24 Hours of Nürburgring

24 Hours of Nürburgring. It is a grueling annual endurance race held on the combined Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit layouts of the legendary Nürburgring in Germany. First contested in 1970, the event has grown into one of the world's premier endurance racing competitions, attracting a massive, diverse field of professional factory teams and privateer entries. The race is famed for its extreme challenge, unpredictable Eifel mountain weather, and immense popularity, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the circuit known as the Green Hell.

History

The inaugural event was held in 1970, organized by the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) as a counterpart to other major endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Early editions were dominated by touring cars, with victories for marques like Ford and BMW. The race was part of the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft in the 1970s and later the VLN endurance championship. A significant evolution occurred in 1999 with the introduction of a two-part qualifying system and the increasing participation of GT3-specification sports cars. Major factory efforts from Porsche, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz intensified competition in the 21st century, with specialized teams like Manthey Racing and Phoenix Racing becoming dominant forces. The race was canceled only in 1971 and 2020, the latter due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Event format and regulations

The race lasts for 24 hours, starting on a Saturday afternoon and concluding on Sunday. The starting grid is determined by a complex qualifying process involving a timed session and a Top-Qualifying shootout for the fastest vehicles. The field is divided into multiple classes based on vehicle type and performance, with the top SP9 class for FIA-homologated GT3 cars being the most prestigious. Other categories include production-based touring cars, SP-X prototypes, and various cup classes. Regulations are set by the Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB) and the VLN organization, with strict Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments applied to ensure competition between different manufacturers. All drivers must hold a valid Nordschleife Permit, certifying their knowledge of the demanding circuit.

Notable winners and records

The most successful driver is Pedro Lamy with five overall victories, achieved with teams including Manthey Racing. The most successful team is Manthey Racing, often in partnership with Porsche, with seven wins. BMW holds the record for most manufacturer victories. Notable multiple winners include Marc Duez, Hans-Joachim Stuck, and Manuel Reuter. The record for most laps completed was set in 2023 by the winning Ferrari crew from Frikadelli Racing Team. Legendary cars to have won include the BMW M3, Porsche 911 GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and the Audi R8 LMS. The race has also seen victories for iconic drivers like Jacky Ickx, Tom Kristensen, and Walter Röhrl.

The circuit

The race is run on the 25.378 km (15.771 mi) combined circuit, known as the Gesamtstrecke, which links the historic 20.8 km Nordschleife with the modern 5.1 km Grand Prix circuit. The Nordschleife, with its over 170 corners, drastic elevation changes, and limited run-off areas, presents the ultimate challenge, with famous sections like Flugplatz, Adenauer Forst, Karussell, and Pflanzgarten. The Grand Prix circuit provides the modern pit lane and main grandstand facilities. The entire venue is located in the Eifel mountains, where rapidly changing weather conditions, from bright sunshine to dense fog and heavy rain, are a constant and decisive factor in the race outcome.

Cultural impact and media coverage

The event is a central part of German motorsport culture, attracting over 200,000 fans who camp around the circuit, creating a festival-like atmosphere. It is extensively covered by television broadcasters like RTL and Sport1, with live streams and international distribution. The race features prominently in motorsport media globally and is a key event in sim racing, being meticulously recreated in titles like the Gran Turismo and iRacing platforms. It serves as a critical proving ground for automotive manufacturers, with victories providing significant marketing value and technical validation for road car technologies. The race's unique character and extreme demands have cemented its legendary status within the endurance racing community. Category:24 Hours of Nürburgring Category:Endurance races Category:Motorsport in Germany Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1970