Hong Kong-based squad KCMG are set to take on the 50th running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours this weekend as they aim for outright victory with the backing of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific.
137 cars are entered for the classic enduro, with Porsche the most represented manufacturer on the grid with 45, including eight in the top SP9 class for GT3 cars. The marque will also be aiming to add to its tally of 13 wins in the 24-hour race, and KCMG hoping to be fighting for the top step of the podium.
The team will take on the 25.378-kilometre circuit with a driver line-up of Earl Bamber, Nick Tandy and Dennis Olsen at the wheel of their #18 Porsche 911 GT3 R, which will sport a new livery in KCMG’s classic colours of blue, white and black. So far in 2022, the team have already claimed a podium finish on their Rolex 24 at Daytona debut and shown excellent pace in selected Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie rounds and the ADAC 24h Qualifiers at the Nordschleife.
Since the event’s first edition in 1970, it has become one of the most famous enduros on the motor racing calendar. Taking place on the brutal Nordschleife, a daunting layout of well over 100 corners awaits the drivers, in a twice-round-the-clock race that is often affected by unpredictable weather conditions.
KCMG’s 24-hour weekend begins on Thursday with the first two of three qualifying sessions, before a final one on Friday to determine who progresses into the afternoon’s Top Qualifying. The main event gets underway at 16:00 local time on Saturday.
Earl Bamber, #18 KCMG Porsche 911 GT3 R: “I’m really excited to be taking part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. It’s awesome to be driving for KCMG again after competing together there in 2020, and to join Nick for the first time since our victory at the Spa 24 Hours two years’ ago. To have Dennis with us also really bolsters the team’s line up, as he’s one of the best young drivers in endurance racing. The team has done an incredible job so far this year, and we are determined to put our best foot forward and bring home the victory.”
Nick Tandy, #18 KCMG Porsche 911 GT3 R: “The Nürburgring 24 Hours is nearly upon us once again, and I’m thrilled to return to the Nordschleife. The event is one of the biggest and most challenging on the motorsport calendar and it’s great to be joining Earl and Dennis for the race. Our preparation has been good, and despite missing out on NLS 2 due to the poor weather conditions, we are fully equipped to take on the 24 Hours. We’re going there with one aim, which is victory, and I know from previous experience you need a competitive car, a hard-working team and a lot of luck. We’ve already got two of those elements, so let’s hope there’s a bit of luck on our side next weekend!”
Dennis Olsen, #18 KCMG Porsche 911 GT3 R: “I’m pumped to be taking part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with KCMG again. We have all the ingredients we need to target a strong result, so I’m eager to get going. The crew has done a brilliant job with their preparations for the event, so if we can have a clean race, we know what’s needed for victory. I’m looking forward to sharing the car with two incredibly experienced drivers in Earl and Nick, we’ve got a great chance to take a big result, so I’m super excited to get the weekend underway.”
Matt Howson, KCMG Team Manager: “We’ve been working hard and preparing for this event since February, and it’s just around the corner now, so we’re extremely confident to take on the 24 Hours of Nürburgring once again. KCMG has an exceptional driver line-up in Earl, Nick and Dennis, and the 911 GT3 R has been performing very strongly on the Nordschleife, so the whole team is highly motivated to mount a serious challenge for the win. The squad has gained invaluable experience here since our first attempt in 2019 and they feel more ready than ever. Following on from our massive result at the Rolex 24 in Daytona, we are fully focused on the top step at the Nürburgring and nothing else!”
Paul Ip, KCMG Founder: “For KCMG to return to the Nürburgring 24 Hours with such energy and motivation is really special, and it will be exciting to see how the team fares on the fearsome Nordschleife. The crew has been working very hard to prepare for this event, and with the treasured support from Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, a lot of progress has been made with the car and our competitiveness this season. To have drivers such as Earl, Nick and Dennis join us only strengthens our position further with their experience and speed, and I’m confident that they can aim to take the win in one of the most challenging events in motorsport.”
Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “I’m delighted to see KCMG return to the Nordschleife again to take on one of the biggest events on the endurance calendar. The 24 Hours of Nürburgring offers a unique challenge to the teams and drivers, and the crew has been working especially hard in the last few months to make sure they are in the best position possible ahead of the race. They have three strong and experienced drivers in Earl, Nick and Dennis, and I’m confident they can challenge at the front of the field throughout the weekend.”
Source. KCMG/Photo. Sieger Designs
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