22
May
2017
|
07:39 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

Dunlop ready for the ultimate test – Nurburgring 24h

  • 45th ADAC 24-hour Nürburgring race takes place 27/28 May
  • Dunlop is a partner of Audi and Mercedes-AMG in marathon race
  • Phoenix-Audi begins long-distance assault as qualifying race winner
  • Glickenhaus sports prototypes on the attack after a pace-setting qualifying race
  • The BMW M6 GT3 Dunlop Art Car captures fans’ imaginations

Dunlop, the most successful tyre brand in the history of the Nürburgring 24h race, is expecting a strong 2017 race after victory in the qualifying race last month.

The biggest and toughest race in the world will take place over the weekend of 27th/28th May on the legendary Nordschleife.

In the 45th edition of the marathon, the tyre brand is equipping numerous top-class teams that are fighting for the overall victory, especially in the highly contested GT3 class, including teams running the Audi R8 LMS, BMW M6 GT3, and the Mercedes-AMG GT3. The spectacular prototype SCG003C, a project led by the American James Glickenhaus also joins the Dunlop frontrunners for the 24h.

"After the 1-2 success for the Dunlop-shod Audis at the 6-hour qualifying race, we are confident about the performance for this pinnacle of GT races" said Alexander Kühn, Product Manager Dunlop Motorsport EMEA. "But we know, of course, that the Nordschleife writes its own rules every year."

Strong Dunlop presence in the GT3 class

After winning the six-hour qualifying race, the # 5 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS are strong candidates for victory. The team is competing with German stars Frank Stippler, Mike Rockenfeller, Dennis Busch and the Danish Nicolay Møller Madsen. The Dunlop-gripped factory Audi R8 LMS of WRT (# 9) and Land Motorsport (# 29) are also among the favourites to take the prestigious endurance crown. Another Dunlop-Audi is entered by the Car Collection team.

This season Dunlop is a tyre partner to Mercedes-AMG teams at the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The Mercedes-AMG GT3s # 3 of Black Falcon and # 47 of HTP Motorsport have chosen Dunlop, setting an impressive qualifying pace. . On Dunlop tyres, the HTP-Mercedes-AMG GT3 set the fastest lap (8:14.254 min.). In the qualifying race, Dunlop also were the choice of the fastest team, with the Glickenhaus SCG003C setting the fastest race lap with 8:16.846 minutes. One of their two sports prototypes was confidently leading the qualifying race before an accident meant early retirement.

Dunlop-Art-Car: Design by TV star JP Kraemer

Team Walkenhorst Motorsport comes to the Eifel mountains With two striking BMW M6 GT3. The # 100 will once again cause a sensation continuing the long tradition of Dunlop Art Cars in 24h races such as Le Mans and Nürburgring.

The design "Crystal Flake" in Dunlop colours is a stunning design, created by TV star and artist Jean Pierre Kraemer and was voted for in an online competition.

Winning Aston Martin Partnership extended

Last year, Dunlop and Aston Martin partnered to win the FIA World Endurance Championship together. This successful technical collaboration has been extended to the 24h with Dunlop providing tyres for their Vantage GT8.

Dunlop racing in numerous classes

The 24h is famous for its huge and diverse grid. Aside from the front-runners for overall victory, numerous teams have chosen to race on Dunlop tyres. Dunlop supports the team including musician Smudo and former DTM driver Thomas von Löwis of Menar. The "Die Fantastischen Vier" front-man and his team are racing a Porsche Cayman (# 320), which is powered by E20 alternative fuel.

The Tuning Academy team competes with its new Audi A5 Quattro (# 107).

This year, Volker Strycek will compete in the 24 hour race for the 40th time - and thus becomes the driver with the most starts. The record-breaker starts this year’s epic with his daughter Lena and son Robin in a Dunlop-shod Opel Astra J OPC (# 177). In addition, all participants of the BMW M235i Racing Cup racers and Opel Astra Cup cars in the class SP3T drive on Dunlop.

The final Dunlop entry list  will be updated on Thursday and available at motorsport.dunlop.eu​​​