Looking forward to Nordschleife - Heidfeld

This Saturday, a dream will come true for Nick Heidfeld: the BMW Sauber F1 Team driver is to complete several laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife at the wheel of a modern Formula One car, the first racing driver to do so for 31 years. Nick has fond memories of the Eifel circuit.

For Nick, the Nürburgring, including its Nordschleife, isn't just any ordinary race track. This historic circuit represents a vital part of his life: at the age of three, he learned to rise his bicycle at the foot of the Nürburg, in winter he went tobogganing there and at the age of eight it was the venue of his inaugural karting experience.

"These are truly fond memories," says Heidfeld. "Later, I raced there in Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Formula One and celebrated several wins. In 2005, I secured my first Formula One pole position at the Ring, finishing second in the race itself. At the same time, it's the venue that attracts more of my fans than any other. The support I get here is just fantastic."

Nonetheless, Nick's eventful Nürburgring career still features an unfulfilled ambition: to date, the 29-year-old hasn't had the opportunity to lap the Nordschleife at the wheel of a thoroughbred racing car. But now, as part of the "Experience BMW Motorsport" event, Nick will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of driving the BMW Sauber F1.07 in the "Green Hell".

"Several times I have gone out on the Nordschleife with a road car," says Nick. "I've also raced there on the computer. But I've never contested a race in the 'Green Hell'."