This coming weekend (October 11-13) is the final of the ADAC Racing Weekend 2024. At the Nürburgring, the GTC Race, Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy (STT) and ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup series will go into their final title decision, and the Belcar Historic Cup, which is part of an ADAC Racing Weekend for the first time this season, will also be contested in the Eifel. Two regularity series, the Touring Car & GT Revival and the VFV GLPpro, will also be taking part, thrilling fans with their classic vehicles. As usual, a free livestream will be available again from the Nürburgring on Saturday and Sunday at youtube.com/adacmotorsports. Coverage begins at 9:05 am on Saturday with qualifying for the GT60 powered by Pirelli and at 8:35 am on Sunday when the second GT Sprint qualifying session starts.
Can Luca Arnold stop the GTC protégés?
In the GTC Race, the two sponsored drivers Julian Hanses and Jay Mo Härtling (both Mercedes-AMG GT3) are the favorites for the title. In the GT60 powered by Pirelli, the one-hour race within the GTC Race, they are tied for the lead in the GT3 overall standings, followed by Ivan Peklin and Konstantin Gutsul (both R8 LMS GT3 evo II). The Audi duo are currently 17 points behind the Mercedes pairing. In the GT3 classification of the GT Sprint, the sprint format of the GTC Race, it is much closer, with Härtling leading by just one point ahead of Luca Arnold (Mercedes-AMG GT3). Arnold shares his race car at the Nürburgring again with experienced Marvin Dienst.
Jürgen Bender wants to displace Tudor Tudurachi from first place
Tudor Tudurachi (BMW M4 GT4 G82) comes to the Nürburgring as the leader of the STT standings. The Romanian took the top spot at Spa-Francorchamps and defended it at Assen. But he can't afford to relax just yet. For one thing, Jürgen Bender (Chevrolet Corvette C7 GT3 R) is lurking in second place, just three points behind him, and for another, double points will be awarded at the finale. Henk Thuis, who usually drives a Pumaxs RT, will switch to a BMW Z4 GT3 this coming weekend, which he will share with guest starter Hein Koopman. Klaus Abbelen (Ferrari 296 GT3) is another guest entrant for whom the Nürburgring is a genuine home race. He lives less than ten minutes' drive from the Nürburgring paddock.
Cedric Fuchs vs. Mike Müller
The young drivers contesting the ADAC Touring Car Junior Cup, all of whom drive identical VW up! GTI cars, are guaranteed to provide plenty of excitement. The leader of the standings, Cedric Fuchs, and his closest rival, Mike Müller, are separated by just a single point. Fuchs has won three races so far, Müller four. But Storm Gjerdrum is another driver to watch, having won twice so far – despite having to miss the first four races due to his young age. Maxim Felix Dacher, who is currently third overall and still in with a chance of taking the title, is still waiting for his first victory this year.
Belcar Historic Cup with cars from five decades
The Belcar Historic Cup is traditionally a guest at the ADAC Racing Weekend at the Nürburgring, which takes place in the fall. The Belgians bring over 50 vehicles, built between 1958 and 1999. The Triumph TR3A with Filip Mahieu and Wouter Mahieu at the wheel is the only racer from the 50s, while David Potters' 1999 Peugeot 206 GTI is the youngest model in the field. Between these two vehicles, there are some automotive racing icons from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, including the Ford GT40, BMW M1, Porsche 911 and Opel Calibra.
Regularity competitions offer attractive program highlights at the Nürburgring
Two regularity competitions round off the program in the Eifel. The Touring Car & GT Revival, which was only revived this year, is looking forward to a field of over 20 racing cars, thus confirming the positive development in the comeback season. In the VFV GLPpro, which has existed for much longer, three different timed tests are even necessary due to the large number of participants. In addition to touring cars and GT cars, formula and sports cars are also eligible to compete here.
This is the timetable
The weekend at the Nürburgring begins on Friday at 8:05 am with general test and setup driving, which also concludes the Friday at 5:45 pm. This will give all participants another chance to put the finishing touches in place for the finale. On Saturday, the action starts at 8:05 am with the Belcar Historic Cup free practice session, before the end of the GT60 powered by Pirelli race at 5:35 pm brings the race day to a close. On Sunday, the lights will turn green again at 8:05 a.m., this time for the mandatory training of the second group of VFV GLPpro touring cars and GTs. The end of the second race of the Touring Car & GT Revival at 5:20 p.m. marks the end of Sunday and thus also of the 2024 season of the ADAC Racing Weekend.