24H Nürgurgring

The 24H Nürburgring represents the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season. This endurance race takes place at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. The 2026 edition marks the 54th running of this legendary competition, officially known as the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. The event combines professional motorsports with a unique festival atmosphere that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators who camp along the track.

The Circuit

The Nürburgring 24 Hours uses a combined circuit that merges the historic Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix track. This configuration measures 25.378 kilometers and features 73 turns. The track includes 33 left-hand corners and 40 right-hand turns. The elevation changes more than 300 meters from the lowest point to the highest point.

Scottish racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart gave the circuit its famous nickname "Green Hell" due to its challenging nature. The track winds through the Eifel mountains in Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate. The complex can accommodate 150,000 spectators. When racing events are not scheduled, sections of the Nordschleife open to the public for tourist drives with road-legal vehicles.

Intercontinental GT Challenge Competition

The 24H Nürburgring serves as a crucial round in the Intercontinental GT Challenge calendar. The SRO Motorsports Group organizes this five-round championship series. Six manufacturers compete in the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge: reigning champions BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, Chevrolet, and Ford. The schedule avoids back-to-back 24-hour races to provide logistical benefits for teams and manufacturers.

Race Classes and Participants

The race field is limited to 150 cars. More than 600 drivers typically participate, with teams of two, three, or four drivers sharing each car. The top class features FIA GT3 cars, designated as SP9, which compete for overall victory in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. SRO GT4 cars compete in the SP10 class. Additional categories include various "24h-Special" classes (SP1 to SP8) differentiated by engine displacement, plus production car classes.

The starting field combines professional factory-backed teams with amateur racers. This mix creates a diverse competition across 20 different classes. Both professional and amateur competitors share the same track, which requires careful management during the race.

Technical Regulations

The event follows a combination of international GT regulations and specific Nürburgring rules. This approach accommodates the broad range of machinery, from highly developed GT racers to modified production cars. The 2026 event uses a multi-stage top qualifying format. The fastest cars from earlier sessions advance to determine pole position in Top Qualifying 3.

The race start is organized in speed-group waves to manage congestion on the lengthy circuit. The extensive safety infrastructure includes 960 marshals positioned around the Nordschleife. A race control team of 35 members oversees operations. Medical services comprise 100 medics and paramedics, eight emergency vehicles, and a fully equipped medical center. Ninety firefighters with various vehicles stand ready throughout the event.

Event History

The 24 Hours Nürburgring began in 1970. Hans-Joachim Stuck and Clemens Schickentanz won the inaugural race in a BMW 2002. The race was cancelled in 1974 and 1975 due to the oil crisis. Another cancellation occurred in 1983 during major rebuilding of the Nürburgring, which included construction of the new Grand Prix track. The race has run every year since 1984.

BMW holds the record for most manufacturer victories with 21 wins. Porsche follows with 13 wins. Three drivers share the record for most individual overall wins: Timo Bernhard, Pedro Lamy, and Marcel Tiemann each have five victories. Hans-Joachim Stuck holds the record for the longest time between two victories for the same driver, with a 28-year gap between his 1970 and 1998 wins.

Race Characteristics

The 24H Nürburgring at the Nürburgring circuit presents unique challenges. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Eifel mountains, affecting race strategy. The length and complexity of the circuit require teams to maintain careful communication with their drivers. The race demands both speed and consistency over the full duration.

The Intercontinental GT Challenge points system rewards manufacturers and drivers who perform well across all five championship rounds. The Nürburgring round often plays a decisive role in championship outcomes. Teams must balance the pursuit of victory with the need to finish and score points.

The combination of professional GT3 competition and the historic Nordschleife creates a test unlike any other race in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Teams and drivers who master this circuit demonstrate exceptional skill and endurance. The 2026 edition promises to continue this tradition of demanding motorsports competition.