This year’s 47th running of the Nürburgring 24 hours was memorable for reasons that had little to do with the weather (for a change), unless of course you conclude that the warm dry conditions encouraged even more bravery and commitment from the more than 150 drivers taking part.

It was won by the number-4 car of Team Phoenix racing, driven by Frédéric Vervisch, Dries Vanthoor, Pierre Kaffer and Frank Stippler, the latter of whom won it with Audi in 2012.

But the folks from Ingolstadt didn’t have it all their own way. Despite the number-4 car leading the final 16 laps, three other makes held the top spot throughout an action-packed 24 hours including the pole-sitting Black Falcon AMG-Mercedes GT and the Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R which led for 14 hours straight.

Vervisch crossed the line in exactly 24 hours 8 minutes and 14.647 seconds, at an average speed of 165.1km/h (102.6mph) and completed 157 laps, just short of the absolute distance record of 159 laps set by, yes you guessed it – and Audi R8 – in 2014.

As always, we were there and have chosen 20 of our favourite images to share with you. Enjoy..

(L) Roman Dumas takes the record setting all electric ID.R on a demonstration lap before the start of the 47th ADAC TOTAL 24H Race. (R) With 158 cars in the race it takes a staggered rolling start to manage them all. Maro Engel leads the opening lap closely followed by the Mann Filter HTP Motorsport AMG and the Manthey Racing Porsche.

(L) With so many BMW M2s taking part they get their own class (K1.KUP) The total number of M240i Racing cars was 13. (R) This is the famous Kesling Motorsport Opel Manta “foxtail” named after the foxtail adorning its aerial. This car has raced in every race since 1998 and is loved by all followers of the N24. The Foxtail even has its own twitter account!!

(L) The Team from Hyundai Motorsports made their presence felt even more so this year with a track sponsorship for two TCR class entries including this Hyundai Motorsport N Veloster aimed at an American audience. (R) In a league of its own was the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG0003C running in a single class of SP X. This car was no slouch and managed to rise to third during the race. It would finish in 9th following extensive rebuild after an accident. After the race Jim Glickenhaus threw on some plates and drove it to the Red Bull ring to take part in the parade lap at this weekend’s F1 race!!

(L) As night falls there’s still no letting up. The number-38 Nissan GTR of KCMG lifts a wheel upon exiting the Karussell. (R) Good lights are a god-send for any driver. And a curse for a trackside Photographer as demonstrated here by the Manthey Porsche.

(L) Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Nothing is left to chance in the Manthey garage. Instructions and procedures are clearly laid out. (R) As night falls there’s no rest for the drivers or team managers analysing data and watching live feeds being broadcast from the cars.

(L) Some however will take sleep in any form that’s on offer. Here we see the “turtle” manoeuvre favoured by those not familiar with being 24 hours without sleep. (R) Meanwhile the rest of the Mann Filter team perform a full service including wash and wax on their AMG powered GT3 GTR.

(L) Dawn breaks in the pitlane as one of the many Porsche Cayman GT4s exits the pits to battle on for another 10 (yes 10!!) hours. (R) The Wochenspiegel Team Monschau Ferrari 488 GT3 stops by the pits for a complete brake change.

(L) This is made all the more easier on some cars by changing the complete brake setup (caliper pad and disc) as one complete unit. (R) Englishman David Drinkwater jumps into the number 91 Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing Golf GTI for his last stint.

(L) Following a serious crash which all but finished the Manta’s chances of completing the race, it finally manages to exit its garage for the last time. As this might be the last time we see the Foxtail race, it receives a standing ovation from all in the pitlane. ‘Everyone’ stopped what they were doing to show their appreciation. (R) Just seconds before taking the lead (after 1st place was given a 5 minute penalty) the Audi Sport Team Land R8 suffered a blowout effectively preventing its change of position and taking it completely out of the race.

(L) Team Phoenix take an unexpected win following the dramas for both the Team Land Audi R8 and Team Manthey Porsche. Racing can be a cruel mistress. (R) The true spirit of racing. The number-164 Team MSC pushes the number-118 Opel Calibra across the line.

Original words and images: © Kevin Mc Glone (Red Square Images)

24 hours audi endurance racing gt3 gt racing manthey mercedes amg Nurburgring porsche R8