The ADAC 24hr race at the Nurburgring. The Green Hell. Acknowledged as the world’s longest and most challenging race track. It truly is an addictive experience. Like no other endurance race, over 200 cars take to the start grid with everything from works BMWs and Porsches VW Golfs and Opel Astras.
For those choosing to camp, you can chose the relative calm of the official Camping-am-Nurburgring site, or be braver and go and experience the real ‘spirit’ of the event by pitching your tent in one of the forests that surround the circuit. Our advice, is for first timers go with the official site, get to learn the circuit and experience the event, and then use that knowledge to make your own decision for the future events that you will inevitably attend. For those not brave enough to camp, there is always the calm of a room in a hotel or guest house.
In the build-up to the race, the question being asked by those in the know, was, could the Porsche GT3 R of the Manthey team really win for a unprecedented fifth consecutive time, or would it be the turn of the Audis of Team Abt Sportsline’s and Team Phoenix, or BMW Motorsport’s new M3 E92s. There was also interest about the Hankook Ferrari and the Black Falcon Audi R8 – it appeared that the main battle would be fought amongst these teams and cars.
For the first time this year there was the entry of a Hybrid Porsche GT3 R, supported by the Manthey team and a Porsche GT3 RS, supported by Porsche AG. The latter had been driven from the factory in Stuttgart and stuck on the start grid! One of the drivers in this car was the EVO journalist Chris Harris.
Following qualification, the two front rows of the grid were occupied by the Audi R8 LMS cars, with the Manthey Porsche GT3 R back in 7th.
Saturday arrives and following cold and indifferent weather all week, we woke to another overcast and cloudy day. However, the arrival of the rest of the Travel Destinations team at ‘The Ring’ at midday brought the arrival of the sunshine and so it stayed for the whole weekend.
Following the amazing grid-walk prior to the race, where you get to see and touch the cars, the grid is cleared and the cars start the formation lap at around 14.40 and another amazing experience ensues. As is tradition here at ‘The Ring’ the spectators are allowed over the Armco as the drivers wind their way around the Nordschleife and back up through the Dottinger Hohe, before rejoining the GP circuit and crossing the start line. And so commences 24hrs of motor racing mayhem!
As the cars exited the first corner, amazingly the Manthey Porsche managed to take the lead from the Audis. 7th to 1st, literally in a blink of the eye! Within an hour of the start, the top three places were all occupied by Porsche GT3 Rs.
However, needless to say things changed and before long the Abt Audi was back in third and showing good speed.
At around 22.30, just as the Manthey Porsche was stretching its lead and beginning to show all the attributes required of a winner it was unfortunately involved in an accident in the Pflanzgarten, where it was hit ‘broadside’ by an out of control MKIII Golf! Where else would these cars be sharing the same circuit in the middle of the night!
This incident clearly opened the door for the other competitors, with the Audis, Porsches and BMWs all eagerly competing. At just before 23.00, the Hybrid Porsche took the lead for the first time. Clearly the advantage of being able to run 10 rather than 8 laps of this incredible circuit between pit stops was beginning to pay dividends.
Night proved to be eventful throughout the field of racers, with the most astonishing being at 20.55 when the Lotus Exige driven by British driver Roger Green, caught fire and he finally threw himself out of the flaming Lotus after a few minutes of trying to slow it down! The vehicle and their dream ended in a wreck!
All through the night the Hybrid Porsche led the field, consistently increasing its lead, to the point where with less than two hours to go it was a clear two laps ahead of the second place BMW. Then disaster struck. The Hybrid Porsche’s engine blew up and left the car stranded in the Breidscheid area. BMW now led the race.
And so it would remain. BMW managed to hold on to the lead, finishing ahead of the Hankook Ferrari and the Phoenix Audi. Fourth was the Need for Speed Team BMW Z4 and fifth went to the Black Falcon Audi R8 LMS.
The Porsche that was driven from the factory ended a very respectable 13th, showing the world that factory Porsche’s really are world class racing cars.
So what about the event as a spectator; some of the amazing sights that we saw and reasons to attend are listed below:
1. Hand built towers and scaffold structures out in the forest that defy gravity, engineering rules and truly beggar belief! But after all we are in Germany, and we all know what great engineers they are…
2. An illuminated McDonalds Golden Arches sign track side (clearly ‘borrowed’) erected next to a hangmans noose!
3. The people – they are predominantly local Germans, who are very friendly that go to live in the forest for a week, living on a diet of bratwurst and beer. But don’t be put off by this. These guys are here for the racing and the spectacle that only is the Nurburgring. They watch every race and every car, never leaving their post of choice – real petrol-heads.
4. Fires larger than the local Guy Fawkes night.
5. 1950s fire trucks parked on levelling blocks on 45 degree muddy slopes.
6. A competing Porsche arriving back in the pits with it’s passenger door missing and then watching the team affix a new door with gaffer tape!
7. Being closer to the action trackside than at any other motor racing event – you can almost touch the cars as they go past.
8. This event truly is for racing enthusiast. The Germans love their cars and it is never more apparent than here at ‘The Ring’. Believe the hype, this place and this event is amazing and really is an experience like no other!
9. 200 cars on the start grid and more teams than you can imagine in the paddock, all of which you can access and walk around.
10. The sheer mix and range of cars – everything from privately run Astras to Volvos and the works teams from Audi, BMW, Porsche and the Lexus LFA. All competing at the same time on the same circuit – ludicrous!
11. The Nurburgring has so much more to offer than driving your car around it during the tourist sessions.
Apart from the 24hr race, which is clearly the main event of the weekend, other races include the 24hr Classic car event, the Mini Challenge and the SEAT Leon Supercopa, the Renault Race festival and the Drift Challenge – so there is plenty to keep you occupied from Thursday morning until Sunday night!
Dates for next year have been confirmed as 23rd-26th June 2011. If you would like to see all the action live at the Nurburgring 24 Hours 2011 register with us now by calling (0844) 873 0203.
Alternatively email us at info@traveldestinations.co.uk.
The reservation line is open now!
