The Nürburgring 24-Hour Race: Your Ultimate Guide from Hyundai Driving Experience

Hyundai Elantra TCR Nürburgring 24-hour race

Experience the thrill of one of motorsport's most gruelling endurance challenges at the Nürburgring 24h race, where around 130 touring cars and GT vehicles across 20+ classes battle for glory on one of the world's most demanding tracks. Hyundai teams consistently shine here, as demonstrated in the 2024 race. Discover why over 200,000 passionate fans transform the Nürburgring into a motorsport mecca each year, and learn how you can get your own taste of the action with our Track Experience.

History of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring

Since 1970, this legendary race has pushed drivers to their limits on various Nürburgring configurations. Today, competitors at the Nürburgring 24h endurance race tackle a gruelling 25.378 km combination of the iconic Nordschleife and modern Grand Prix circuit. Created by the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB), this event uniquely unites amateurs and professionals in pursuit of podium glory.

The Nürburgring 24h race showcases touring cars and GT machines, offering ambitious drivers the chance to test their mettle in endurance racing outside of professional series. ADAC Nordrhein organises the 24h event, with RAVENOL serving as the 2024 title sponsor.

How does a 24-hour race at the Nürburgring work?

So, when is the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring? The schedule for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is always similar: the race takes place on a weekend in May or June, usually from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. The Nürburgring 24h race comes alive mid-week with the "Adenauer Racing Day" event (unfortunately cancelled in 2024), an exhibition run through the centre of Adenau, where teams unveil their cars and drivers.

Thursday and Friday see intense qualifying sessions, culminating in the nail-biting top-30 shootout. On Saturday, the grid forms on the famous start/finish straight, with the green flag dropping at 15:30. Three waves of cars surge forward behind the safety car, kick-starting 24 hours of non-stop racing action. The chequered flag falls exactly 24 hours later, crowning the survivors of this ultimate test of skill and endurance.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N at Nürburgring 24-hour race

Who can take part in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring?

To take on the 'Green Hell,' drivers at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring must be at least 18 years old and hold the appropriate international racing license (D-Circuit for category B vehicles, C-Circuit for category A). The coveted DMSB Nordschleife Permit is also required, with courses available at the track in the lead-up to the event.
First-timers and those returning after a 5-year break must prove their mettle with recent endurance racing experience. Teams can field up to four drivers per car, with each allowed to compete in a maximum of two vehicles. Stints are limited to 3 hours, with mandatory rest periods between driver changes.

Why do fans love the Nürburgring 24-hour race?

The 24-hour endurance race at Nürburgring is more than just a race – it's a festival of speed that drew over 230,000 enthusiasts in 2024. The circuit transforms into a sprawling campsite a week before the green flag, offering unparalleled access to the on-track action.
The "ring boulevard" buzzes with excitement, featuring the title sponsor's towering Ferris wheel and Hyundai's action-packed fan zone. From autograph sessions to pit walks, there's non-stop entertainment at the Nürburgring 24h race. The highlight? A tyre-smoking drift show on the Müllenbachschleife that gets every petrolhead's heart racing with smoking tyres, spectacular agent turns and perfect vehicle control.

Tickets for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring

Given the numerous highlights, loyal fans from all over the globe pilgrimage to the Nürburgring 24h race every year. Weekend passes for the 2024 event were available from just €65 (camping fees extra), with day tickets starting at an accessible €34.* While 2025 tickets aren't on sale yet, you can register now for exclusive information on VIP tickets and be first in line when sales open!

*For more detailed information and to purchase tickets, visit the official website at this link.

Hyundai Elantra TCR Nürburgring 24 race at night

How the 24-hour Nürburgring race went in 2024

The 2024 edition of the ADAC 24 Hours of Nürburgring showcased 127 cars of 17 brands and 493 drivers from 42 countries who battled for the best positions in the qualifying races. Near-series touring cars competed against extremely powerful GT3 vehicles.

The internationally successful TCR series was also on the grid. The innovative AT class provided a glimpse into the future of alternative fuels and drivetrains. The participating riders included everything from ambitious amateurs to experienced professionals. It is this unique diversity that makes the race so special.

The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring 2024 will probably go down as one of the shortest in the history of this spectacular event. Due to dense fog, the race had to be interrupted for 14 hours from Saturday night until midday on Sunday. However, as visibility was also impaired on some sections of the track on Sunday, the race was finally stopped after five laps behind the safety car. Despite all the enthusiasm for motorsport, the safety of the drivers comes first.

Hyundai Elantra TCR in the pits. Hyundai Elantra TCR on the track at night. Hyundai Stand at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Who won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring?

The 2024 Nürburgring 24-hour race saw 127 drivers competing across 23 classes, resulting in an extensive list of victorious drivers. Hyundai fielded teams and cars in two classes: the TCR class featured three teams from Europe, North America and China, each piloting a Hyundai Elantra TCR. In the VT2 Front class, the Hyundai Driving Experience team competed with the Hyundai i30 Fastback N Cup Car. Overall, Hyundai secured a top 10 finish and clinched victory in the TCR class, setting some of the fastest laps of the 2024 race.

Three teams successful with the Hyundai Elantra TCR

Despite challenging track conditions, Hyundai teams dominated the top positions at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The quartet of Harold Gottsacker (USA), Mason Filippi (USA), Mark Wilkins (CAN) and Bryson Morris (USA) crossed the finish line first in their Hyundai Elantra TCR after 44 laps, securing Hyundai's fourth consecutive victory.

In a historic first, Hyundai Motorsport entered three teams, achieving a class victory sweep. Team Europe, comprising defending champions Mikel Azcona, Marc Basseng and Manuel Lauck, claimed second place in the TCR class. Team China – Hongwei Cao, Zhang Zhendong, Rainey He and Andy Yan – completed the podium, finishing third in their Elantra N TCR (car number 832).

Hyundai i30 N on the Nürburgring track. Hyundai Elantra TCR. Hyundai N Sport Cars at the Nürburgring.

Hyundai Driving Experience: In the fast lane with the Hyundai i30 N

The Hyundai Driving Experience team aimed to defend their VT2 Front class title at the Nürburgring 24h race. Michael Bohrer's strong opening stint initially put the N Cup Car in the lead. However, a puncture forced Jens Dralle to pit, causing a temporary setback. Marcus Willhardt and Gyumin Kim fought back to secure second place before adverse conditions led to the race's early cancellation.

How much does a ride on the Nürburgring cost?

Participating in the Nürburgring 24-hour race involves significant costs that go well beyond basic entry fees. While the entry fee paid to the race organiser (ADAC) reached up to €7,950 in 2024, this figure is just a fraction of the total expense. The cost per car and driver are higher, with costs per seat typically ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 EUR, depending on the team and level of competition. Aspiring participants should be prepared for a substantial financial investment to compete in this prestigious event.

However, you can experience the thrill of the track for considerably less!

Passengers at the Hyundai Track Experience

The Hyundai Driving Experience offers a range of thrilling options for motorsport enthusiasts. The Nordschleife Track Experience is specially designed for those looking to master the legendary 'Green Hell', providing expert instruction on navigating this challenging circuit. For a broader experience, track driving sessions, safety exercises with experienced instructors, and pace car laps on world-famous circuits are available from just €999, including a comprehensive hospitality package.

If you prefer to experience the excitement as a passenger, you can book the N Taxi through Hyundai Driving Experience. This allows you to tackle the Nordschleife with a professional driver, and you can even bring up to two additional passengers along for the ride.

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