Celebrating a decade of racing Porches at Nordschleife, which started ten years ago with just one Porsche 997 GT3 R, tyre brand Falken is entering two latest generation 911 GT3 Rs in both the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and 24-Hour race this season.
The Butzbach-based specialist Schnabl Engineering will continue to run the Falken Motorsports team, having supported the manufacturer since 2011.
Motorsports manager Stefanie Olbertz says:
“Falken is delighted to confirm its intention to return to motorsport in 2021. 2020 was a very difficult time for fans, the NLS series and motorsport industry as a whole, and we hope that this year, by fielding two cars, we can entertain the enthusiasts, marshals and support the sector that has been hit so hard. The NLS did an incredible job to ensure that we could race at all in 2020 and we want thank the organisers for putting in place procedures that enable the sport to continue.”
There was tremendous fan engagement in the shortened 2020 season and with both cars running smoothly right to the finish at last year’s 24-Hour race, Falken was keen to return with the 911 once again this year.
Olbertz adds:
“Our relationship with Porsche remains strong, with excellent support trackside. Our fans have grown very fond of the teal and blue 911 since we raced our first one in Europe in 2011. It was therefore a natural choice to continue with Porsche and Schnabl this season.”
Following last year’s disruption to the race season due to the pandemic, Falken plans to enter both 911s in seven rounds of the NLS series, with both cars taking part in all the races that precede the 24-Hour race, currently scheduled for the 3rd to 6th June, starting with the ADAC Westfalenfahrt on the 27th March.
Due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions, the team have decided to test solely on the Nordschleife as opposed to its traditional roll out at Portimao. Olbertz concludes:
“Given the current situation, it makes most sense to stay in Germany and we will be present with both cars at the NLS official test on the 20th March.”
Falken will announce the driver line up for the team next month.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel, a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers, professional photographer and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Falken Tyre Europe
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