Falken with top 10 result at the 24h race on the Nurburgring
235,000 spectators flocked to the 51st edition of the ADAC TotalEnergies 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and experienced an event of superlatives. The race, which, untypically for the Eifel, took place completely under 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-kilometre combination of Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit and Nordschleife and secured a good time for himself and his teammates Joel Eriksson, Tim Heinemann and Martin Ragginger as the best-placed representative of the Zuffenhausen-based sports car brand sixth starting place. 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.
During the first third of the race, the #44 was the best Porsche within striking distance of the leading group for a long time and sometimes took third place. However, around midnight, during a lap, there was contact with an opponent, which resulted in a high-speed spin and a short break for repairs. At the end of the hunt twice around the clock, Menzel / Eriksson / Heinemann / Ragginger were flagged down in tenth place.
The race was even more turbulent for the #33. A contact in the early stages initially cost some time, but after an impressive race to catch up, the nine-eleven was quickly back in the top 15. At around 3:30 a.m., the Falken Porsche was hit again, and another contact occurred when a slower vehicle was being lapped and subsequent crash barrier contact. The end for Bachler / Müller / Picariello.
“Our goal was a top 5 result, which would have been possible given the performance of our cars. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side this time," summarizes Markus Bögner, COO President and Managing Director of Falken Tires Europe GmbH. "Thanks to our partner Schnabl Engineering for using the vehicle and to our 300 satisfied guests, with whom we were able to enjoy an unforgettable race weekend".