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 Team FALKEN Motorsports, which won its first NLS Speed Trophy championship last year,* entered the tope-tier SP9 PRO class with two Porsche 911 GT3R cars, No. 3 and No. 4. In the morning qualifying session, accidents and extended speed restrictions prevented the team from striking out as planned. As a result, both cars started the race from the back of the grid, with No. 3 from the 15th and No. 4 from the 11th.

Just as the afternoon race was about to begin, a sudden downpour drenched the track, turning it from dry to wet at once. Both the FALKEN teal and blue cars started on rain tires but decided to switch to slick tires after just one lap based on the team’s assessment of the track conditions and tire performance.

Despite of the track that was still wet and slippery for the most part, the FALKEN slick tires provided stable grip, and allowed the cars to increase their pace steadily as the course became drier. It was clear that the team had made the right decision; the two FALKEN cars moved their way up quickly, and establishing a one-two lead two hours into the race.

The two Porsches continued to build their lead at a steady pace, ultimately securing a flawless one-two finish in the season opener with a gap of over one minute to third place. This victory marked a promising start to the season for Team FALKEN Motorsports as they prepare for the 24-hour race in June.

Meanwhile, Max Kruse Racing celebrated impressive wins in the AT3 and AT2 classes. FALKEN Tyre Europe supplies tires to the eponymous team of former Team Germany footballer, which pulled off a one-two-three finish in the AT3 class with its No. 333, No. 76, and No. 819 cars, and another win in the AT2 class with No. 644 car. To top it off, Team BILSTEIN by BLACK FALCON excelled in the SP8T class, where the BLACK FALCON’s prestigious team claimed a decisive class victory with a margin of over six minutes with its No. 150 car.

As FALKEN tire-equipped cars secured victories in four classes in total, the feat demonstrated the superior grip performance and durability of FALKEN tires across various categories.
 

Car No. 644, the AT2 class winner	Car No. 333, the AT3 class winner	Car No. 150, the SP8T class winner

Sumitomo Rubber positions motor sport activities as a platform for research and development. In collaboration with Team FALKEN Motorsports, we have deployed SENSING CORE in races at the Nürburgring. SENSING CORE is our proprietary sensor-less technology developed based on vehicle wheel speed analysis. We are currently developing a system to detect tire troubles associated with slow air leaks early during races.

* FALKEN Claims NLS Speed Trophy Victory

(News Release Issued On November 27, 2024): https://www.srigroup.co.jp/newsrelease/2024/sri/2024_082.html

■Outline of the Nürburgring Endurance Series

The Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) is an eight-round endurance racing series held at Nürburgring in Germany. Unlike the 24-hour endurance race that takes place only once a year, the NLS races range in duration from 4 to 12 hours. A large number of top-tier teams compete in the NLS as vehicle manufacturers as well as tire manufacturers use the endurance races as testing grounds for their pursuit of victory in the 24-hour race. The racecourse is nearly identical in length to that of the 24-hour endurance race, with a single lap spanning approximately 25 km. Featuring around 170 corners, an elevation difference of approximately 300 meters, narrow track widths, and undulating, slippery road surfaces, the circuit is among the most arduous racetracks in the world.