136 Cars Confirmed for 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring
The official entry list for the 51st edition of the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring has been released, revealing a total of 136 cars ready to tackle the legendary Nordschleife circuit.
The SP9 Pro and Pro-AM classes boast the largest number of entries, with over 30 GT3 vehicles vying for the overall victory. Among the contenders are seven prestigious brands, including Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. Many of these brands have factory teams or factory-supported entries, promising fierce competition at the front of the pack.
However, the excitement extends beyond the top class. Fans can look forward to well-staffed classes, such as the GT4 race car category, featuring 16 vehicles from four different manufacturers. This diverse range of vehicles encompasses everything from the small Dacia Logan to the iconic Opel Manta and the latest generation of high-tech GTs, guaranteeing a thrilling motorsport spectacle.
The provisional entry list is now available online, offering a comprehensive overview of the participating cars. Notably, last year’s winner, Audi Sport Team Scherer PHX, returns with the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, proudly displaying car number #1 on its hood. The triumphant team, formerly known as Phoenix, has joined forces with Scherer to strengthen their title defense campaign. Belgian driver Frederic Vervisch remains in the cockpit, joined by Mattia Drudi (ITA), Ricardo Feller (SUI), and Dennis Lind (DEN).
Audi is well represented by other teams as well, including Car Collection and Land Motorsport. GetSpeed, the second and third-place finishers from last year’s 24h, field the #2 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with drivers Adam Christodoulou (GBR), Maximilian Götz, and Fabian Schiller. The sister car, #3, is piloted by Maro Engel (MON), Jules Gounon (AND), and Daniel Juncadella (ESP). Juncadella showcased his skills in the recent 24h Qualifiers, securing a win and a second-place finish alongside Christodoulou. With a total of nine GT3 cars, Mercedes-AMG leads the pack as the strongest brand in the top class, supported by HRT and Schnitzelalm teams alongside GetSpeed.
In the BMW camp, the factory’s own Junior Team, represented by the BMW M4 GT3 with car number #72, aims to make an impact. Walkenhorst Racing, with starting numbers #100, #101, and #102, as well as Rowe Racing with traditional starting numbers #98 and #99, contribute to BMW’s presence. Notably, Dries Vanthoor (#98) switches from Audi to BMW after being part of last year’s winning team. Kelvin van der Linde, Vanthoor’s former teammate, drives a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 for Abt Sportsline (#27). Konrad Motorsport fields the second Lamborghini in the competition (#7), a team with a wealth of successful experience in the Italian brand.
Exciting developments in the sports car arena add to the anticipation of the race. Alongside the Lamborghini Huracan GT3, a completely new contender takes the motorsport stage this year: the Ferrari 296 GT3. Ferrari enters three cars in this newly developed model, with Frikadelli Racing (#30) leading the charge. In April’s second 24h Qualifiers race, Klaus Abbelen’s team secured the 296’s inaugural race win, showcasing their ambitions to challenge the top contenders. Another new addition is the Porsche 911 GT3 R, now based on the 992 model series. This car from Zuffenhausen has always been a strong candidate for top positions at the 24h, and it demonstrated its prowess during the Qualifiers. Manthey Racing’s #911 Porsche secured second place in the first race, while Falken Motorsports’ #44 Porsche clinched a podium finish in the second race. Overall, there are six representations of the new “911” in the field, all backed by professional teams with extensive experience, setting the stage for intense competition. Aston Martin models, represented by the experienced Dörr team (#69) and the Pro-AM team Prosport-Racing (#28), remain somewhat of an unknown quantity in the GT3 field. These teams, like the others, are prepared to the highest standards for the 24h challenge.
Once again there are several Aussies on the grid, many with a good chance of outright victory. The Antipodean contingent is led by Porsche factory driver Matt Campbell in the Lionspeed Porsche, one of the race favourites. Western Australian Jordan Love, who made his name in Porsches, is now behind the wheel of an AMG Mercedes for Team Bilstein, and Josh Burdon is in a GT4 Toyota Supra for Hong Kong based KCMG,
The battle for overall victory is just one aspect of the 24h Race at the Nürburgring. The event also captivates fans with its diverse class competitions. Among them, the GT4 cars in the SP10 class deserve special attention, featuring 16 participants from Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, and Toyota. Well-known and capable teams handle the entries, ensuring an exciting event. The Cup Porsche classes from the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring are also popular, offering thrilling battles despite not competing for championship points at the 24h. The Cup2 class showcases ten Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) entries, while the Cup3 class features eleven Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport (982) contenders. In total, the grid comprises vehicles from 19 different classes, ranging from production-based racing touring cars to high-performance racing GTs.
The 24h Nürburgring promises a captivating display of motorsport excellence, with a plethora of cars and talented drivers ready to take on the challenging Nordschleife. Whether it’s the battle for the overall victory, the diverse class competitions, or the excitement generated by new sports car developments, fans can expect an unforgettable race that showcases the best of endurance racing.
With Nurburgring Media
