FALKEN Claims NLS Speed Trophy Victory
Nov. 27. 2024
The Sumitomo Rubber Group is pleased to announce that our European tire sales subsidiary, FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH, has claimed the overall series victory in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (Official name: Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie, NLS) Speed Trophy. The team accumulated the highest number of points over the course of a season of the NLS that takes place in Germany.
As in the last year, Team FALKEN Motorsports competed in the top-tier SP9 Pro class of the series for the 2024 season, fielding two Porsche 911 GT3 R cars, Cars No. 3 and No. 4.
This season, Car No. 4 claimed three wins in total, one in the opening race and two*2, 3 in the Nürburgring Qualifiers (Official name: ADAC 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers), as well as a podium finish as the third place in the second round. These wins led the team to its first-ever NLS Speed Trophy championship.
Meanwhile, the other Porsche, Car No. 3, contributed two wins*4, 5 in the second half of the season. With five wins overall—the team’s most in a single year— the season highlighted the team’s overall strength as well as FALKEN tire’s exceptional grip and durability.
■Comments from Sven Schnabl, FALKEN Motorsports Team Director
It is very nice to win the Speed Trophy. We had a very successful year with five victories but with both of our cars. At the end, it was a very close competition with other teams, but we achieved it. Great job and hard work from the drivers, the engineers, the mechanics and our tire department in Japan.
■Comments from Stefanie Olbertz, FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH Motorsports Manager
FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH is very proud of what the Team around Schnabl Engineering and all our Drivers achieved this year. This result shows all our hard work pays off. Even though the Car No.4 won the Trophy by race results, it’s the achievement of everyone involved from Tyre service by Tyre Trade Center to every single person working for and with FALKEN Motorsports.
■Comments from Yoshinao Yasuda, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Motorsports Manager
Winning our first NLS Speed Trophy championship is a testament to years of constant efforts and improved tire performance, and I cannot be happier. We deeply appreciate the support of fans and everyone involved, both inside and outside the company. At the same time, we recognize we have challenges to take on, including getting both the cars on the podium at the same time. We will keep doing everything we can to maintain and enhance our competitive edge next season and beyond.
Meanwhile, FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH has extended its partnership with the Nürburgring 24H race (Official name: ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring) until 2028. Having been a fixture at the Nürburgring 24h race since 1999, FALKEN Tyre is proud of its quarter-century presence at the legendary race. The extension of the partnership underscores its commitment to, and enthusiasm for, motor sports. This collaboration will allow FALKEN to focus on its innovative technological development under the world’s most demanding conditions while advancing the event to further heights.
*1 The cars were numbered 33 and 34, respectively, at the Nürburgring 24H race and Nürburgring Qualifiers.
*2 FALKEN Announces Driver Line-up for Nürburgring 24h-Race and Wins Overall Victory in Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on April 12, 2024)
*3 FALKEN Wins Overall Victory for Two Consecutive Days in “QF Race,” a Run-Up to “Nürburgring 24h-Race” (News Release Issued on April 18, 2024)
*4 FALKEN Takes Overall Victory in 3rd Round of Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on June 26, 2024)
*5 FALKEN Takes Overall Victory in 5th Round of Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on October 24, 2024)
■ Outline of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS)
It is an endurance race series made up of a total of eight races held in Nürburg, Germany. Unlike the 24-hour endurance race that is held only once a year, the NLS races range in length from 4 to 12 hours. Vehicle manufactures and tire manufactures, including us, use the NLS as a test field to aim for the win in the 24-hour race, and many leading teams compete in the NLS. A circuit of the course used for the races is about 25 kilometers, which is almost the same as that used for the 24-hour race. It is an extremely tough circuit, with around 170 corners, a height difference of approximately 300 meters, narrow course widths, and wavy and slippery road surfaces.
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| Cars No. 44 and No. 33 leading the race in the Nürburgring Qualifiers in April |
As in the last year, Team FALKEN Motorsports competed in the top-tier SP9 Pro class of the series for the 2024 season, fielding two Porsche 911 GT3 R cars, Cars No. 3 and No. 4.
This season, Car No. 4 claimed three wins in total, one in the opening race and two*2, 3 in the Nürburgring Qualifiers (Official name: ADAC 24H Nürburgring Qualifiers), as well as a podium finish as the third place in the second round. These wins led the team to its first-ever NLS Speed Trophy championship.
Meanwhile, the other Porsche, Car No. 3, contributed two wins*4, 5 in the second half of the season. With five wins overall—the team’s most in a single year— the season highlighted the team’s overall strength as well as FALKEN tire’s exceptional grip and durability.
■Comments from Sven Schnabl, FALKEN Motorsports Team Director
It is very nice to win the Speed Trophy. We had a very successful year with five victories but with both of our cars. At the end, it was a very close competition with other teams, but we achieved it. Great job and hard work from the drivers, the engineers, the mechanics and our tire department in Japan.
■Comments from Stefanie Olbertz, FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH Motorsports Manager
FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH is very proud of what the Team around Schnabl Engineering and all our Drivers achieved this year. This result shows all our hard work pays off. Even though the Car No.4 won the Trophy by race results, it’s the achievement of everyone involved from Tyre service by Tyre Trade Center to every single person working for and with FALKEN Motorsports.
■Comments from Yoshinao Yasuda, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Motorsports Manager
Winning our first NLS Speed Trophy championship is a testament to years of constant efforts and improved tire performance, and I cannot be happier. We deeply appreciate the support of fans and everyone involved, both inside and outside the company. At the same time, we recognize we have challenges to take on, including getting both the cars on the podium at the same time. We will keep doing everything we can to maintain and enhance our competitive edge next season and beyond.
Meanwhile, FALKEN Tyre Europe GmbH has extended its partnership with the Nürburgring 24H race (Official name: ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring) until 2028. Having been a fixture at the Nürburgring 24h race since 1999, FALKEN Tyre is proud of its quarter-century presence at the legendary race. The extension of the partnership underscores its commitment to, and enthusiasm for, motor sports. This collaboration will allow FALKEN to focus on its innovative technological development under the world’s most demanding conditions while advancing the event to further heights.
*1 The cars were numbered 33 and 34, respectively, at the Nürburgring 24H race and Nürburgring Qualifiers.
*2 FALKEN Announces Driver Line-up for Nürburgring 24h-Race and Wins Overall Victory in Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on April 12, 2024)
*3 FALKEN Wins Overall Victory for Two Consecutive Days in “QF Race,” a Run-Up to “Nürburgring 24h-Race” (News Release Issued on April 18, 2024)
*4 FALKEN Takes Overall Victory in 3rd Round of Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on June 26, 2024)
*5 FALKEN Takes Overall Victory in 5th Round of Nürburgring Endurance Series (News Release Issued on October 24, 2024)
■ Outline of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS)
It is an endurance race series made up of a total of eight races held in Nürburg, Germany. Unlike the 24-hour endurance race that is held only once a year, the NLS races range in length from 4 to 12 hours. Vehicle manufactures and tire manufactures, including us, use the NLS as a test field to aim for the win in the 24-hour race, and many leading teams compete in the NLS. A circuit of the course used for the races is about 25 kilometers, which is almost the same as that used for the 24-hour race. It is an extremely tough circuit, with around 170 corners, a height difference of approximately 300 meters, narrow course widths, and wavy and slippery road surfaces.