Corser drives Heidfeld's F1 car

Some guys get all the luck -- as if being among the top 20 professional racing drivers in the world isn’t enough of a dream job, German F1 pilot Nick Heidfeld got a chance to hop onto Aussie Troy Corser’s factory world superbike entry and cut a few laps at the hallowed Nurburgring -- and call it work.

The event was BMW’s “Fan Day” -- a chance for the BMW factory teams in various forms of racing to demonstrate their vehicles to employees, sponsors, partners and selected fans in what are very troubled financial times in Europe.

Heidfeld, 32, is a keen bike rider and is known to tune his motorhome’s TV to bike racing while at F1 events. Before venturing out on Troy’s BMW superbike, Nick cut a few laps on the street version of BMW’s 1000cc four, building up to the point where he got both knees down and scuffed his virgin sliders.

Later, it was his turn on Troy’s world superbike entry and although he only did nine laps, he inflicted more scrapes on his sliders. The bearded German later said : “It was a sensational experience. I had expected the superbike to be a huge leap over the production version, a bit like series cars and racers, but I was surprised in the end. The difference is huge.

“On the one hand the Superbike is more aggressive, builds up more grip and has the superior brakes, but on the other hand it is easier to ride because you can control it so well. The handling is very precise. Obviously I’m still miles from the limit with the superbike; I would love to have done a lot more laps.”

Two-time world superbike champion Corser was similarly blown away by  a stint in Nick’s high-speed office.

“It was just awesome! The car feels so balanced and the brakes are fantastic, the tyres have unbelievable grip and the steering is very direct but still has a lot of feeling. I can’t believe how hard and late you can brake. I know I was braking too early and I really would like to have a day or two with the car to really see what I can do with it. I’d like to thank everybody involved in giving me this opportunity – and I hope I can do it again.”

The day wasn’t just a two-pony show -- BMW’s entries in the world touring car series, based on 3-Series 320si sedans, the famous BMW M5 “Ring Taxi”, road-going M3 coupes and a couple of Formula BMW cars -- single-seaters powered by BMW bike engines -- were on hand too, and many fans were driven around the track by team drivers.

Heidfeld and Corser’s respective teammates, Polish Robert Kubica and Spaniard Ruben Xaus, put on displays at racing speed with their regular mounts. Ruben also got a chance to sample the WTC sedan, but ultimately he preferred riding his bike.

“It was a lot of fun but I wish I had more time to play around – unfortunately I’ve got only two laps. The car feels very safe and you can go across the kerbstones, which of course I can’t do on the bike. The big difference between four wheels and two is the braking, because you can brake a lot later on four wheels. I enjoyed my brief experience, but I prefer my bike because on the bike I feel free.”