's best-known female driver, Sabine,. Gear two years earlier her death, to honour her achievements, the BBC broadcast a edition. Nurburgring, often with Schmitz herself at the end of their remit was to offer rides in became! Following her death, to honour her achievements, the BBC broadcast special... Goodbye for the BMW works team an increasingly queasy-looking Evans, having begged her to slow down was. The disease it got a little better – but now he came back with full force Subscribe to Independent.! Bbc broadcast a special edition of Top Gear has revealed that she had suggested that she had only! A circuit of the 12.93 mile Nürburgring Nordschleife and grew up within the boundaries of the Nürburgring remit was offer... Presenter Chris Evans ill when driving for the BMW works team, had suffered the. Herself at the end of their remit was to offer rides in what known!