- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
GT Racing
GT: Nürburgring 24 Notebook
News and notes from this weekend’s annual twice-around-the-clock German endurance classic...
Patrick Long is among the American hopefuls seeking victory in the Nurburgring 24. (Photo: John Dagys)
LONG ON THE N24 EXPERIENCE — For Patrick Long, last year’s Nürburgring 24 was an eye-opening experience, having not only been part of the Porsche’s highly publicized 911 GT3 R Hybrid program but also making his 24-hour race debut on the "Green Hell."
Nearly twelve months later, the American Porsche factory driver has returned to the ‘Ring, this time in one of Manthey Racing’s contending Porsche 911 GT3 Rs. He’ll team with Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy and Joerg Bergmeister, his regular co-driver in the American Le Mans Series.
"From start to end, it's an experience like nothing I've ever done,” Long said of the Nürburgring 24. “Words can't really give you that understanding, you just have to come and experience it.
“It's spectacular to be here but it's absolutely insanity on the track. There's nothing near it in how crazy it is to be out there. The track is so quick, so blind and there are so many cars with varying speed and varying amounts of driving experience.
“It's one place where you see the whites in the eyes of a lot of guys known as being fearless. This is one place that commands respect.”
Long, who compares the Nürburgring experience of being the Disney World for motorsport enthusiasts, has been a quick learner but realizes the task at hand, especially when up against more experienced drivers who have literally grown up around the famed 16-mile course.
"Being with Manthey, it's a favorite amongst the Porsche entries,” he said. “I think that [team owner Olaf Manthey] threw me into the deep end [last year] and that I got the call to come back is an honor. I didn't know if I would receive that invite.
“So to be in an all-pro car is humbling but I know that I have a lot of expectations on my shoulders. It just keeps me focused."
CORVETTE STARS SET FOR SUGAR RUSH — Another SP9-class entry of American interest comes from Haribo Racing, which is fielding a Callaway Corvette for none other than factory stars Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook, along with German Daniel Keilwitz.
While running as a customer effort this weekend, the team's GT3-spec machine is fresh off victory in the ADAC GT Masters round in Zandvoort earlier this month and could be considered as one of the dark horse (or gummy bear?) picks for the win.
Milner is also riding on plenty of momentum, having won the last two ALMS races and taking an early points lead.
"Certainty there are a lot of quick teams and cars but we are here to win,” said Milner, who will be making his second N24 start. “Jan, Richard, Daniel and myself, that's what we want to do and that's why we're here.
"You just have to keep your head down for the first half of the race and not worry about how fast you're going, stay out of trouble and see where you end up."
The gummy bear sponsored Corvette will roll off 17th on the grid after only turning a limited number of laps in practice and qualifying in efforts to conserve the car and keep it out of any potential harm.
NURBURGRING/SPA 24 HOUR TROPHY — For the first time, organizers of the Nürburgring 24 and the 24 Hours of Spa will award a joint trophy for the most successful team taking part in both around-the-clock races. The aggregate results from both races will be calculated.
A number of teams are expected to compete in both, including Team WRT (Audi), Marc VDS (BMW), Vita4One (BMW), Black Falcon (Mercedes) and Haribo Racing Team (Porsche).
BY THE NUMBERS — 171 cars and more than 600 drivers will participate in this weekend’s 24-hour race... The track length of the Nürburgring Nordschleife plus Grand Prix circuit is 16 miles and features 170 corners... More than 200,000 spectators are expected to turn out for the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.
WATCH THE N24 LIVE WITH AUDI.TV — Want to keep up with the race? Log onto http://www.audi.tv for live streaming video and additional coverage of its own from the Nordschleife. http://www.radiolemans.com will also be offering live and uninterrupted audio coverage. The action gets underway at 10 a.m. ET.
PHOTOS: Nürburgring 24 Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Nearly twelve months later, the American Porsche factory driver has returned to the ‘Ring, this time in one of Manthey Racing’s contending Porsche 911 GT3 Rs. He’ll team with Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy and Joerg Bergmeister, his regular co-driver in the American Le Mans Series.
"From start to end, it's an experience like nothing I've ever done,” Long said of the Nürburgring 24. “Words can't really give you that understanding, you just have to come and experience it.
“It's spectacular to be here but it's absolutely insanity on the track. There's nothing near it in how crazy it is to be out there. The track is so quick, so blind and there are so many cars with varying speed and varying amounts of driving experience.
“It's one place where you see the whites in the eyes of a lot of guys known as being fearless. This is one place that commands respect.”
Long, who compares the Nürburgring experience of being the Disney World for motorsport enthusiasts, has been a quick learner but realizes the task at hand, especially when up against more experienced drivers who have literally grown up around the famed 16-mile course.
"Being with Manthey, it's a favorite amongst the Porsche entries,” he said. “I think that [team owner Olaf Manthey] threw me into the deep end [last year] and that I got the call to come back is an honor. I didn't know if I would receive that invite.
“So to be in an all-pro car is humbling but I know that I have a lot of expectations on my shoulders. It just keeps me focused."
CORVETTE STARS SET FOR SUGAR RUSH — Another SP9-class entry of American interest comes from Haribo Racing, which is fielding a Callaway Corvette for none other than factory stars Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook, along with German Daniel Keilwitz.
While running as a customer effort this weekend, the team's GT3-spec machine is fresh off victory in the ADAC GT Masters round in Zandvoort earlier this month and could be considered as one of the dark horse (or gummy bear?) picks for the win.
Milner is also riding on plenty of momentum, having won the last two ALMS races and taking an early points lead.
"Certainty there are a lot of quick teams and cars but we are here to win,” said Milner, who will be making his second N24 start. “Jan, Richard, Daniel and myself, that's what we want to do and that's why we're here.
"You just have to keep your head down for the first half of the race and not worry about how fast you're going, stay out of trouble and see where you end up."
The gummy bear sponsored Corvette will roll off 17th on the grid after only turning a limited number of laps in practice and qualifying in efforts to conserve the car and keep it out of any potential harm.
NURBURGRING/SPA 24 HOUR TROPHY — For the first time, organizers of the Nürburgring 24 and the 24 Hours of Spa will award a joint trophy for the most successful team taking part in both around-the-clock races. The aggregate results from both races will be calculated.
A number of teams are expected to compete in both, including Team WRT (Audi), Marc VDS (BMW), Vita4One (BMW), Black Falcon (Mercedes) and Haribo Racing Team (Porsche).
BY THE NUMBERS — 171 cars and more than 600 drivers will participate in this weekend’s 24-hour race... The track length of the Nürburgring Nordschleife plus Grand Prix circuit is 16 miles and features 170 corners... More than 200,000 spectators are expected to turn out for the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.
WATCH THE N24 LIVE WITH AUDI.TV — Want to keep up with the race? Log onto http://www.audi.tv for live streaming video and additional coverage of its own from the Nordschleife. http://www.radiolemans.com will also be offering live and uninterrupted audio coverage. The action gets underway at 10 a.m. ET.
PHOTOS: Nürburgring 24 Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
VIDEO: 8Star LM24 Wednesday vBlog
Rui Aguas checks into SPEED.com prior to the start of practice and… -
LE MANS: Corvette On-Board Pass Returns For LM24
Watch! Live in-car and garage cameras from Corvette Racing during… -
LE MANS: Lotus LMP2 Cars Seized By Court
BREAKING: Lotus T128 parts seized by local courts over financial… -
LE MANS: Taylor Brothers Continuing Family Tradition
Second-generation racers Jordan, Ricky Taylor seek victory at Le… -
LE MANS: LM24 LMP1 Preview
John Dagys takes a team-by-team look at this year’s LMP1 class… -
DE CHAUNAC: Le Mans 1998, Extreme Tension
After two participations without podium with the Viper, 1998 was… -
LE MANS: Baron's Helping Hand At SRT
2012 LMP2 class-winning team owner and strategist drafted in to support… - More News
