In front of an estimated 235,000 spectators, the N°3 MICHELIN-equipped factory AUDI (Team Phoenix) of BASSENG/HAASE/STIPPLER/WINKELHOCK won the 40th edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The result saw MICHELIN come out on top after a particularly fierce battle between the six tyre brands entered for the German long-distance race. The French tyre firm provided tyres for 51 of the 171 cars racing at the Nürburgring this weekend.
After securing six consecutive wins between 2004 and 2009, plus another in 2011 with the Team MANTHEY-run Porsche 911 GT3 R, MICHELIN provided a further illustration of the technical strengths of its tyres at one of the world’s most punishing 24-hours races and at one of motor racing’s most challenging circuits, the infamous Nürburgring-Nordschleife (25.378km, 73 turns).
The weather is frequently unsettled in Germany’s Eifel Mountains, making tyre choice particularly delicate. However, the 2012 Nürburgring 24 Hours took place in essentially mild conditions and competitors only needed to run MICHELIN ‘wet weather’ rubber for a period of two hours on Sunday morning. Strategy consequently focused on fitting the ideal compound at the right time as a function of the varying temperatures, notably during the hours of darkness.
For the 40th edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, MICHELIN provided tyres for the AUDI R8 LMS Ultras entered in the SP9 class by Team Phoenix, Raeder Motorsport, Speedhunters.com Team and Mamerow Racing. The French company also supplied the Manthey Racing and Wochenspiegel Team Manthey PORSCHE 911 GT3 Rs, as well as the Vita4one Racing Team and Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 GT3s. The McLAREN MP4 GT3 tended by Gemballa Racing rounded off the list of cars competing in the SP9 class on MICHELIN tyres. A high number of privateers competing in most of the different classes also chose to race on MICHELINs.
“MICHELIN had three aims at the Nürburgring,” noted Serge GRISIN, manager of MICHELIN’s four-wheel motorsport programmes. “Our first objective was to win against the six other tyre brands here and in front of the 235,000 spectators. Secondly, we wanted to collect valuable data for the ongoing development of our endurance racing tyres and, thirdly, we wanted to provide our customers with the best possible service. We met all three objectives, so that was very satisfying. I would also like congratulate our partner AUDI on its win today against some very fierce competition!”
Philippe MUSSATI (manager of MICHELIN’s Customer Competition Department): “The ‘Green Hell’ is a notoriously complex circuit, which is why our customers are so demanding. They wanted tyres that combined performance and versatility for the changeable track conditions with consistency over stints of between 8 and 10 laps (250km) on the same set. MICHELIN provided them with tyres that met their expectations, as well as an impeccable service at the track staffed by 45 fitters, technicians and engineers.”
On this year’s endurance racing calendar, the German marathon was scheduled before the Le Mans 24 Hours, which provided MICHELIN with a further opportunity to prepare for the French classic. Indeed, the tyres raced by most of the GT3 cars at the Nürburgring were of the same size as those used by the LM GTE cars at Le Mans (front: 30/65-18 and 30/68-18 / rear: 31/71-18).
Source : Michelin