24-Hour Race Nürburgring 2026: BILSTEIN with Spectacular GT3 Art Car and Strong Line-Up
Essen/Ennepetal, 12 May 2026 – When the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring starts on 16 May 2026, the Nordschleife will once again become the stage for one of the toughest races in the world. More than 160 cars, over 40 GT3 cars in the top SP 9 class and an extremely high level of competition promise world-class motorsport. Between Fuchsröhre, Pflanzgarten and Döttinger Höhe, it is not just about pure speed, but about a perfectly balanced overall package of technology, performance and strategy over 24 hours at the limit. Numerous teams will once again be relying on motorsport technology from BILSTEIN in 2026. The focus will be particularly on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 from PROsport racing in spectacular BILSTEIN livery.
With Adam Christodoulou, Christopher Lulham, Mikaël Grenier and Marek Böckmann, PROsport Racing fields a high-profile driver line-up aiming to fight for top positions in the fiercely competitive SP 9 class.
Unique BILSTEIN Livery Inspired by Classic Gaming Aesthetics
This year, BILSTEIN once again brings an extraordinary livery to the grid. Following the iconic “Mystery Car” from 2025, the brand is once again making a bold visual statement on the racetrack. This time, the design is inspired by classic gaming aesthetics. The new 24h BILSTEIN Car adopts the digitally inspired 2D pixel-art style and transforms it into a modern three-dimensional design concept with sharp edges, reduced surfaces and deliberately integrated pixel structures. Finished in the characteristic BILSTEIN blue and yellow colours, the design merges seamlessly with the vehicle’s bodywork to create a striking overall appearance.
The Art Car symbolises BILSTEIN’s technological ambition: maximum precision down to the smallest detail, both on the racetrack and in design.
High-Performance Technology for the Green Hell
The Mercedes-AMG GT3 is equipped with five-way adjustable BILSTEIN EVO RT high-performance shock absorbers. These motorsport shock absorbers, developed specifically for use on the Nordschleife, have been further optimised on the BILSTEIN 7-post test rig, amongst other things, and are one of the most technologically advanced suspension solutions in international GT3 racing.
Majority of Mercedes-AMG GT3 Teams Rely on BILSTEIN Technology
Alongside the BILSTEIN Art Car, the majority of Mercedes-AMG GT3 programmes in the SP 9 class rely on BILSTEIN motorsport technology.
One of the strongest entries is the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL car #80. With Maro Engel, Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller and Maxime Martin, the team fields one of the most experienced and fastest driver quartets in the entire GT3 field. As a result, the team is considered one of the contenders for top positions in the premier SP 9 category.
SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm also relies on BILSTEIN technology for the 24-hour race. Kenneth Heyer, Jannes Fittje, Jay Mo Härtling and Philip Ellis share driving duties in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 carrying starting number 11. The team has long been one of the established names on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife and brings extensive endurance racing experience to the event.
KCMG arrives with a strong international line-up. The team competes with Nirei Fukuzumi, Naoya Gamou, Jesse Krohn and David Pittard in its Mercedes-AMG GT3. Combining experience from Super GT, GT World Challenge and the Nordschleife, this entry is also among the exciting programmes in the highly competitive SP 9 field.
Numerous Additional Teams Trust BILSTEIN Dampers
Beyond the prominent GT3 entries, many teams across various classes continue to rely on BILSTEIN motorsport technology in 2026.
This year once again sees Jimmy Broadbent, Steve Brown, Misha Charoudin and Manuel Metzger competing on BILSTEIN suspension. Following their campaigns in the BMW M4 GT4 EVO, the team moves to a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the AT2 class for alternative fuels in 2026.
The Black Falcon Team Fanatec driver line-up has become one of the most recognisable groups within the Nürburgring community and attracts significant international attention. From a sporting perspective, the team has clear ambitions. Following strong performances in the Nürburgring Endurance Series, the target is now a top result in the season’s highlight event over 24 hours.
Max Kruse Racing is entering no fewer than three VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h cars equipped with BILSTEIN dampers. Teams such as Toyota Gazoo Rookie Racing, Subaru Tecnica International and Sorg Rennsport also continue to rely on BILSTEIN suspension technology.
Nordschleife “the perfect environment to further develop motorsport technology”
“The 24-hour race at the Nürburgring is one of the absolute highlights of the motorsport calendar for us every year,” explains Martin Flick, Global Head of Motorsports at BILSTEIN. “The Nordschleife presents teams and technology with unique challenges. That is precisely why it is the perfect environment for us to put motorsport technology to the test and further develop it under the most extreme conditions.”
The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring weekend already begins on Wednesday with the Adenauer Racing Day. As the traditional opening event to the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring, the town of Adenau transforms into a fan zone featuring a vehicle parade, driver interviews and autograph sessions. The race itself starts on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Fans can follow the entire event free of charge via livestream, live timing and ticker at https://www.24h-rennen.de/en/live-en/.
About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico.
Photos: copyright BILSTEIN 2026. Reproduction free of charge if source is named.
