KW 6h ADAC Ruhr Cup set for a diverse Nordschleife showdown

Nürburgring’s six-hour highlight brings together icons, newcomers and comebacks

The traditional KW 6h ADAC Ruhr Cup takes place this Saturday, 1 August, as the highlight of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie season. With 50 per cent more racing time than the regular four-hour events, the six-hour contest on the Nordschleife is set to combine strategy, endurance and drama.

Porsche tribute headlines the entry list

One of the weekend’s standout cars will be an exclusively designed Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, created as a rolling tribute to the Porsche Museum. The Porsche Heritage and Museum team, Weissach motorsport specialists and Team 75 Motorsport have joined forces on the project.

Grassroots passion and a major comeback

The Honda Civic Type R entered by Mark Giesbrecht, Frank Kuhlmann and Michael Flehmer offers a very different but equally compelling story. Flehmer has 42 class victories and won the NLS overall title in 2014 with Rolf Derscheid. Giesbrecht and Kuhlmann have 26 class wins each.

After half a season away, the trio has reversed its retirement plans and will return for the six-hour race. Giesbrecht said the team could add another one or two events if the comeback goes well.

Mercedes-AMG Performance driver Ralf Aron will also return after five months away following his serious Bathurst 12 Hour crash. The 28-year-old Estonian will drive the Mercedes-AMG Team RAVENOL GT3 with Luca Stolz, who celebrates his 31st birthday during the race weekend.

GT3 expansion and a full day of fan access

ERA Motorsport, Dörr Motorsport, FK Performance Motorsport, Joos Sportwagentechnik and up2race all add further interest to the GT3 field. Four Motors will meanwhile field an international trio of Yasser Shahin, Marcus Amand and Enzo Trulli, who are completing their DMSB Nordschleife A permit.

Tickets cost €25, with admission free for children aged 14 and under. Qualifying runs from 08:30, followed by a pit walk at 10:20 and grid walk at 11:10. The race starts at 12:00. A free live stream begins at 08:15 on VLN.de.