BMW M Motorsport claimed a record-extending 21st overall win at the ADAC Ravenol 24 Hours of Nürburgring, while MINI’s stellar comeback secured second in class — a standout weekend for both brands in the Green Hell.
The 53rd running of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring lived up to its legendary reputation, offering intense racing, emotional comebacks, and a record crowd of 280,000 fans at the infamous “Green Hell.” Known as one of the most gruelling endurance races in the world, this year’s edition not only delivered drama on the track but also marked a historic moment for BMW and MINI, who left a significant mark on the results sheet.
BMW M Motorsport celebrated its 21st overall victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with the #98 BMW M4 GT3 EVO of ROWE Racing taking the chequered flag. Starting from 17th on the grid, the quartet of Kelvin van der Linde, Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn, and Raffaele Marciello overcame a red-flag interruption caused by a power outage to mount an extraordinary comeback. A particularly aggressive restart by van der Linde catapulted the team into podium contention within just two laps. In the final hours, Farfus moved into the lead, and although the car finished second on the road, a post-race penalty handed to the leading Porsche secured the victory for BMW.
This win marks van der Linde’s third Nürburgring 24 Hours triumph (following successes in 2017 and 2022) and reinforces BMW’s reputation in endurance racing. For ROWE Racing, the result underlines their status as one of the most consistent and competitive outfits on the grid.
BMW’s customer teams also shone brightly throughout the weekend. The BMW M2 Racing made a statement in its final endurance test by winning the SP3T class. The #310 entry, piloted by Jens Klingmann, Charles Weerts, Ugo de Wilde, and Michael Bräutigam, delivered a dominant performance that showcased the competitiveness of BMW’s entry-level race car.
Meanwhile, MINI John Cooper Works, fielded by Bulldog Racing, secured second place in the SP3T class after a spectacular drive that saw them climb over 60 positions following the red flag stoppage. Drivers Samantha Tan, Toby Goodman, Sebastian Sauerbrei, and Markus Fischer completed 111 laps in challenging conditions, with Fischer setting the team’s fastest lap. Their MINI, decked out in a standout Deus Ex Machina livery, impressed both on and off the track, gaining widespread attention for both performance and style.
In total, BMW M Motorsport customer teams earned seven class victories, including the #67 BMW M4 GT4 EVO and the #650 BMW M240i Racing. Their collective performance reaffirmed the brand’s deep involvement and ongoing success in GT and endurance racing.
From thrilling comebacks to dominant class performances, the 2024 Nürburgring 24 Hours delivered another unforgettable chapter in endurance racing — a weekend defined by performance and perseverance for all who took part.
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