Scherer Sport PHX Porsche Dominates Nürburgring 24 Hours Qualifiers
The Scherer Sport PHX Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Patric Niederhauser and Laurens Vanthoor, showcased outstanding performance over the weekend, clinching victories in both qualifying races for the ADAC 24h Nürburgring. The challenging weather conditions, marked by heavy rain and aquaplaning, significantly affected race dynamics.
Race 1 Overview
On Saturday, amid relentless rainfall, Niederhauser and Vanthoor’s Porsche triumphed in a four-hour race, finishing 2.5 minutes ahead of the second-placed Manthey EMA ‘Grello’ 911, piloted by Kévin Estre and Patrick Pilet. The podium was rounded out by Mercedes-AMG’s Fabian Schiller, celebrating his birthday, who partnered with Luca Stolz and Maxime Martin.
Estre claimed pole position earlier in the day, noting, “I had a clear lap and no traffic… A little rain wouldn’t be bad,” foreshadowing the challenging conditions that would unfold. A notable incident involved Julien Andlauer crashing his Falken Porsche early in the race.
Frank Stippler, driving the JUTA Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II, moved from sixth to first early on, only to finish eighth. He reflected on the treacherous conditions: “Just getting to the finish line was a challenge.”
In the closing stages, the leading duo displayed remarkable composure, with Vanthoor humorously admitting, "There are no more difficult conditions in motorsport." Niederhauser echoed the sentiment of a demanding race, highlighting the psychological and physical toll of such adverse weather.
Race 1 Results
- Scherer Sport PHX Porsche 911 GT3 R (Niederhauser/Vanthoor)
- Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R (Estre/Pilet)
- Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Schiller/Stolz/Martin)
Race 2 Overview
In Sunday’s race, conditions worsened as rain returned, yet Niederhauser and Vanthoor demonstrated consistent control to secure their second victory. The Manthey EMA and Falken Motorsports 911s completed the podium once again.
Kévin Estre logged the fastest qualifying lap at 9:11.724 but faced strategy challenges during the race, ultimately finishing third. He commented, “The others were just a bit faster and had a different strategy.”
Behind the leading trio, Fabian Schiller, Maxime Martin, and Luca Stolz clinched fourth, while Daniel Juncadella’s Abt Lamborghini secured fifth.
Key Developments in NLS Standings
The weekend’s results led to significant shifts in the ADAC Nürburgring Endurance Series standings. Teams from Adrenalin Motorsport Team Mainhattan Wheels and FK Performance Motorsport shared the lead following strong performances in both races.
Sven Markert and Kevin Wambach captured their fourth victory of the season in their BMW M240i Racing, while Nick Wüstenhagen’s squad triumphed in the BMW M4 GT4, confirming their competitiveness.
Both races highlighted not only the drivers’ skills but also the strategic complexities inherent in navigating the unpredictable Nordschleife under adverse conditions. As the series progresses, attention now shifts to the upcoming 24-hour race, where similar weather may challenge competitors once again.
