Historic Win for Alternative-Fuel Vehicle at NLS Light Race
In a landmark achievement, Nico Otto and Timo Hochwind secured the first overall victory for an alternative-fuel vehicle at the NLS Light race, held Saturday with the Max Kruse Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport. This event marked not only a significant win for the team but also the first for Volkswagen in the 49-year history of the ADAC Nürburgring Endurance Series.
The new-for-2025 format excluded top-class GT cars, aiming to foster grassroots participation. The Golf also took pole position, marking the first win from any vehicle equipped with an automatic gearbox in the Series.
Race Results:
- Max Kruse Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport – Nico Otto, Timo Hochwind (1st place)
- Plusline Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 – Philipp Gresek, Richard Gresek (2nd place)
- Toyo Tires Toyota Supra GT4 – Kazuto Kotaka, Miki Koyama (3rd place)
The race featured 56 entries with 53 starters and 41 finishers across various NLS touring car and production classes.
NLS Sports Director Christian Vormann commended Max Kruse Racing and Volkswagen, stating, “This is an important signal for the ADAC Nürburgring Endurance Series and grassroots racing. We will continue to drive this important topic forward.”
Key Moments:
The four-hour race culminated in a dramatic final phase. Although pole-sitters Benjamin Leuchter and Heiko Hammel led for much of the race, a power supply failure 15 minutes from the end forced their retirement. This allowed the Max Kruse Racing team to clinch victory after executing a strategic fuel conservation plan, requiring one fewer pit stop.
Hochwind reflected, “I still can’t quite believe it… the car was perfect today.” Otto added, “We tried to save fuel safely, and in the end, that strategy paid off.”
The Greseks maintained competitive pace, with Philipp even leading for a lap before falling behind the rapid Golfs. Philipp expressed, “A class win and second overall is simply fantastic,” while Richard echoed the sentiment of a superb day.
The fight for third place was equally fierce, with Carrie Schreiner’s team facing a penalty that adjusted their positions. Nevertheless, the all-female team of WS Racing finished fourth, marking their best result of the season.
In class victories, Fabian Pirrone, Jan Ullrich, and Ulf Steffens triumphed in the BMW M240i Racing Cup. Schmickler Performance clinched the Cup 3 class in the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring.
VLN CEO Mike Jäger noted a positive atmosphere around the NLS Light premiere, emphasizing family participation and audience satisfaction. He acknowledged the desire for greater participation but concluded that the event met expectations.
NLS Light Result:
- 1st: Max Kruse Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport
- 2nd: Plusline Motorsport BMW M4 GT4
- 3rd: Toyo Tires Toyota Supra GT4
The NLS Light race is poised to reshape the future of grassroots racing, signaling a commitment to sustainability and community engagement in motorsports.
