235,000 spectators flocked to the Nürburgring for the 51st edition of the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Race and experienced an event of superlatives. The race, which uncharacteristically for the Eifel region was held entirely in dry conditions, provided exciting entertainment and numerous incidents.
Qualifying went according to plan for Falken. Nico Menzel (#44) needed 8:11.211 minutes to lap the 25.378-kilometer combination of the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit and Nordschleife, securing a good sixth place on the grid for himself and his teammates Joel Eriksson, Tim Heinemann and Martin Ragginger as the best-placed representative of the Zuffenhausen sports car brand. The #33 sister car with Klaus Bachler, Sven Müller and Alessio Picariello at the wheel followed in 14th place on the grid with a qualifying time of 8:12.599 minutes.
Falken Motorsports finished in the top 10 at the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Race, which took place this weekend at the Nürburgring, after facing major challenges.
For a long time during the first third of the race, the #44 was within striking distance of the leading group as the best Porsche and temporary occupied third place. Around midnight, however, it came into contact with a rival during a lapping maneuver, which resulted in a high-speed spin and a short repair stop. At the end of the twice-around-the-clock chase, Menzel / Eriksson / Heinemann / Ragginger were flagged off in 10th position.
For the #33 the race was even more turbulent. Contact in the early stages initially cost some time, but after an impressive catch up the nine-eleven was quickly back in the top 15. At around 3:30 a.m. the Falken Porsche was hit again with a slower car during a lapping maneuver and subsequently making contact with the guardrail. The end for Bachler / Müller / Picariello.
“Our goal was a result in the top 5, which would have been possible from the performance of our cars. Unfortunately, luck was not on our side this time,” Markus Bögner, COO President and Managing Director of Falken Tyres Europe GmbH, summarized. “Thanks to our partner Schnabl Engineering for the perfect preperation of our cars and to our 300 satisfied guests, with whom we were able to enjoy an unforgettable weekend.”
