> BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche fighting for more IGTC points at Round 2
> IGTC Entry List: ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring
Intercontinental GT Challenge ventures into the unknown this weekend when SRO’s globe-trotting GT3 series makes its debut at the revered, feared and iconic ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.
Registered IGTC manufacturers BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche account for 15 of the 25 SP9 entries that will fight for overall victory at the Nordschleife this Saturday and Sunday. However, and uniquely for an Intercontinental round, the senior category comprises just a fraction of the 130-strong multi-class field that will tackle the 20.8-kilometre-long ‘Green Hell’.
The event also features several tyre manufacturers and regulations that in places differ considerably to IGTC’s three other endurance races held at Bathurst, Indianapolis and Spa. The latter takes place one month after the Nürburgring, which becomes only the second 24-hour race to ever feature on IGTC’s calendar.
German manufacturers have, perhaps unsurprisingly, dominated the event during its GT3 era. Indeed, last year Ferrari became the first brand from another country to taste outright victory since 2003. The 19 intervening editions were won by Audi, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and the event’s most successful marque, BMW.
Just like every other round, all BMWs, Mercedes-AMGs and Porsches are eligible to score IGTC points on behalf of their manufacturer. However, while drivers’ championship points are based on Intercontinental’s top-10 finishers, only the first two cars per brand count towards the manufacturers’ standings.
There is also one IGTC Independent Cup entry this weekend in the shape of Antares Au. Lile Spa, points are not awarded at any interval, so the Hong Kong driver’s Lionspeed GP Porsche must finish if it is to claw back ground on those that raced at Bathurst. The class’ drop score system permits amateur drivers to skip an IGTC round, hence the likes of current leader Prince Jefri Ibrahim not returning until Round 3.
The race is not available on SRO’s GT World YouTube channel this weekend. Instead, fans can watch all 24 hours and every session live via www.youtube.com/24hnbr (geo restrictions may apply).
PORSCHE | 6x 911 GT3 R
Porsche tops IGTC’s early manufacturers’ and drivers’ standings, and has put together a world-class line up on home turf where six 911 GT3 Rs compete. Among them is Manthey EMA’s example, which features two thirds of its winning Bathurst line up: Laurens Vanthoor and Ayhancan Güven (as well as Kevin Estre and DTM champion Thomas Preining). Their co-driver down under, Matt Campbell, is with Herberth Motorsport.
Seven wins also makes Manthey this event’s most successful team, but its ‘Grello’ machine – which last triumphed in 2021 – faces stiff opposition from within Stuttgart’s ranks thanks to four more Pro crews.
Former IGTC champion Dennis Olsen joins Campbell, while Nordschleife specialists Falken Motorsport have the likes of Sven Müller and Joel Eriksson split across its two entries. Elsewhere, Dinamic GT is the only non-German team amongst IGTC’s ranks, and Lionspeed GP oversee Au’s Pro-Am effort that’s headlined by Patric Niederhauser.
MERCEDES-AMG | 6x GT GT3
Remarkably, given its success elsewhere, Mercedes-AMG has not won this race since 2016. But that’s certainly not due to a lack of ambition, and this year is no different thanks to four Pro driver line ups amongst its six entries.
Maro Engel was part of the manufacturer’s last N24 victory eight years ago and now joins reigning IGTC champion Jules Gounon – who finished second at Bathurst – and Fabian Schiller aboard a GetSpeed entry cloaked in the brand’s 130-year anniversary livery.
There’s also factory talent in GetSpeed’s second car, which includes IGTC race winner Mikael Grenier and 2016 Nürburgring victor Adam Christodoulou, while another former champion – Dani Juncadella – joins HRT’s particularly strong quartet. It includes Arjun Maini who is on double duty this weekend with Team BILSTEIN.
The Pro-Am entries of HRT and Schnitzelalm Racing are also eligible to score IGTC points.
BMW | 3x M4 GT3
Numerically, at least, BMW finds itself outgunned this weekend. But its record at the Nordschleife as well as the quality of all three entries means it cannot be discounted.
Very little separates the Pro line ups which collectively comprise 10 factory drivers.
ROWE Racing won with the previous generation M6 GT3 back in 2020, 10 years after Augusto Farfus claimed his only victory in a GT2-spec M3. The Brazilian knows the Nordschleife like the back of his hand, so it’s no surprise to see him listed under both #98 and #99.
The latter includes two more previous winners – Dries Vanthoor and Robin Frijns – as well as Sheldon van der Linde, while the other pairs Raffaele Marciello, Maxime Martin and Marco Wittmann. All three are yet to win a 24-hour race at the Nordschleife but have done so just across the border in Belgium.
Meanwhile, there’s youth and experience in Team RMG’s ‘Gen2K’ M4, which includes three drivers born in the 21st Century. Dan Harper and Max Hesse previously earnt their stripes as BMW Juniors at the Nordschleife and are joined by event debutant Charles Weerts. Their car’s glow-in-the-dark livery will look especially striking at night.
ADAC RAVENOL 24H NÜRBURGRING TIMETABLE
Thursday 30 May
13:00 – 14:45: Qualifying 1
20:00 – 23:30: Qualifying 2
Friday 31 May
13:30 – 14:45: Qualifying 3
17:30 – 19:15: Top Qualifying
Saturday 1 June
12:40 – 13:25: Warm-up
16:00: Race start
Sunday 2 June
16:00: Race finish