EEMNES — With 130 cars on the grid, over 450 drivers and an expected crowd of around 200,000 spectators, the Nürburgring 24 Hours ranks among Europe’s largest motorsport events.
“You simply can’t compare that race to anything else, so unbelievably cool,” Tom Coronel said. For the Dutch driver, participating in the German classic for the 15th time, the race on the Nordschleife is the highlight of his season. Coronel will be racing the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with starting number 127, run by the renowned Max Kruse Racing team, owned by the former player of the German national football team.
Coronel’s teammates are fellow Dutchmen Jan Jaap van Roon and Paul Meijer, as well as Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro.
The 24-hour race will be run on the 25.378 kilometers long combination of the Nordschleife and the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit.
“The most beautiful track on planet Earth,” as Coronel puts it. “Everything there is just ten times more intense than on other circuits. Also because you have to deal with a lot of factors. The weather is often changeable and because of the length of the circuit, it can just happen that it is bone dry on one side and pouring down on the other.
“Snow, hail, we have experienced it all! And then of course driving in the dark, but also the dense traffic with 130 cars on track and big differences in speed between them, from powerful GT3 machinery to a nimble Dacia.”
The fans are another special aspect of the Nürburgring 24-hour race, making an important contribution to the unique atmosphere.
“These are often present days in advance and come with the most fantastic set-ups around the track. Complete scaffolding, swimming pools, refrigerators, televisions, sofas, they really bring everything with them,” Coronel gives an impression. “And I can’t even image the hectolitres of beer that are consumed, and the barbecues sometimes stay on day and night. It’s also nice to see that more and more Dutch motorsport fans are coming.
“Unfortunately, there is no parade to Adenau this time because of roadworks, but there is a big autograph session, for which we have also had special autograph cards made.”
Coronel emphasizes that nothing was left to chance in the preparation, stating the car is nearly brand new, including the engine and gearbox.
“Last week we did a shakedown on the Zolder circuit, and everything has been run in for 300 kilometers,” Coronel concluded.
SPEED SPORT 1, The Live Racing Network, will present live flag-to- flag coverage of the ADAC Ravenol 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The broadcast will be available free via its website, apps and on select free ad-supported television platforms including Amazon Freevee, Sling Freestream, LocalNow, SportsTV and more.
