The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring stands for thrilling motorsport action on the most beautiful race track in the world. But it is not only the actual 24-hour race that is exciting, the sporting supporting program also ensures an extremely entertaining time: current and historic racing cars, popular sport in the best sense and exciting drift action at the Falken Drift Show await visitors on the Corpus Christi weekend (30 May to 2 June). And as befits this racing festival, there is something to experience in all areas of the legendary event site.

ADAC 24h Classic with a gigantic starting field
For many visitors, the ADAC 24h Classic race is a highlight of the weekend in its own right. In this fast-paced homage to the more than 50-year history of the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, historic racing cars follow in the footsteps of the endurance classic. As was the case for the first time last year, the actual race is scheduled for Saturday morning: three hours of thrilling scenes with legendary cars - just the right accompaniment for breakfast and as a prelude to the race day with the start of the 24h Nürburgring at 4:00 pm as the highlight.

The 24h Classic is not only very popular with spectators. The organizers of the historic racing spectacle announced well before the closing date for entries: Nothing is left. With 210 vehicles and several racing cars on the waiting list, the maximum permitted by the track license for this race has been reached. Spectators can therefore look forward to a great and exciting starting field with numerous automotive highlights from the two participating racing series. The Youngtimer Trophy, which provides the majority of the participants, stands for timeless touring car and GT classics that are on the starting grid here. From the NSU TT and the classic "dog bone" Ford Escort to the Porsche 911 RSR, everything is represented here. One newcomer is likely to capture the hearts of fans right from the start: the legendary Beckmann-Opel Manta competed in the 24h until last year and is finally moving into the historic vehicle camp this year. The Historic Championship 81 (HC '81), Germany's oldest historic racing series, will make an important contribution to the starting field. The 30 entries also include many Porsche 911 RSRs and STs, as well as Alfa Romeos, BMW M1s, Lancia Flavias and VW Golf 1s.

In the footsteps of the DTM
The huge field of touring car legends is also a tribute to 24-hour history. Almost 50 (!) of the classic racing touring cars and GT sports cars from the seventies to nineties with their special focus on historic DTM vehicles are reminiscent of those years when this first league of German touring cars held their races as part of the 24h supporting program. Today, however, the participants no longer race around the 25 km long circuit, but stay on the Grand Prix course. But there is all the more action, as the series holds three half-hour races at the Nürburgring 24 Hours: From Thursday to Saturday, it's "Ring frei" once a day for the forefathers of today's DTM generation.

Cup and Touring Car Trophy
The Cup and Touring Car Trophy, which is part of the 24h Nürburgring program for the second time this year, offers a special kind of motorsport mix. More than 35 cars from various cups and racing series, including the WTCC, will compete in the two races on Thursday and Friday on the Grand Prix circuit. It will be the second race weekend of the season after the successful season opener in Hockenheim. Jesco Kaczmarek (Porsche 997GT3 Cup) comes to the Eifel as the championship leader. In the battle for victory, he will primarily have to contend with the drivers of the six Porsche 911s from the 996 and 997 series mentioned above, especially last year's winner Mike Münch. However, the BMW faction with former champion Sascha Faath and Heiko Hammel, who is also known from the NLS, will also want to have a say in the overall victory. The field also includes a number of TCR cars as well as entrants with Mini and Renault Clio vehicles - a colorful field that promises plenty of racing and top entertainment.

Four hours of pure Nordschleife racing to kick things off
The motorsport kick-off on Thursday morning is traditionally provided by the Rundstrecken Challenge Nürburgring. From 9:10 a.m., the large starting field of the popular mass sports series will take to the Nordschleife for the performance test. Although this is a fast-paced event, the diverse vehicles do not compete directly for positions, but mainly against the clock. Target time and best time laps alternate, the evaluation of which only leads to a list of results at the end. So far this season, the duo Julian Reeh / Sascha Steinhardt have best managed the balancing act of mastering the 20 km long track in the RCN version quickly, in a controlled manner and as accurately as possible: at the season opener as part of the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers in April, Reeh prevailed in the Porsche 997 GT3 against veteran Ralf Schall and drove home the first overall victory for the Porsche team. After winning the second race of the season at the end of April, the two drivers, who share the car, are now also the favorites for the 24h.

Falken Drift Show
Friday evening at the 24h Nürburgring is a highlight of its own kind. After the fastest drivers of the weekend have decided the pole position and best grid positions among themselves in the top qualifying session from 5:30 p.m., it's time for the evening's motorsport. As befits a festival, there is more to experience than just a single stage: While the gates to the pit lane open at the start/finish and fans can collect autographs on the pit walk and take a stroll where normally only teams and racing cars are allowed to go, the Falken Drift Show takes place in the Müllenbachschleife. The in-house drift team of the Japanese tire manufacturer and important 24-hour partner Falken will then take turns with other "drifters" to conjure up the most spectacular drift angles on the track. This fun, which thousands of fans don't miss out on every year, is a highlight of the weekend in its own right and the exuberant finale to a packed day of motorsport.