The big prologue for the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring from 26 to 29 May ended with race wins for BMW and Mercedes-AMG. In the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers, the advantage was long on the side of the BMW teams, who dominated the action with the brand new BMW M4 GT3. Augusto Farfus in the #99 BMW from Rowe Racing and Christian Krognes in the cockpit of Walkenhorst Motorsport (#101) took pole positions in the top qualifying sessions for the two 3h races on Saturday and Sunday, before the first race win on Saturday went to the BMW Junior Team (#72). However, the eventful Race 2 was then decided in favour of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #3 of Mercedes-AMG Team Getspeed. Teams from Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche were also among the front runners in the two separate races. The omens for an exciting 50th anniversary edition of the 24h Nürburgring are therefore excellent. If you want to buy your ticket in advance, you can do so at the Nürburgring ticket shop.

With a new format, the 24h Qualifiers convinced everyone involved this year. Two top qualifying sessions and two races, plus qualifying sessions and warm-ups provided plenty of driving time on the Nordschleife - and thus created the best conditions to perfectly prepare for the longest race of the year on the longest and most difficult race track in the world. A highlight for many drivers was the second top qualifying session, in which all cars of the weekend were eligible to start.

BMW teams with strong performance
The BMW representatives leave the Ring with a broad chest, having dominated the action at the 24h Qualifiers from Friday to Sunday lunchtime. Rowe BMW driver Augusto Farfus, who took pole position in the first top qualifying session and was second on the podium in Race 1 behind the BMW Junior Team (#72), sums up: "The race on Saturday was great, a bit difficult at the end due to the rain. I'm proud that we finished on the podium again and I'm also happy for the Juniors that they won. BMW has done an incredible job with the junior development." The 2010 24h overall winner also helped train the junior drivers as a temporary teammate and laughs, "Maybe we even showed them a bit too much. They may be called juniors, but in terms of the last two years, they are among the most experienced drivers here on the Nordschleife. They have speed and talent, there is nothing more to teach them."

The young BMW drivers also showed this on Sunday when they took the lead after both Rowe cars and also the pole-setters from BMW Team Walkenhorst Motorsport (#101) were slowed down by accidents or technical problems. However, a time penalty for exceeding the speed limit in a Code 60 zone then turned the close race in favour of the chasing Mercedes-AMG. GetSpeed had previously impressed with a consistent performance, at times even taking the double lead with both entry cars, and was thus deemed the deserved winner ahead of the BWM Juniors. "Great," beamed Maxi Götz, who brought the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #3 home after three hours. "I can't believe it yet. Even though we were flagged off in second place and only made it to the front because of the penalty: In a race like this, you first have to stay faultless, and that's why we're right at the top of the podium."

ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring with big anniversary at the end of May
In less than three weeks, the highlight of the motorsport season will be on the agenda at the Nordschleife. The ADAC TotalEnergies will celebrate its 50th edition on Ascension weekend (26 - 29 May 2022) with a huge programme. In addition to the crème de la crème of the Nordschleife teams in the title race, there will then be two rounds of the FIA Touring Car World Cup (FIA WTCR) on the circuit as a second highlight. BMW M GmbH celebrates its 50th birthday with a BMW M Race of Legends, to which many world-famous drivers are invited. The programme on the track is rounded off by the historic races of the Touring Car Legends and the ADAC 24h Classic. Apart from the track, well-known highlights such as the Adenauer Racing Day (Wednesday), big autograph session (Thursday) or the Falken Drift Show (Friday evening) will attract visitors, but also a meeting of the former 24h winners and a large exhibition of 24h cars from five decades will be on offer.