Subaru masters the "green hell": Despite changing weather, the motorsport team STI (Subaru Technical International) repeated its previous year's success and celebrated another class victory in the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring. After 121 laps the Subaru WRX STI "NBR Challenge 2016" with the starting number 106 in first place in the turbo gasoline class SP3T. With the renewed success, Subaru is already securing its fourth victory in six years: 2011, 2012 and 2015 have already won the team on the Nordschleife.
The 44. Edition of the long-distance classic in the Eifel was characterized by treacherous weather changes and sometimes chaotic conditions. Shortly after the start, the race had to be temporarily interrupted because heavy rain and hail made certain sections of the route impassable and around half of the vehicles started had to be recovered.
Hideki Yamauchi (Japan), Carlo van Dam (Netherlands) and the two German drivers Marcel Lasée and Tim Schrick benefited from their experience. The driver quartet had already started for Subaru last year and mastered the world's most demanding and dangerous race track with flying colors in the further improved racing version of the well-known Subaru WRX STI sports car. After exactly 23 hours, 58 minutes and 27,533 seconds, your vehicle crossed the finish line - and secured a strong 20 in addition to the class victory. Place in the overall ranking.
All photos: SB-Medien, Stefan Baldauf, Guido ten Brink