KEY POINTS:
The Nurburgring is steeped in history. It was here that driving greats such as Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart rose to the occasion and dominated.
It's also where some of the worst crashes and deaths in grand prix history happened - Nicki Lauda was scarred for life, and Peter Collins and John Taylor died in crashes at the German circuit.
The track, including the northern loop or Nordschleife, is 25km of the toughest and most demanding purpose-built racing tarmac in the world. From June 9-10 it will host the 35th running of the 24 Hours Nurburgring, in which a number of New Zealanders are competing.
Kiwi Team Nurburgring are competing for the second time. Last year they finished 69th (after qualifying 184th) in a Honda Civic Type-R from a field of 220 cars. The team will be returning to Europe with two cars as part of a development plan to eventually challenge for outright honours.
The driver lineup includes two MotorSport New Zealand champions - John McIntyre (NZV8s) and Brian McGovern (Bridgestone Porsche). The six other drivers are: team owner Dr Greg Taylor; Tim Martin; 22-year-old Gene Rollinson (scholarship driver); Michael Eden; Rhys McKay; and Stuart Owens.
Minimising pitstops is a key area and crew chief Paddy Casey said: "We've seen the guys who run really grippy tyres and get great lap times, but the tyres wear a lot quicker, and they have to come into the pits more often and lose time bolting on new tyres. And it's a lottery running slicks when the weather changes over the mountain."
Also taking part is an Australian team with two Kiwi drivers - Craig Beard and Kevin Bell. The Porsche 991 GT3RSR-powered team is in contention for a podium finish.
The team is also fielding a second car, a Porsche 996, with another Kiwi, Paul Kelly, in the driving team. Also competing for the VW factory team are 10-year plus veteran Kiwis Maurice O'Reilly and Wayne Moore.
The 24 Hours Nurburgring is a touring car endurance race inspired by day-long events at Le Mans and Spa. Entries range from standard road cars to European Touring Car Championship vehicles, and sports cars.
Up to 220 cars will qualify, with 800 or more drivers in teams of up to four. The event is expected to attract more than 200,000 spectators.
ONE DAY AT THE NURBURGRING
* 220 cars on the start grid.
* A lap covers 25.3km and takes between nine and 11 minutes (depending on the class).
* There are 40 right-hand bends and 33 left-hand bends.
* Well-known parts of the circuit include the Karussell and the long Dottinger Hohe straight.
* Previous Kiwi winners there include Denny Hulme, Chris Amon and Aaron Slight.
