Ask any car enthusiast about the Nürburgring and you’ll probably see the little boy or girl in them make a brief appearance. It’s hard to hold back the excitement and reverence that the indoctrinated have for this track.

The Ring is one of the pinnacles of modern automotive racing. Built in the 1920s, it has seen nearly 90 years of competitive action. Lucky for you, you don’t have to be a professional to experience it. Anyone with a valid drivers license, a few euros, and some courage is welcome on the track during most weekday early evenings and weekends.

And so today I got to experience a piece of automotive history by driving my new 335d on the Nordschleife.

For three laps I experienced all that is holy in the automotive world. The roar of the engine, the whoosh of the air whipping by at 135mph, the rocking and pitching of the car in tight turns, and the thrill of coming out of your seat one moment and being thrust back in to it the next. Quite simply, it’s the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.

Alas, pictures and video while on the track are prohibited. But rest assured I’ll be reliving those moments in my head for a lifetime.