H&R and SCHERER SPORT PHX are looking forward to the Nürburgring 24h 2025

FIRED UP FOR THE GREEN HELL.
When SCHERER SPORT PHX starts the biggest race of the year with Sally and Werner, we at H&R will be there as the team’s official partner.

SCHERER SPORT PHX is well prepared for the biggest car race of the year, the Nürburgring 24 Hours from
June 19th to 22nd. After two victories in the qualifiers, there is optimism in the team, but also respect for the competition, the track, the weather and the duration of the race. Ron Moser, Managing Director of SCHERER SPORT PHX, and his 25-strong team have thoroughly prepared the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the Audi R8 LMS for a first-class driver line-up. The Porsche drivers Ricardo Feller/Patric Niederhauser/Laurens Vanthoor and their three team-mates in the Audi, Christopher Haase/Luca Ludwig/Markus Winkelhock, have a combined total of 63 participations and seven victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. ‘After our victory last year, we are proud to be competing with the number 1 on our Audi,’ says Christian Scherer, CEO of the Scherer Group. “With the number 16 Porsche, we have an excellent second race car. It has already earned two victories in the qualifiers. As nice as these successes are: We know exactly how difficult this race is. Regardless of whether we are the hunter or the hunted with the number 1: pressure and tension is the same every year.”

Due to weather-related interruptions, SCHERER SPORT PHX only completed 50 laps as the winner a year ago, which equated to 1,269 kilometres. In regular conditions, the teams cover more than 4,000 kilometres in one day and one night – that’s the distance from the team base in Meuspath to Messina in Sicily and back. ‘We dismantled both race cars, thoroughly rebuilt them and took the current service intervals into account,’ Ron Moser reports on the intensive weeks of preparation. “We know the Audi by heart. We receive first-class support from Porsche for the new car, which makes our work much easier.”

The drivers are looking forward to the race with anticipation. ‘The Nürburgring is the most beautiful circuit, but it’s also the most difficult race in the world,’ says Porsche works driver Laurens Vanthoor after eleven starts in the Eifel. The 34-year-old Belgian is Porsche’s defending champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and won at the Nürburgring in 2015. “The circuit is great, but it can also turn into a green hell, for example at night with aquaplaning. Your race can be extremely good, it’s always difficult and sometimes a bit frustrating. Experience and self-confidence count. It takes years to learn all this.”

His two fellow Porsche drivers from Switzerland know this only too well. Ricardo Feller won last year on his third attempt. ‘Winning doesn’t lower the pressure of expectation, it actually increases it,’ reveals the 25-year-old racing driver. “Last year, we only drove for around eight hours. But I want to win a real 24-hour race with two strong driver colleagues. Patric Niederhauser is one of my best friends and switched to the 911 a year before me. Laurens Vanthoor is WEC World Champion and has been driving for Porsche for a long time. I’ve learnt a lot from both of them in terms of driving style and set-up.”

Patric Niederhauser has already won a GT3 title, but not yet a 24-hour race. “In 2020, I only missed out on a 24-hour victory at Spa by 4.7 seconds. That still hurts,” says the 33-year-old professional, who was Pro-Am winner in a Porsche in his fifth Nürburg outing last year. “I have a great environment this year. SCHERER SPORT PHX knows how to win. You can feel that. Our Porsche is a real bank. It is strong on the brakes and excellent to drive, especially in medium-speed corners. Even in difficult conditions in the rain, the car is wonderful to control.”

The three drivers of the Audi R8 LMS are also ideally placed. Luca Ludwig has contested the classic in the Eifel 13 times. ‘In 2010, I finished third overall and won the GT3 class together with Markus Winkelhock,’ recalls the Rhinelander from Bornheim. “Some of the team members from back then now work at SCHERER SPORT PHX. The trust between Markus, Christopher Haase and myself is perfect. In my opinion, the decisive factors for a good race are: humility before the Nordschleife, being able to hold back, remaining consistent and flawless and utilising the strengths of a well-coordinated team.”

Markus Winkelhock has always contested his 15 outings in the 24-hour race in an Audi R8 LMS, winning in 2012, 2014 and 2017. ‘Each of the three victories is worth the same, but the first one was something very special,’ recalls the 45-year-old professional. “Werner Frowein implemented the Audi R8 programme back then. We celebrated the first victory with him on the podium.” The first name of the former Managing Director of quattro GmbH now adorns the racing car with the number 1. Winkelhock, originally from Berglen-Steinach and now living in the Czech Republic, takes a focussed approach to his task: “I’m relaxed, but serious about the job. I’ve always remained relaxed, even in qualifying, as the pole position has rarely been a good omen here. In the race, you have to get through the night well and be up front to be successful. The design of our Audi may be ten years old, but the R8 is easy to drive, fast and stable. And thanks to Christian Scherer and Ron Moser, we have a first-class team.”

Christopher Haase shared the winning car with Winkelhock in 2012 and 2014 and is the most experienced driver in the team with 16 appearances in this race. ‘In terms of driving, we are a good combination that harmonises in every area,’ says the Kulmbach native confidently. “The human element and mutual respect make us a strong trio. Our team is characterised by quality, will, experience and also a bit of craziness. I’m looking forward to this unique race. The fact that even F1 world champion Max Verstappen is interested in it says a lot about the fans, atmosphere, cars, teams and drivers. To be successful here, you have to find the right balance not only in the car, but also in risk management and team management. In the end, “To finish first, first you have to finish”. A certain composure helps.”

Regardless of which of the two GT3 sports cars is the better one in the end, Christian Scherer and Ron Moser are relying on strong support from outside: “We have received many positive comments from the fans about our Audi. They are happy about the strong driver combination in our number 1. We have also received good feedback from our customers and employees of the Scherer Group. They can now keep their fingers crossed for a Porsche and an Audi. And without our high-calibre team partners, the race would hardly be conceivable.” The race in the Eifel begins after a total of three qualifying sessions, a top qualifying session and a warm-up on Saturday, June 21st , at 4 pm.

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Contact for editorial enquiries
Alexander von Wegner, Tel.: +49 173 2077734; e-mail: [email protected]
Further information can be found at scherer-sport.de