This is an eye-opening onboard lap of the Nürburgring filmed during Friday qualifying. At the wheel of the #44 Falken Motorsports Porsche 911 is Martin Ragginger.

The sights, the sounds, the closing speeds. There is only one Nordschleife. There is only one 24 hour race!

As the lap nears its completion the fog and mist grows heavier. In the dead of night, in heavy rain and fog, the Nordschleife would be a scary, scary place.

[Source: Ferdinand Magazine]

After qualifying on the front row and showing superb early race pace Aston Martin had high hopes for the #007 V12 Vantage GT3. Indeed, they took the lead in the second hour and held it until the race was red flagged late on Sunday evening.

After the restart the big Aston couldn’t match it with its German rivals in the still very wet conditions. Then a minor off forced them to settle for a race finish and tenth place was the best they could manage.

Other notable appearances from Aston included the #100 Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, which had the rather more modest goal of simply finishing the race. That they did, proving a very valuable test for its innovative drivetrain.

Mal Rose and Peter Leemhuis from Australia formed part of the #006 Vantage V8 crew and despite some dramas early on they managed to fight back really well to claim third in the SP8 class.

Of course, 2013 is Aston Martin’s centenary and off-track they entertained racegoers with the stunning CC100 Speedster Concept.

Aston Martin celebrates centenary at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Nürburgring, 20 May 2013 – Aston Martin’s weekend of centenary celebrations at the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours (N24) concluded this evening (Monday 20 May) with a thrilling top-ten result for its Bilstein-liveried V12 Vantage GT3 and a historic finish for its unique Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S in one of the most grueling 24-hour races in recent years.

In a weekend that started with the British luxury sports car maker entering the history books with a zero CO2 emissions hydrogen-powered qualifying lap, the brand also hosted a 100-plus car parade lap of the famous 25 km Nordschleife, led by CEO Dr Ulrich Bez in the stunning CC100 Speedster Concept and motorsport legend Sir Stirling Moss at the wheel of the 1959 1000 km of Nürburgring race-winning DBR1.

For the race, Aston Martin Racing works driver Pedro Lamy (PT) qualified the Bilstein V12 Vantage GT3 in second position overall. The five-time N24 winner set a blistering time of 8:18.362, stopping the clock just 1.1 seconds behind the pole position winner.

After taking the race lead in the second hour Lamy‘s team-mates Darren Turner (GB), Stefan Mücke (D) and Allan Simonsen (DN) each led at points as the rain and fog worsened until, finally, the event was red flagged at 22:30 hrs.

The green flag finally waved again at 08:00 hrs today (Monday 20 May) with Aston Martin Racing still leading the race. In persistently wet conditions, the drivers struggled for grip and the V12 Vantage GT3 gradually lost its advantage over its rivals. A brush with the barriers in the difficult early laps affected the car’s handling for the remainder of the race, curtailing any chance to push hard in the improving conditions. Thereafter, the team wisely settled for a safe finish and was delighted to bring the car home in tenth place overall.

John Gaw, Team Principal at Aston Martin Racing comments: “The team did a fantastic job this weekend and we couldn’t have done it without our partners from Bilstein.

“Our car performed perfectly on the Michelin slicks and, in the dry, we recorded some of the very fastest lap times of the race. In the wet we struggled with grip, but this is something we will work on together ahead of next year’s race.”

Darren Turner adds: “Wow, another amazing Nürburgring 24 Hours! As ever, it’s been a whole host of ups and down. It was a great job by Pedro in qualifying and to lead the race up until the red flag was very exciting and showed exactly what the Vantage GT3 can achieve.

“Coming back next year we need to work on our wet weather pace but, overall, I’m very proud of the team. As always, it’s been a pleasure to drive with Pedro, Stefan and Allan and the boys did a great job in our pit stops.”

Alongside the Vantage GT3 charger Aston Martin’s mould-breaking Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S – designed and built with the support of hydrogen specialists Alset Global and based on the manufacturer’s new four-door, four-seat sports GT – achieved its ambitious goal of completing the world-famous 24-hour race.

“This is a historic day for two reasons,” explains Jose Ignacio Calindo, CEO of Alset Global. “Besides being the first hydrogen-powered race car to compete and undertake zero CO2 emissions laps in an international event, it has showcased the most practical technology available to fundamentally address the challenge of global emissions without disrupting the automotive industry.”

The #005 V12 Vantage, which encountered a minor electrical issue in the first few hours of the race, charged on through the second section putting in consistently quick laps in the close-to-production specification car. However, its charge was not enough to make up the lost time and the team finished fifth in class.

Also in the SP8 class the #006 V8 Vantage, driven by Aston Martin customers, celebrated a great third in class and a podium finish following a clean run of faultless racing throughout the weekend. The four drivers were awarded with their third place trophies at a ceremony this evening.

David King, Head of Motorsport at Aston Martin, comments: “The Nürburgring is a place Aston Martin holds close and it seemed fitting to mark our centenary year with a host of powerful and emotive celebrations.

“First and foremost, however, it was about the race and it was our ambition to bring all of our cars home safely for the eighth successive year. To achieve a top ten finish with the Vantage GT3 is a fantastic achievement, especially given the extremely tough conditions.

“We are also proud to have given our 300-plus VIP guests and our many thousands of fans something really special to celebrate.

“As always the team has done a perfect job, our partners have been incredible and we hope to come back next year even stronger to continue our campaign to win the Nürburgring 24 Hours.”

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez, who drove several stints in the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S over the course of the race, said: “This year’s race here at Nürburgring has been a celebration of all the things that Aston Martin stands for: power, people and dedication!

“Record-breaking hydrogen success incorporating the very latest V12 engine technology, a race-leading performance for the GT3, strong laps from the V12 Vantage and the global unveiling of the stunning CC100 Speedster Concept – created in the spirit of our most famous race car ever, the classic DBR1 – have ensured Aston Martin is once again taking a leading role here.

“Our centenary celebrations continue, of course, and now we look forward to more success on track at Le Mans.”

Aston Martin will next race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship, which Aston Martin Racing is currently leading with its #97 Vantage GTE.

So, Mercedes-Benz has just won their first ever Nürburgring 24 our race. There’s been 41 of these races now and it’s taken until 2013 for Mercedes to win one. You’d reckon they’d be absolutely over the moon at their success.

Well, not really. They’ve issued a fairly modest press release and with the exception of the image above, just four pretty average photos. This is one the world’s greatest endurance events for GT3 cars and this is all they can come up with?

Never mind. At least the quote from first-time winner Bernd Schneider reminds us of why victory in races such as this must always taste so sweet: “Our car was super to drive, especially in the wet, and even while the surface was drying out, we were always up with the leading group. I’ve attempted the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on several previous occasions, but this is the first time I’ve ever crossed the finish line. My congratulations and thanks go to the whole team. The guys at Black Falcon did a great job.”

UPDATE: A few more pics have been provided by Mercedes, but they’re still behind the offerings from Audi and Porsche. However, they’ve gone some way to redeeming themselves with the six part video series from the race.

24-Hours of Nürburgring: Victory for Black Faclon AMG customer team – first overall victory for SLS AMG GT3

• First overall victory for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3
• Black Falcon win endurance classic
  
• ROWE RACING finish third and fourth
  
• Bernd Schneider secures first place

Nürburg/Affalterbach, 20 May 2013 – Mercedes-Benz and AMG today secured the first overall win in the 24-Hours of Nürburgring. Bearing starting number 9, Black Falcon with Bernd Schneider (Germany), Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (Denmark) went from sixth position on the grid to finish the legendary endurance race 2:39 minutes ahead of the second placed car after 88 laps. This historic overall victory in the legendary endurance classic in the Eifel represents the first success for Mercedes-Benz.

Record-breaking five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider had a largely trouble-free race in the SLS AMG GT3 Black Falcon– an excursion off track on Monday morning ended without drama. The victory was rounded off by positions three and four for ROWE RACING.

Thomas Jäger was a double entrant, taking the cockpit in two SLS AMG GT3s prepared by ROWE RACING. In Gullwing #22, the former DTM driver, along with Klaus Graf, Jan Seyffarth and Nico Bastian (all Germany), came home in third place overall. Jäger, at the wheel of car number 23, aided by team-mates Lance David Arnold, Alexander Roloff and Jan Seyffarth (all Germany), finally took the chequered flag in fourth place.

Alexander Böhm, Black Falcon General Manager: “The ultra-reliable SLS AMG GT3 was once again the cornerstone for this historic victory. All the drivers did a great job – we were really fast, especially in the wet. A big thank you to all team members!”

Hans-Peter Naundorf, ROWE RACING Team Manager: “I am extremely pleased with securing P3 and P4 with #22 and #23, especially as we were forced to retire last year while in the lead. My thanks go to all drivers and team members. Congratulations to the winning team, Black Falcon.”

Uli Fritz, Head of AMG Customer Sports: “We were not among the favourites to win, as we are not a works team but simply a customer outfit. We are very excited about this historic success. So far in 2013, we have won every major endurance race with the SLS AMG GT3 – in January, the Dubai (UAE) 24-hour race, in February, the Bathurst 12-Hours (Australia) and now the legendary 24- hour race here at the Nürburgring. My congratulations go to all AMG customer teams, and many thanks to tyre partner Dunlop for the excellent manner in which they have supported our team.”

Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “A great success for our customer teams Black Falcon and ROWE RACING. I am very pleased that we have succeeded at only the third attempt in taking the top spot in the SLS AMG GT3. This victory is the best confirmation of our customer sports programme.”

Toto Wolff, Head of Motorsport at Mercedes-Benz: “This victory in the 24- hour race at the Nürburgring is the just reward for the loyalty of our customer teams. Mercedes-Benz has a magnificent tradition in endurance racing that stretches back as far as the 1950s. The Nürburgring has always had a great importance and symbolic meaning for Mercedes-Benz, because this is where the legend of the Silver Arrow was born, so it is all the more gratifying to witness the success here today of the AMG customer teams. The Mercedes-Benz name stands for performance, quality and reliability – which are the perfect prerequisites for winning such a tough race on the most demanding racetrack in the world. I extend my congratulations to our customer teams, Black Falcon and ROWE RACING. Credit is also due to Mercedes-AMG for their outstanding support without which this success could not have been achieved.”

Bernd Schneider, Black Falcon, # 9: “Our car was super to drive, especially in the wet, and even while the surface was drying out, we were always up with the leading group. I’ve attempted the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring on several previous occasions, but this is the first time I’ve ever crossed the finish line. My congratulations and thanks go to the whole team. The guys at Black Falcon did a great job.”

Thomas Jäger, ROWE RACING, # 22: “Once again, we have seen what a fabulous car the SLS AMG GT3 is to drive, even under these very difficult conditions here at the Nürburgring. Our third and fourth place finishes represent a great team result for ROWE RACING, and obviously I’m delighted for the guys at Black Falcon on their historic victory.”

Lance David Arnold, ROWE RACING, # 23: “I’m very pleased that I was able to finish fourth on my very first outing for the AMG customer team ROWE RACING. This was very tough race, not least because of the heavy rain and the constantly changing conditions. I’d like to express my gratitude and congratulations to the whole team.”

Seven SLS AMG GT3s in 24-hour race at Nürburgring

There were no fewer than seven SLS AMG GT3s contesting the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. Car number 63 entered by Black Falcon and driven by Vimal Mehta (IND), Kaled al Qubaisi (UAE), Daniel Keilwitz and Christian Bracke (both GER) finished in 19th position. Number 125 (ROWE RACING) with Michael Zehe, Reinhold Renger, Marko Hartung and Mark Bullit (all GER) sharing the cockpit crossed the line in P27. Car number 10, also entered by Black Falcon and driven by Andrii Lebed (UKR), Andreas Simonsen (SWE), Dennis Rostek (GER) and Hari Proczyk (AUT), spent much of the race under repair and eventually finished in 130th position. The ROWE RACING number 21 driven by Marko Hartung, Kenneth Heyer, Roland Rehfeld and Christan Hohenadel (all GER) had to retire from the race after an accident.

For all their recent success, including five wins in the years 2006–2011, Porsche has walked away from the 2013 Nürburgring 24 hour race unfulfilled.

The best they could manage was seventh place in the #18 911 GT3 RSR driven by Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Marc Lieb/Lucas Luhr, all multiple winners at the Ring with the Manthey Racing team. The only consolation for Porsche is the #18 car won the SP7 class.

Oh well, Porsche has provided some of the best pics from the race we’ve seen, which you can also enjoy after the break.

Nürburgring 24 hour race

Best Porsche through rain chaos to finish seventh

Stuttgart. Rain, fog, red-flag, restart – the 41st running of the Nürburgring 24 hour race demanded a great deal from Porsche customer teams. Under extremely unsettled conditions, the best-placed Porsche – a 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Team Manthey Racing with drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France), Marc Lieb (Germany) and Lucas Luhr (Switzerland) – won the SP7 class and scored seventh overall. The 911 GT3 R of Manthey Racing with pilots Jörg Bergmeister (Germany), Marco Holzer (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) took the flag in eleventh place.

In front of 210,000 spectators, Germany’s greatest automobile race got underway on Sunday at 17.00 hours at first under dry conditions. Right from the outset, the Porsche customer teams were up with the play, matching the pace of the front-runners. In the late evening when the rain set in, the 911 GT3 RSR of Bernhard/Dumas/Lieb/Luhr and the 911 GT3 R of Bergmeister/Holzer/Lietz/Tandy were already running one behind the other in positions two and three. At 22.44 hours the race was halted for around nine and a half hours due to heavy rain and at times minimal visibility caused by fog. “The race director made totally the right decision, because the grip and visibility were more than borderline at this stage,” says Marc Lieb.

At 8:20 hrs with the rain easing, the race was restarted. “Unfortunately at this stage we had not a lot of luck with the tyre choice. The track dried up quicker than we had expected,” explains Timo Bernhard after his first stint. Ultimately, the successful quartet in the 911 GT3 RSR of Manthey Racing brought home seventh place and was also the best-placed car in the SP7 class. “With a little more luck we could have finished further up the field, but victory for us in such weather conditions was not possible this year,” says Romain Dumas.

Luck was also not on the side of the works driver quartet Bergmeister/Holzer/Lietz/Tandy. Three hours after the restart, the 911 GT3 R had to make an unscheduled pit stop for minor transmission repairs. “The mechanics did a sensationally quick job,” comments Nick Tandy. “But it put us more than two laps down. It’s a real shame because prior to the race being red-flagged we were fighting for a podium spot.”

“The 911 GT3 R of our customer teams have shown a very good performance overall. The vehicle of Manthey Racing unfortunately had a small problem with the gearbox and lost almost three laps because of this,” analyses Porsche Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen. “With the 911 GT3 RSR in the SP7 class, the set-up did not work particularly well in the changeable weather conditions.”

BMW may not have won the 2013 Nürburgring 24 hour race but along Maxime Martin they provided some of its best highlights. The 27-year-old Belgian was the fastest man on track after the restart on Monday morning and then in the closing stages was brutal in chase for a podium position.

Yet, with 19 overall victories in the 40 previous 24 hour races, success is expected by BMW at the Ring. If nothing else the #20 Team Schubert Z4 was the best looking car in the event and you know they’ll be back chasing victory again in 2014.

In his post-race comments Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, said: “This Nürburgring 24 Hours was once again packed with excitement—and featured an absolutely sensational final stint from Maxime Martin, who was able to overtake two rivals out on the track in the last few laps.

“Our race was initially blighted by the unlucky collision involving the two BMW Team Schubert cars, and then came the weather-inflicted stoppage during the night – and finally the joy at second place for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. Over the past 24 hours, the legendary Nordschleife has once again shown us exactly what makes this circuit so special and so infamous.

“I would obviously like to thank all the many privateer BMW teams and the fans at the Ring, who defied the miserable conditions to once again produce a fantastic race and a unique atmosphere. Congratulations to Mercedes on its overall victory in the Green Hell.”

Podium for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS at the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

Nürburgring (DE), 20th May 2013. The BMW Z4 GT3 has claimed its first podium finish at the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE): Maxime Martin (BE) brought the number 25 BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS car home in second. As well as Martin, Yelmer Buurman (NL), Andrea Piccini (IT) and Richard Göransson (SE) were also in action over the course of the eventful race.

After 88 laps of the 25.378-kilometre circuit, the runner-up car was 2:39.781 minutes behind winning Mercedes drivers Bernd Schneider (DE), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Sean Edwards (GB) and Nicki Thiim (DK). Because of this, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS narrowly missed out on securing a 20th overall victory for BMW at the endurance classic. With 19 triumphs to its name since 1970, BMW remains by far the most successful manufacturer in the Eifel. After fourth place last year, this result underlines just how at home BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS is on what is possibly the toughest circuit in the world.

As well as Team Principal Bas Leinders’ (BE) crew, BMW Team Schubert also finished with one car in the top ten. Claudia Hürtgen (DE), Dirk Adorf (DE), Jens Klingmann (DE) and DTM driver Martin Tomczyk (DE) refused to be discouraged by several minor set-backs and an unfortunate incident involving the team’s second car. The number 20 BMW Z4 GT3 ended the race in sixth. A “Code 60” as early as the sixth lap caused a long tailback, which ended right behind a section with very poor visibility. Uwe Alzen (DE), in the cockpit of the number 19 car, was unable to avoid the final car in the tailback, which just so happened to be the team’s second BMW Z4 GT3 with Hürtgen at the wheel. Fortunately, however, he did avoid a full-on impact. This collision ultimately resulted in Alzen and his fellow drivers Dirk Müller (DE) and Augusto Farfus (BR), who like Tomczyk had travelled straight from the DTM race at Brands Hatch (GB) to be at the Nürburgring, retiring from the race.

An accident also prevented the second BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS car, driven by Leinders, Henri Moser (CH) and Markus Palttala (FI), from finishing what was, based on the actual driving time, the shortest ever 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. The fifth BMW Z4 GT3 in the field, driven by Henry Walkenhorst (DE), Ralf Oeverhaus (DE), Maximilian Partl (DE) and Wolf Silvester (DE), came home 17th. Motorsport fans in the “Green Hell” saw an eventful race, in which the weather played a crucial role. The race started in dry conditions at 17:00hrs on Sunday. Then, just as forecast, came the rain. This, together with thick fog on parts of the circuit, produced extremely difficult conditions. As a result, the race organisers suspended the 41st staging of the 24-hour race shortly after 23:00hrs. The enforced break that followed lasted over nine hours. Only at 08:20hrs did the race resume.

As well as the works-assisted teams, many privately-run BMW cars also thrilled the fans lining the iconic circuit again this year. BMW teams came home first in the D1T+D3T, SP10 GT4, SP 4+SP 5, SP 6, V4, V5 and V6 classes. This brings the total number of class victories achieved by BMW at the 24-hour race to 162.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“This Nürburgring 24 Hours was once again packed with excitement – and featured an absolutely sensational final stint from Maxime Martin, who was able to overtake two rivals out on the track in the last few laps. Our race was initially blighted by the unlucky collision involving the two BMW Team Schubert cars, and then came the weather-inflicted stoppage during the night – and finally the joy at second place for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS. Over the past 24 hours, the legendary Nordschleife has once again shown us exactly what makes this circuit so special and so infamous. I am delighted for Bas Leinders’ team and the four drivers in the number 25 BMW Z4 GT3. Back in 2012, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS narrowly missed out on a top-three finish in the Green Hell, and now it has its podium. The crew produced a flawless race, as did the drivers, so they really deserve second place. The way the number 20 BMW Team Schubert car fought back was also impressive. The team did not allow the huge misfortune at the start of the race to get them down, and battled back superbly to finish sixth. However, I would obviously like to thank all the many privateer BMW teams and the fans at the Ring, who defied the miserable conditions to once again produce a fantastic race and a unique atmosphere. Congratulations to Mercedes on its overall victory in the Green Hell.”

Bas Leinders (Team Principal, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“Of course we are all very proud of the whole team. Every member of this team has worked so, so hard to achieve a podium here. We came here for the win, but the win is an exclusive thing, it’s very difficult to get there. Saying that, if you get a podium it means you’ve done a very good job. Everyone did an amazing job; drivers, engineers, mechanics, everyone. I think it’s really good to see number 25 on the podium. With number 26 we had this incident with another car spinning on the track, but that’s the Nordschleife. That’s what makes it so special here, there are things you can’t control. I have to thank BMW Motorsport and above all Marc van der Straten, because without his passion we wouldn’t be here.”

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“It was really a very close race in the end. I knew I had to go flat out to catch the two Mercedes. That worked out superbly. We really wanted this podium. After finishing fourth on our first appearance here in 2012, it is simply fantastic to go even better now.”

Yelmer Buurman (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“The Nürburgring 24 Hours is an incredible race, which I really wanted to drive in. To have done that together with BMW and to be stood on the podium is awesome. Everyone in our team did a fantastic job.”

Andrea Piccini (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“That is a superb result. It was definitely the right decision not to race during the night. The conditions were simply too dangerous. When the race resumed, the key for us was not to make any mistakes. Maxime Martin then produced another perfect stint to take us into second place.”

Richard Göransson (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 25, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“The team had a great strategy – and it was clear to us that we had a chance of finishing runner-up. Maxime Martin then reeled in and overtook the two Mercedes at the end. That was fantastic. Thank you to the entire team. Everyone did an amazing job.”

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager, BMW Team Schubert):
“We had high hopes for this race, so are quite disappointed. We were determined to finish on the podium, but the incident in the opening hour of the race dashed any hopes of us achieving this goal. Compliments to my team, who never gave up and recovered the lap we lost. Our drivers in car no. 20 never gave up and kept pushing. That’s why we also take a lot of positives with us from this race. And we will give our all again next time, that’s for sure.”

Claudia Hürtgen (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):
“Congratulations to BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS on second place. They did a good job, but I think they, like us, could have done even better in the right circumstances. You are never immune from problems on the Nordschleife, and you need that little bit of luck. Unfortunately luck was not on our side. We will have to go again next year.”

Dirk Adorf (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):
“The team did everything right, and deserves huge praise. However, we were ultimately missing that necessary good fortune once again. We will be back to try again next year. It has to work out for us at some point.”

Jens Klingmann (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):
“Congratulations to BMW Motorsport on the podium finish. BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS really earned its podium and showed there was more in this race for us with the BMW Z4 GT3. The result is obviously not satisfactory, but, despite that, I am happy we still managed to cross the finish line in a decent position.”

Martin Tomczyk (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20, BMW Team Schubert):
“After the misfortune at the start of the race, which I did not see live because I was still in the plane on the way back from Brands Hatch, we did well to pull ourselves together. Our pace was good, but we obviously wanted to be up there challenging for the overall victory. We will try again next year. I certainly learned something about myself: even though it was a tough weekend, it is possible to drive in the DTM and straight afterwards at a 24-hour race.“

As defending title holders of the Nürburgring 24 hour race Audi came to the Eifel with high expectations. Sadly for them it was their poorest performance since the debut of the R8 racecar.

In the end the best any of the Audi runners could manage was fifth place. That was car #1 the G-Drive Racing by Phoenix entry driven by Marcel Fässler/Mike Rockenfeller/Frank Stippler/Markus Winkelhock. Coincedentally that’s the same position they qualified in.

The polesitting #4 Team Phoenix R8 LMS ultra, crewed by Michael Ammermüller/Frank Stippler/Ferdinand Stuc/Johannes Stuck, finished in eighth place, two laps behind the winner.

Speaking after the race Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, said: “I’ve never experienced such a tough event of the 24-hour race since the R8 started running here.

“Still, our customers demonstrated a great fighting spirit. Our congratulations today go to those who finished the race and of course to the overall winners of Mercedes-Benz. I’m sure that our customers will attack again at Spa in July at the next 24-hour race.”

Audi’s full statement and a large gallery of images from the race awaits after the break.

Audi customers pass tough Eifel test

• Race interruption and high retirement rate due to extreme weather
  
• G-Drive Racing by Phoenix best Audi customer team in fifth place
  
• Three Audi R8 LMS ultra cars among the top ten

Ingolstadt/Nürburg, May 20, 2013 – The customer teams of last year’s winner Audi experienced one of the toughest events of the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year. Heavy rain forced race control during the night to interrupt the race for more than nine hours. Numerous accidents caused a treacherous mix of oil, mud and rain water on the track. Three Audi R8 LMS ultra cars had accidents in these critical conditions and retired. In the end, Marcel Fässler/Mike Rockenfeller/Frank Stippler/Markus Winkelhock (CH/D/D/D) in fifth place were the best Audi drivers.

For the first time since the 24-hour Nürburgring debut of the racing version of the R8 in May 2009, there was no trophy for the GT sports car. Four times in succession, the R8 LMS won the GT3 class. In addition, Audi celebrated overall victory a year ago. Following this factory-backed commitment, customer teams exclusively relied on the most recent evolution of the R8 LMS ultra. Five teams put eight race cars on the grid. Frank Stippler (D) started the race weekend for Phoenix Racing by setting the best time in qualifying. From grid position one, last year’s winner in car number 4 took the lead at the beginning of the race. Subsequently, the local hero from Bad Münstereifel, who was nominated for two cars, concentrated on his stints in car number 1, the R8 LMS ultra of G-Drive Racing by Phoenix.

Stippler with his team-mates Marcel Fässler, Markus Winkelhock and Mike Rockenfeller, who had directly arrived from Brands Hatch where he won a DTM round, was initially running among the top three teams. Due to an exchange of the oxygen sensor, car number 1 dropped to tenth place on Sunday night. Up to the interruption of the race the team had recovered to fourth place. On Monday, the quartet defended its position in the fiercely competitive field of the front runners as rain was repeatedly setting in again. In the end, they finished in fifth place.

Several Audi customers got to experience the trickiness of the conditions that prevailed after the race was interrupted. Michael Ammermüller (D) was fortunate when after an excursion only the tie rod on his number 4 Audi had to be exchanged. Consequently, together with Ferdinand and Johannes Stuck (A), he managed the leap onto position eight. One position behind them, Frank Biela/Christer Jöns/Luca Ludwig/Roman Rusinov (D/D/D/RUS) in the second car of G-Drive Racing by Phoenix reached the finish.

Almost simultaneously with Ammermüller, Laurens Vanthoor (B) had slipped into the guard rails on an oil leak. The suspension of his number 29 Audi of the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT was too heavily damaged for a repair. Around 80 minutes later, Christian Mamerow (D) was struck by misfortune. At the ‘Schwedenkreuz’ he got off track on a slippery spot. He destroyed the suspension of his number 2 R8 LMS ultra so that Prosperia C. Abt Team Mamerow retired.

Car number 14 of the Audi race experience experienced a smaller accident as well on lapping a rival but Pierre Ehret (D) was able to continue to drive. Piloted by other enthusiastic customers and several professional drivers, the two R8 LMS ultra cars of the Audi race experience otherwise completed their laps in a commanding manner and in the end took positions 18 and 28.

“I’ve never experienced such a tough event of the 24-hour race since the R8 started running here,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Still, our customers demonstrated a great fighting spirit. Our congratulations today go to those who finished the race and of course to the overall winners of Mercedes-Benz. I’m sure that our customers will attack again at Spa in July at the next 24-hour race.”

Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH, commented, “Every string comes to an end. Since May 2012, the R8 has won four 24-hour races – at the Nürburgring, at Spa, at Zolder plus the class victory at Daytona in January. That the R8 LMS ultra is a reliable and fast endurance race car we saw nonetheless at the Nürburgring in the fierce competition of more than 30 GT3 race cars. Together with our customers, we’re already looking forward to the next challenges.”

Race results

1. Edwards/Bleekemolen/Schneider/Thiim (Mercedes), 88 laps
2. Buurman/Göransson/Martin/Piccini (BMW) + 2m 39.7s
3. Bastian/Graf/Jäger/Seyffarth (Mercedes) – 1 lap
4. Arnold/Jäger/Roloff/Seyffarth (Mercedes) – 1 lap
5. Fässler/Rockenfeller/Stippler/Winkelhock (Audi R8 LMS ultra) – 1 lap
6. Adorf/Hürtgen/Klingmann/Tomczyk (BMW) – 1 lap
7. Bernhard/Dumas/Lieb/Luhr (Porsche) – 1 lap
8. Ammermüller/Stippler/Stuck/Stuck (Audi R8 LMS ultra) – 2 laps
9. Biela/Jöns/Ludwig/Rusinov (Audi R8 LMS ultra) – 2 laps
10. Lamy/Mücke/Simonsen/Turner (Aston Martin) – 2 laps
18. Bastien/Frey/Werner/Yoong (Audi R8 LMS ultra) – 6 laps
29. Bollrath/Ehret/Saurenmann/Werner (Audi R8 LMS ultra) – 8 laps

When we heard that Michael Schumacher would be driving a modern day F1 car around the Nordschleife we were excited. We should have known better. It promised so much and delivered so little.

Cruelled by F1′s in season testing restrictions, which limited the speed Michael could do, and coupled with a marketing exercise from Mercedes-Benz it was a total fizzer.

Such a shame, because it could have been so good. Just as well Mercedes ended up winning the main show, the Nürburgring 24 hour race, so that it could walk way from the Ring with some dignity in tact.

The #9 Black Falcon Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3, driven by Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim, has won a dramatic Nürburgring 24 hour race. Can there ever be any other kind?

Around nine hours were lost to rain and fog, but the time that was left delivered a worthy endurance test. Amazingly, it is the first win at the Nürburgring 24 hour race for Mercedes, Black Falcon and Bernd Schneider—all established stars of endurance racing—and we salute them for their well-deserved victory.

Special mention, too, for Jeroen Bleekemolen who departed mid-race to be with his wife for the birth of their twins. No, we’re not joking!

In second place, with a charging Maxime Martin at the wheel, was the #25 Team Marc VDS BMW Z4. Martin was one of the main stars of this race. He put in a sterling performance at the restart to take the lead from Aston Martin.

As the 24 hour mark was closing in it looked like Mercedes would clean sweep the podium, but Martin interrupted the party by reeling in the two Rowe Racing Gullwings in spectacular fashion. Perhaps, if the charging BMW driver had another 20 minutes or so he may have been able to pressure the #9 car as well. If nothing else we thank him for the exciting finish to the race.

That left the two Rowe Racing Mercedes and the small matter of a podium place to fight for. Despite a fine scrap that saw positions swapped the #23 car had to pit for extra fuel, leaving the #22 machine to claim third place.

The 41st Nürburgring 24 hour race has been run and won. And even though we lost around nine hours due to poor weather the race delivered plenty of drama and excitement.

Final placings for the Australian and New Zealand drivers has been compiled below. Special mentions to Paul Stubber (first Aussie across the line); Rob Thomson (winner of Class SP6); Mal Rose and Peter Leemhuis (third in class SP8); and, finally, Wayne Moore, Michael Eden and Maurice O’Reilly the Kiwi trio who overcame adversity to finish a race that was lost inside the first hour.

It was fantastic to see Wayne’s car flying the NZ flag in the closing stages!

Once again, well done to all who made the long trek from down under. Your efforts are certainly appreciated by AUSringers and we wish you well for the future.

Car #27 – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S // Class SP9 GT3
35th outright // 19th in class (79 laps)
Paul Stubber (AUS), Roberto Fecchio (ITA), Dario Paletto (ITA), Marco Mapelli (ITA)

Car #42 – Porsche 997 // Class SP7
54th outright // 12th in class (74 laps)
Clint Harvey (AUS), Brett Niall (AUS), Malcolm Niall (AUS), Mark Pilatti (AUS)

Car #89 – BMW Z4 Coupé // Class SP6
61st outright // 1st in class (73 laps)
Rob Thomson (AUS), Stefan Aust (GER), Frank Weishar (GER), Andreas Weishaupt (GER)

Car #102 – Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 // Class SP3T
66th outright // 5th in class (73 laps)
Gregory Spark (NZL), Olaf Schley (GER), Andres Serrano (ECU), Yasuyoshi Yamamoto (JPN)

Car #6 – Aston Martin Vantage V8 // Class SP8
76th outright // 3rd in class (71 laps)
Mal Rose (AUS), Peter Leemhuis (AUS), Joachim Kern (GER), Egon Allgäuer (SUI)

Car #177 – BMW E36 // Class V6
78th outright // 6th in class (71 laps)
Angus Chapel (AUS), Garth Duffy (AUS), Dominique Bastien (USA), Michael Clemens (GER)

Car #153 – Seat Leon TDI // Class D1T
125th outright // 2nd in class (55 laps)
Martin Bailey (AUS), Ivo Breukers (NED), Sjaco Griffroen (NED), Henk Thijssen (NED)

Car #190 – BMW E36 M3 // Class V5
127th outright // 6th in class (54 laps)
Michael Eden (NZL), Wayne Moore (NZL), Maurice O’Reilly (NZL), Niels Borum (GER)

Car #144 – Renault Clio Cup // Class SP3
Retired (40 laps)
Christopher Gleeson (AUS), Hugh Buckley (GBR), Volker Kühn (GER), Bashar Mardini (UAE)

Car #72 – Aston Martin Vantage V8 // Class SP8
Retired—accident (23 laps)
Ric Shaw (AUS), Kim Hauschild (GER), Tom Moran (GER), Dieter Svepes (AUT)

Car #90 – BMW E36 M3 // Class SP5
Retired—accident (3 laps)
Tony Alford (AUS), Kean Booker (AUS), Richard Gartner (AUS), Peter O’Donnell (AUS)

At the head of the field Mercedes has three cars in the top four and with only two hours to go can be excused for starting to think about victory. It’s the #9 Black Falcon car out in front as we speak with a pair of Rowe Racing Mercs split by the #25 Team Marc VDS BMW Z4.

The #144 Renault Clio Cup with Australian Christopher Gleeson hasn’t completed any more laps since our last update so we can assume it is out of the race. Alas, we’re not sure why.

Updates on the remaining Aussies and Kiwis after hour 22 can be seen below.

Car #27 – Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S // Class SP9 GT3
42nd outright // 20th in class (67 laps)
Paul Stubber (AUS), Roberto Fecchio (ITA), Dario Paletto (ITA), Marco Mapelli (ITA)

Car #42 – Porsche 997 // Class SP7
60th outright // 14th in class (63 laps)
Clint Harvey (AUS), Brett Niall (AUS), Malcolm Niall (AUS), Mark Pilatti (AUS)

Car #89 – BMW Z4 Coupé // Class SP6
72nd outright // 3rd in class (61 laps)
Rob Thomson (AUS), Stefan Aust (GER), Frank Weishar (GER), Andreas Weishaupt (GER)

Car #102 – Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 // Class SP3T
74th outright // 5th in class (61 laps)
Gregory Spark (NZL), Olaf Schley (GER), Andres Serrano (ECU), Yasuyoshi Yamamoto (JPN)

Car #177 – BMW E36 // Class V6
77th outright // 6th in class (61 laps)
Angus Chapel (AUS), Garth Duffy (AUS), Dominique Bastien (USA), Michael Clemens (GER)

Car #6 – Aston Martin Vantage V8 // Class SP8
87th outright // 4th in class (60 laps)
Mal Rose (AUS), Peter Leemhuis (AUS), Joachim Kern (GER), Egon Allgäuer (SUI)

Car #153 – Seat Leon TDI // Class D1T
139th outright // 2nd in class (46 laps)
Martin Bailey (AUS), Ivo Breukers (NED), Sjaco Griffroen (NED), Henk Thijssen (NED)

Car #190 – BMW E36 M3 // Class V5
142nd outright // 6th in class (45 laps)
Michael Eden (NZL), Wayne Moore (NZL), Maurice O’Reilly (NZL), Niels Borum (GER)

Car #144 – Renault Clio Cup // Class SP3
Retired (40 laps)
Christopher Gleeson (AUS), Hugh Buckley (GBR), Volker Kühn (GER), Bashar Mardini (UAE)

Car #72 – Aston Martin Vantage V8 // Class SP8
Retired—accident (23 laps)
Ric Shaw (AUS), Kim Hauschild (GER), Tom Moran (GER), Dieter Svepes (AUT)

Car #90 – BMW E36 M3 // Class SP5
Retired—accident (3 laps)
Tony Alford (AUS), Kean Booker (AUS), Richard Gartner (AUS), Peter O’Donnell (NZL)