ADAC RAVENOL 24 Hours of Nürburgring: Mercedes-AMG claimed overall victory on BILSTEIN
Mercedes-AMG triumphs in the ‘Green Hell’: At the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the #80 RAVENOL Mercedes-AMG GT3, equipped with BILSTEIN shock absorbers, celebrated overall victory. Starting from 25th on the grid, Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller and Maxime Martin fought their way to the front over the full distance to secure overall victory in the world’s toughest endurance race. Numerous teams also put their trust in BILSTEIN in the other classes. In front of a record crowd of 352,000 fans, the 24-hour race thus served as a special demonstration of BILSTEIN’s performance, precision and reliability under extreme conditions.
Following a less-than-ideal qualifying session, the No. 80 RAVENOL Mercedes-AMG GT3 started from 25th on the grid but steadily worked its way up the field during the race. Equipped with BILSTEIN EVO RT high-performance shock absorbers, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 remained fast, precise and predictable over the distance. These are crucial factors on a track as demanding as the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
SP 9 class featured an exceptionally strong field of 40 GT3 race cars
The #80 RAVENOL Mercedes-AMG GT3 delivered a consistently strong performance throughout the race, took the lead in the final stages and secured an impressive overall victory.
For BILSTEIN, this triumph alongside long-standing partner Mercedes-AMG once again underlines the successful collaboration in motorsport – and at the same time proves that performance on the Nordschleife is decided over 24 hours.
Fabian Schiller: “We started from 25th on the grid, which isn’t exactly ideal. But the 24h Nürburgring isn’t always about your starting position. Thanks to Maro’s strong stints, we were able to work our way right up the field. When I got into the car, it started to rain. The decisive rain shower of the race – and we made the absolutely right tyre decision.”
For Maro Engel, the success at the Eifel classic also had a special personal meaning, not least because of his long-standing association with BILSTEIN: “This is my second victory here at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring – and my second victory with BILSTEIN suspension. Thank you very much for the support. The car was fantastic, the handling was brilliant. I’m just incredibly happy to have won this legendary race again.”
Challenging weather and track conditions
The “Green Hell” once again lived up to its name: unpredictable conditions, rain showers, heavy traffic and technical problems for several top teams meant that the battle for overall victory remained wide open for a long time. Changing weather and track conditions made for a difficult opening phase, during which several top cars were knocked out of the battle for the lead. Among those affected were the Manthey Porsche #911 “Grello” with Kevin Estre, the Kondo Ferrari #45 with Thierry Vermeulen, which had been leading at times, and the HRT Ford #64 with Arjun Maini.
Mercedes-AMG was not spared either. The #26 PROsport Mercedes-AMG, the #47 KCMG Mercedes-AMG and the #11 Schnitzelalm Mercedes-AMG, which had been on course for a top-10 finish, were all forced to retire from the race.
Double victory in the SP 4T class
BILSTEIN also achieved strong results outside the top class. In the SP 4T class, for example, BILSTEIN secured a one-two finish: the #88 Subaru WRX from Subaru Tecnica International took the class win, with the #50 VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h from Max Kruse Racing finishing in second place.
BILSTEIN Performance: from GT3 cars to production-based touring cars
On the Nordschleife in particular, suspension technology is one of the key factors in performance. High kerbs, rapid load changes, long stretches of full throttle and varying grip conditions place demands on the suspension system throughout the entire race. BILSTEIN racing suspension systems and shock absorbers are developed precisely for these demands: maximum precision, consistent damping force and handling that drivers can rely on even after 24 hours of racing.
The overall victory and the one-two finish in the SP 4T class demonstrate the wide-ranging use of BILSTEIN technology in international motorsport. From GT3 cars in the top class to production-based touring cars, teams rely on damper solutions that combine performance and durability. The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring thus once again proved to be a successful endurance test under real racing conditions.
For BILSTEIN, success in the Green Hell is more than just a single result. It stands for close collaboration with teams and drivers – from intensive set-up work and extensive testing to the meticulous development of every single suspension detail. Because overall victory is only possible when trust, driving feel and performance come together consistently over 24 hours under extreme conditions.
What counts over 24 hours on the Nordschleife also provides the basis for BILSTEIN’s performance products for the aftermarket: consistent damper performance, durability, precise feedback and reliable control for that authentic BILSTEIN driving experience.
