Six Toyota GR Supra GT4 set for Nürburgring 24 Hours
The GR Supra GT4 EVO makes its 24-hour debut at the Nürburgring Nordschleife this weekend, (20 – 21 May). Moreover, one of the revised customer sports cars sourced from Toyota Gazoo Racing will be running on an innovative e-fuel. The endurance classic is considered to be one of the greatest challenges in motorsport, contested on the famous 15.7-mile German circuit.
The experienced Hong Kong-based KCMG team are taking on the challenge for the first time with the GR Supra GT4 EVO. The squad are past winners in the SP10 category of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and celebrated class victory in both qualifying rounds for the 24 Hours. They are highly motivated and have ambitious goals for drivers Edoardo Liberati, Martin Rump and Josh Burdon.
Ring Racing, based near the Nordschleife, participates with two examples of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s GT4 car. The No71 Toyo Tyre with Ring Racing car will be shared by four experienced racers: Andreas Gülden, Lance David Arnold, Michael Tischner and Takayuki Kinoshita. The Japanese driver will also take the wheel of the sister car, with start number 70, alongside Heiko Tönges, Tim Sandtler and Marc Hennerici.
Teichmann Racing also considers the Nürburgring a home race, with its workshop located in Adenau, just 10 minutes from the paddock. The local heroes are fielding two GR Supra GT4 EVOs. Stephan Brodmerkel, Phil Hill, Hendrik Still and Constantin Schöll take the wheel of No76 while the second car, No75, will be driven by Roland Froese, Maximilian, Briton Scott Marshall and Torleif Nytröen.
The Teichmann organisation also oversees operations of the Griesemann Gruppe by TR car entered in the AT class for alternative fuels. This GR Supra GT4 EVO is powered by 100 per cent e-fuel from a research project undertaken by TU Bergakademie Freiberg. The university and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, together with the companies Nordoel and CAC-Synfuel, are innovating for the future by developing a fuel which is virtually CO2 neutral. Björn and Georg Griesemann will compete in car number No227 alongside Nordschleife expert Dirk Adorf and famous YouTuber Felix von der Laden.
Hendrik Schietzel, Manager Customer Racing at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe, said: “We have enhanced the GR Supra GT4 in close cooperation with our customers for the 2023 season, especially in terms of the brakes, handling and engine. With the new EVO version, our customer racing family continues to grow – especially on the Nordschleife. For the season highlight at the Nürburgring, no fewer than six GR Supra GT4 will be on the grid. At the same time, following the successful introduction in 2022, one of our GT4 cars will once again be competing with sustainable fuel. The e-fuel project shows how combustion engines can already be used with virtually no CO2 emissions today.”
In addition to the GT4 customers, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand will also be carrying the colours of the Japanese brand at the Nürburgring. The team will be competing with two Corolla Altis and travel to the event as defending champions after last year’s one-two victory in the SP3 class.
Teams and Drivers
SP10 Class (GR Supra GT4 EVO)
KCMG #47: Josh Burdon (AUS), Edoardo Liberati (I), Martin Rump (EST)
Toyo Tire with Ring Racing #70: Heiko Tönges (D), Tim Sandtler (D), Takayuki Kinoshita (JPN), Marc Hennerici (D)
Toyo Tire with Ring Racing #71: Andreas Gülden (D), Lance David Arnold (D), Michael Tischner (D), Takayuki Kinoshita (JPN)
Teichmann Racing #75: Roland Froese (D), Scott Marshall (UK), Maximilian (D), Torleif Nytröen (N)
Teichmann Racing #76: Stephan Brodmerkel (D), Phil Hill (D), Hendrik Still (D), Constantin Schöll (A)
AT Class (GR Supra GT4 EVO)
Griesemann Gruppe by TR Team #227: Björn Griesemann (D), Georg Griesemann (D), Felix von der Laden (D), Dirk Adorf (D)
SP3 Class (TOYOTA Corolla Altis)
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Team Thailand #119: Suttipong Smittachartch (THA), Nattavude Charoensukhawatana (THA), Nattapong Hortongkum (THA), Manat Kulapalanont (THA)
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Team Thailand #120: Grant Supaphongs (THA), Chen Jian Hong (THA), Naoki Kawamura (JPN), Kris Vasuratna (THA)
Information about the GR Supra GT4 EVO from Toyota Gazoo Racing is available online at https://gr-supra-gt4.com.
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