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With Nico Menzel and Sven Müller behind the wheel, the Porsche 911 GT3 R (#17) in DUNLOP colors finished first, bringing the team its historic first overall win.

 

Although the #17 car showed strong pace during the morning qualifying, the circuit was affected by yellow flags, putting it eighth place to start the race.

 

In the four-hour race, the team opted to go into the pits earlier than its competitors, a strategic call aiming at securing clear track and avoid being held up by the traffic. Menzel and Müller made the most of the performance of DUNLOP’s racing slick tires, maintaining a fast, consistent lap times to steadily work their way through the fields. With less than two hours remaining before the race’s halfway point, they had taken the overall lead.

 

In the closing stages, the car was locked in an intense battle for victory with the second-place car. Despite intense pressure, Müller drove with composure and superb skills to defend the position all the way to the finish, ultimately taking the checkered flag by a razor-thin margin of just 0.319 seconds.

DUNLOP Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R (#17) taking the checkered flag

Racing in punishing conditions marked by extreme heat and a string of incidents, the combined strength of the drivers and the team came together to deliver this historic first Nürburgring victory for DUNLOP Motorsport. DUNLOP’s racing tires played an important role in securing the win, delivering consistently high levels of grip and excellent wear resistance throughout the grueling heat.

 

Looking ahead, DUNLOP will continue pursue victory in the Nürburgring Endurance Series and, ultimately, the Nürburgring 24 Hours, by leveraging its team strength as well as its tires that deliver reliable performance under demanding conditions, to showcase the DUNLOP brand’s technological capabilities and pioneering spirit to the world. By supplying tires that combine outstanding grip in both dry and wet conditions with exceptional durability and all-around performance, DUNLOP remains committed to providing the reliable footing that drivers put their trust in.

 

■ Outline of the Nürburgring Endurance Series

The Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) is an 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 6 hours. Many 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.

 

 

 

Since 2026, we have unified all communication under the DUNLOP name. We aim to embody three core values across all of our products and services: “Confidence to Face Every Challenge,” “Experiences that Exceed Expectations,” and “Pushing Beyond Limits.” We will continue pursuing our goal of creating positive emotion through innovative experiences for people all over the world. DUNLOP’s brand statement, “TAKING YOU BEYOND,” reflects our commitment to continually expanding the possibilities for all those who embrace challenges and guiding them beyond their limits.