Klaus Bachler, Sven Müller and Martin Ragginger remain part of the Falken Motorsports‘ team and will be joined by Joel Eriksson, Alessio Picariello, Tim Heinemann and Nico Menzel during the season
Opening round sees Sven Müller and Joel Eriksson in the #3 Falken Porsche with Nico Menzel and Martin Ragginger in the #4 entry
Falken Motorsports has confirmed its participation in the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife for the 2023 season. A familiar presence in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and the 24h Race, Falken Motorsports will perform on the Eifel circuit with a brace of brand-new Porsche 911 GT3 R models (based on the current 992 generation), driven by a talented roster of drivers.
Falken Motorsports’ first taste of the new 992-series Porsche 911 GT3 R at the eighth NLS round last year prompted the decision to continue the successful collaboration with the prestigious brand that began in 2011.
Falken Motorsports will start its 13th season with Porsche at the Nürburgring with two latest specification Porsche 911 GT3 Rs (992) with their 4.2-litre boxer engines, delivering up to 565hp and now complemented by improved vehicle aerodynamics and optimised balance. Fitted with Falken race-winning tyres, the Porsche 911 GT3 R impressed Falken Motorsports during testing on the Nordschleife, raising its expectations to clinch further victories in 2023.
To ensure that the team has the best chance to conquer the Nordschleife and achieve success in the NLS and the 24h race, a strong driver line-up has been selected. Klaus Bachler, Sven Müller and Martin Ragginger remain part of the Falken Motorsports’ team. The trio has been competing for the Japanese tyre brand for many years; in particular, Ragginger has played a key part in the Porsche project since its inception in 2011.
Younger, but no less experienced drivers, include Joel Eriksson and Alessio Picariello, who have both driven for Falken Motorsports with success in recent years. In 2022, Swedish driver Eriksson took two victories in the season, together with Sven Müller. Picariello claimed an overall victory in the NLS’ 12-hour event last year. Tim Heinemann, who competed for Falken Motorsports for the first time in 2022, also remains part of the team, alongside his new commitment in the DTM.
The strong driver line-up is completed by Nico Menzel. The 25-year-old grew up near the Nürburgring and has already completed countless laps of the Nordschleife – also in a Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Falken Motorsports’ first event at the Nordschleife this year is planned for the opening test, which take places this weekend (March 10th-12th). The two Falken Porsches will be shared by Klaus Bachler, Nico Menzel, Sven Müller, Joel Eriksson and Tim Heinemann. The driver line-up for the season opener, the 68th ADAC Westfalenfahrt on March 18th will see Sven Müller and Joel Eriksson drive the #3 Falken Porsche and Nico Menzel and Martin Ragginger in the #4 Porsche, aiming for the coveted overall victory.
In addition to other NLS races, Falken will also participate in the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers (April 22nd-23rd), the season’s prologue, and the legendary ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring race (May 18th-21st).
