The fever curve of the endurance racing scene at the Nürburgring is currently rising daily: The ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers on May 24th and 25th will provide the final testing opportunity before the season highlight at the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring at the end of June. In addition, both races of the weekend will be counted as rounds of the NLS (Nürburgring Endurance Series): The best omens for an exciting battle on the more than 25 km long combination of Grand Prix circuit and Nordschleife. 109 teams will face the challenge of the two race days, which offer a full program for the visitors. After three completed NLS races, in each of which a Porsche crossed the finish line first, the GTs from Zuffenhausen are the favorites. However, they will be up against very strong competition in the GT3 class, which is well-staffed with around 20 participants. The battle for the valuable NLS points will also be hot in other classes. If you want to experience the spectacle live on site, you can find tickets from 25 euros (day tickets Saturday or Sunday) and lots more information at www.24h-rennen.de.
This year, the Falken Motorsport and Manthey EMA teams proved that the GT3 Porsches work perfectly on the Nordschleife with their victories in the NLS. When it comes to the qualifiers, the nine-eleven cars are not only the favorites for this reason: Both race wins and pole position for Race 2 also went to the 911s from Falken Motorsports last year. The two turquoise-blue cars will be driven by drivers who have already clocked up NLS kilometers in 2025 as well as newcomers: Julien Andlauer (FRA) / Alessio Picariello (BEL) in the #33 and Dorian Boccolacci (FRA) / Dennis Marschall (AUT) / Nico Menzel (Kelberg) in the #44 will represent the Falken colors. Their first pursuer is certainly the #911 Porsche 911 from Manthey EMA. With the NLS3-winning pairing of Güven / Preining taking up commitments in the DTM during the qualifying weekend, the team is now relying on two top routiners: Kevin Estre (AUT) and Patrick Pilet (FRA) will drive the race car affectionately known as “Grello” by the fans.
“Endurance runner” also takes part in the qualifiers
In addition to Black Falcon, Dinamic GT and Hankook, the 2024 24h winners are also relying on a Porsche 911: Scherer Sport PHX is competing for the first time this year with a 911 with the traditional #16. At the wheel for the qualifiers: Patric Niederhauser (SUI) and Laurens Vanthoor (BEL). In addition, Scherer PHX will send the Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II to the start with the starting number #1. With Christopher Haase, Luca Ludwig and Markus Winkelhock (all GER), a team of true Nordschleife veterans will take over the car, which, however, is one of the older models in the GT3 field in terms of concept. Juta Racing has already proven twice in the NLS season that this is no disadvantage at all, as the Pro-Am squad put their R8 on pole in the first two NLS races of the season. At the wheel: Frank Stippler (GER), who knows the car like no other. He will once again share the #8 with Alexey Veremenko, Elia Erhart and “Selv” (all GER) in the qualifiers. The reliability of the Ingolstadt racing cars is also demonstrated this year by the équipe Vitesse, whose R8 #50 is driven by Michael Heimrich (GER), Lorenzo Rocco di Torrepadula (SUI), Arno Klasen (GER) and Eric Ullström (SWE). The car broke through the 100,000-kilometer barrier in this NLS season and is still by no means “old iron” in terms of performance and racing suitability.
Strong pursuers waiting for their chance
The rest of the entry list also promises plenty of action at the front: GetSpeed already positioned one of the Mercedes-AMG GT3s within striking distance of the eventual race winners in NLS3. The two GT3 #14 and #17 definitely belong on the list of favorites for the 24h Qualifiers. However, there are also strong entries in the Aston Martin AMR GT3 Evo camp, which Walkenhorst Motorsport and PROsport Racing are relying on. Abt (Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2 #27) and Realize Kondo Racing with Rinaldi (Ferrari 296 GT3 #45) will also provide Italian accents. Not to be forgotten: The “class battle” typical of the NLS in the 18 other vehicle categories. A total of 20 Cup Porsches with ten starters each in Cup2 and Cup3 will cause a sensation, while the BMW M240i class also promises to be an exciting event with nine participants. Among the production cars, it is the VT2 that will thrill with 18 cars. Eight front-wheel drive and ten rear-wheel drive cars are registered. The battle for positions and points will therefore be no less exciting here, especially as NLS points are also at stake across all classes. They will be awarded in both races, and the regulations stipulate that the points yield is higher in well-staffed classes than in the weaker categories.
Packed schedule
At the 24h Qualifiers, it is not only the participants in the two main races who provide the best entertainment. After their first qualifying session on Saturday morning (10:00 – 12:00), the RCN will take to the track from 13:00 for a three-and-a-half-hour performance test: this guarantees the best entertainment before the start of Race 1 (17:30), which will then run for four hours into the evening. Sunday also promises a packed program, because after the second 75-minute qualifying session (from 8:15 a.m.), there will be a top qualifying session at 10:30 a.m., in which the places on the front rows of the grid will be at stake. Like the race at dusk on Saturday, the qualifiers offer the perfect simulation opportunity for the season highlight at the 24h in June. Race 2 will then start at 13:00 and will again last four hours. On both days, eKart slaloms in the paddock and automobile slalom competitions in the Merdes-AMG-Arena will also provide great motorsport action at the Nürburgring
All the action in the livestream
Of course, motorsport is a feast for all the senses that is best experienced live. But if you can’t make it to the Ring or want to stay up to date during your visit, you can find the live stream as well as the alternative audio commentary, the timing and a detailed ticker at www.24h-rennen.de/live – a perfect information cockpit for all true fans. The stream will be broadcast at the following times: Saturday: 16:45 to 22:10 and Sunday 10:30 to 17:40.
Streaming schedule for the 2025 24h-Qualifiers:
- Saturday: 4:45 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.