Full lap of the Nurburgring

Watch a full lap of the legendary Nurburgring on-board a tuned Lexus IS F.

Watch as Auto Express’s Owen Mildenhall takes part in arguably the world’s toughest motor race – the Nurburgring 24-hours – in a production-based Lexus run by the firm’s European chassis development team.

See the start of the Nurburgring 24-hour race 2010

The Nurburgring Nordschliefe is the ultimate test of a car’s durability and performance. So lapping this torturous place non-stop for 24 hours isn’t a task to be taken lightly!

See a lap of the Nurburgring at night

Now in its 38th year, the annual ’24 Hour Rennen Nurburgring’ uses a combined layout of the Grand Prix and Nordschleife circuits, meaning each lap is 15.77 miles long, while a massive field of 200 cars takes the start.

Owen joined the driving line-up in a Lexus IS F entered in the SP8 production class. Retaining a totally standard engine and gearbox, the Lexus featured a host of developments.

Externally, the standard bumpers, bonnet, doors, boot lid and wing panels were replaced with carbon fibre versions, while the windscreen and side windows are made from polycarbonate. As a result, despite the heavy safety roll cage, there’s an impressive weight saving of 300kg over the standard car.

Suspension upgrades include a wider track, adjustable dampers, more aggressive camber angles and stiffer anti-roll bar settings.

A bespoke limited slip differential and additional cooling enhance the standard seven-speed automatic transmission, although with only six ratios allowed in the regulations our IS F does without first gear.

Upgraded Brembo brakes and racing brake pads improve the stopping power, while aerodynamic updates like front bumper winglets; a flat underfloor, front splitter and a huge adjustable rear wing generate downforce.

Finally, the standard IS F’s traction control parameters are adjusted to suit its increased grip and traction.