How did a famous racetrack, a cancer connection, and an epic female race driver land me in solo van travel around Europe? Let me take you to Germany and share one of my dreams come true: visiting the legendary Nürburgring.

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From Motorsport Dreams to Solo Van Travel

I’ve loved motorsport for as long as I can remember. The Nürburgring, a racetrack named after a 12th-century castle and built in 1925 to help post-WWI Germany get back on its feet, had always fascinated me.

I first discovered it on Top Gear, watching Sabine Schmitz drive a Ford Transit van around the track. Not only did we share a love of motorsport, but we also had something deeper in common: cancer. Diagnosed in late 2017, both Sabine and I went through intense treatments, and that experience gave birth to Helen Wheels—my Facebook page and later YouTube channel documenting my adventures.

Sadly, Sabine passed away, but her legacy reminded me: life’s too short not to chase the things you love. That’s what led me to buy my first van—and eventually to solo European van travel.

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Watch the Video

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First Van Trip: Go-Kart Racing & Germany

With my new van, I joined a go-kart racing team and headed to Germany for my first trip. Crossing borders and navigating foreign languages added to the thrill. But nothing compared to seeing the Nürburgring sign for the first time.

I didn’t expect to book a hot lap in a Mercedes AMG, but just driving near the track and soaking in the atmosphere was a dream come true.

Highlights of my first van adventures included:

• Visiting MonDay Munday Music Festival
• Exploring the Great Ocean Road
• Learning from travel YouTubers like Travel Beans on how to prepare for European van life

I even named my van Kenny, inspired by another van-lifer couple I follow.

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The Nürburgring Experience

The Nürburgring isn’t just a racetrack—it’s a rite of passage for motorsport enthusiasts. While I didn’t drive a professional car at first, I explored the track, watched other drivers, and absorbed every detail.

The excitement built up to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a hot lap in a Porsche with a professional driver. Here’s what made it unforgettable:

• Experiencing adrenaline-fueled turns at over 240 km/h
• Seeing cars and bikes separately, all enthusiasts sharing the track
• Learning professional driving techniques from seasoned drivers
• Feeling completely immersed in motorsport culture, from smells of brake pads to engines pushed to their max

The professional driver ran a full commentary the entire lap—every corner, every nuance—and it was pure joy. Fun, safe, and exhilarating. Worth every penny.

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Lessons from Chasing Your Dreams

This trip wasn’t just about speed—it was about embracing life after cancer, trying new experiences, and trusting your gut:

• Do the things you love: If you wait, you might miss out forever.
• Start small: My van trips started with weekends and music festivals before expanding into full European adventures.
• Learn from others: Watching and connecting with fellow van-lifers gave me insight into planning and gear.
• Professional help is worth it: Hiring a driver for the Nürburgring was the safest way to experience the track at speed.

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What’s Next?

This was just the beginning of my German adventure. In the next video, I’ll take you through the rest of my trips in Germany, showing all the fun, food, and unexpected experiences that come with solo van travel.

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Suggested Tags & Categories

Categories:

• Europe Van Travel
• Motorsport Adventures
• Solo Travel

Tags:
Nürburgring, Van Life Europe, Motorsports, Sabine Schmitz, Travel Inspiration, Go-Kart Racing, Solo Female Travel