Photo and report: Willem J. Staat

The VLN Endurance-series at the Nürburgring Nordschleife will enter it’s 36th season in 2012. The organizers have opted for more safety around the track. More intervention-cars will be used in case of an accident. The number of accidents have decreased, though last year there were some incidents with competitors ignoring yellows. For this season the VLN-organisation has decided to take action. Those ones who will bend the rules will be sent home Hans Jürgen Hilgeland from the VLN-organisation said.

And for 2012 there is again an highly rated starterfield from professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs. The season’s highlights are the Nürburging 6h Hrs. and 24 Hrs. though the last one does not count towards the championship.

There will be strong competition between Mercedes, Porsche and the brand new Dörr McLaren MP4-12 GT3’s, which made their maiden appearance at the Nordschleife. BMW will be concentrating on the Z4 Project. Both Schubert and Vitaphone Racing will be focussing on the Nürburgring 24 Hrs. of course. ALMS competitor Klaus Graf has joined ROWE Racing, and will be competing with the SLS AMG Mercedes GT3. Audi will be entering their updated Audi R8 LMS Ultra in the series whilst Falken will be returning with GT3 Porsche for Peter Dumbreck and Sebastian Asch.