The Nürburgring Endurance Series turns into the home straight on Saturday (5.11.) with the last race of the season. However, only 94 starters have been registered, nine of them GT3 cars.
The champions have already been crowned: Sindre Setsaas, Daniel Zils and Oskar Sandberg made everything clear at the last round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). At the finale this weekend (November 5th), the 46th NIMEX DMV 4h race, the title of the adrenaline trio finally becomes official.
Phoenix with a chance of a speed trophy
Nevertheless, there are still a few decisions to be made. For example the fight for the NLS Speed trophy. This ranking among the registered teams rewards those who have achieved a finish in the top 20 overall in a race. The two Audi R8 LMS fielded by Phoenix Racing still have a chance here.
Overall, the autumn weather only lured nine GT3 cars, including the two Phoenix racers, to the Eifel. The entire starting field consists of 94 vehicles. One reason: The final was not planned that late in the year and is always a risk in terms of weather. The date was postponed to the beginning of November only because the second NLS run had to be canceled due to bad weather.
Porsche 911 GT3 R back at the start
If you look at the highlights in the starting field, the new Porsche 911 GT3 R once again stands out. This time it is used by the Italian team Dinamic Motorsport and is equipped with Pirelli tyres. Matteo Cairoli and Julien Andlauer turn the steering wheel.
This means that the GT3 racer, which has to start in the SP-X class because it does not yet have a homologation, is now on the third different tire make after Michelin at Manthey and Falken at Falken Motorsport. That was part of Porsche's plan to give customers as much experience as possible.
Small group of favorites
But the new 911 will not have a say in overall victory, because the special regulations with time handicaps deliberately prevent this option in order to ensure equal opportunities. The two Phoenix Audis from Schramm/Giermaziak and Stippler/Kolb, who are among the regulars on the podium, are more likely to come into question.
The Landgraf-Mercedes with Trefz/Assenheimer could also drive onto the podium. The team recently won the ADAC GT Masters championship. Walkenhorst Motorsport with the BMW M4 GT3 and Trogen/Krognes are also among the favourites. You should also keep an eye on the Huber-Porsche from Menzel/Fetzer.
Other well-known names, but more of a junior squad, who signed up with Team Four Motors Bioconcept Car: Porsche Carrera Cup Germany Champion Laurin Heinrich and formula specialist David Beckmann, as well as the twin daughters of ex-DTM driver Fritz Kreutzpointner, Alesia and Jacqueline .
