Lexus Nürburgring 24h Race Open Thread


After much anticipation, the Nürburgring 24h Race weekend is here! I’ll be updating throughout the weekend with any news I come across, and I encourage everyone to post links and updates in the comments section.

Before we start, I wanted to share a couple quick links:

Watch the Nürburgring 24h Race Live

Follow along with Lexus Europe’s Live Blogging or Twitter Updates

Track the #87 & #88 LFAs on the Nordschleife via GPS

Update: The race is over! The #88 LFA, despite the unfortunate collision earlier in the race, managed to finish the race 41st overall, and the #87 LFA finished 151st. More details as they become available.

1:15am Friday CEST Nürburgring Time (Pre-Race)

Lexus LFA in Nürburgring Pitstop

So far, there’s been two days of qualifying laps:

  • Round 1: Both LFAs completed 13 laps, with LFA #88 finishing 27th overall and #87 finishing 29th overall (and 2nd & 3rd in the SP8 Class).
  • Round 2: LFA #88 completed 17 laps with a fastest lap of 8:36.808, and sits 23rd overall and 2nd in the SP8 class. LFA #87 completed 18 laps with a fastest lap of 8:38.463, and sits at 26th overall and 3rd in the SP8 class.

Because both LFAs have qualified in the Top 30 cars, they will be equipped with blue LED lights at the start of the race tomorrow — meaning they will be given clearance to pass more than 100 other slower cars on the track.

Some photos from the qualifying rounds, courtesy of Lexus Europe:

The #88 LFA will start the race in 23rd, and LFA #87 will start 26th.

5:28pm Saturday German Time (22h 30m remaining)

Lexus LFA Nürburgring 24h Race

After the first hour & a half, the LFA #88 is currently in 28th position & the LFA #87 is 46th.

7:30pm Saturday German Time (20h 30m remaining)

An engine fire has taken the #87 LFA off the track for some serious repair:

Lexus LFA #87 Engine Fire

10:30pm Saturday German Time (18h 30m remaining)

With the #87 LFA being repaired, the #88 LFA has moved into the top 20:

Lexus LFA #88

5:20am Sunday Time in Germany (10h 38m Remaining)

Much has happened since the last update — first off, about five hours ago, the #88 LFA, which was as high as 20th overall, was involved in a collision and forced into the pits for almost three hours. Upon reentering the race, they were 138th overall.

After two hours, though, the #88 LFA is now up to 109th after 65 laps, good for 6th in SP8 class. The #87 LFA has also returned to the race, and as of now sits at 190th overall.

11:59am Sunday (CEST) – Time in Germany (4h 1m left)

Lexus LFA Pitstop

The #88 LFA continues to come on strong, climbing all the way to 64th. The #87 LFA is also pushing through the field as well, and currently sits at 162nd.

4:14pm Sunday (CEST) – Time in Germany (Race Over)

Lexus LFA Finishing

The race is over! The #88 LFA, despite the unfortunate collision earlier in the race, managed to finish the race 41st overall, and the #87 LFA finished 151st. More details as they become available.

—–

Images used from: Lexus Europe, Morizo Blog

EuropeLexus LFARacing
Comments
  • Anonymous
  • June 24, 2011
Thank goodness! I was afraid that it was only Top 20 like last year! They better start fighting their way through!
Y
Congratulation !
М
so what about the CT & the GRMN
  • Anonymous
  • June 26, 2011
Get back on top! You guys belong there! Endurance racing sure does prove a lot.
D
  • D
    David H
  • June 26, 2011
がんばって!LFA
Y
They doesn't quite good this time ... :
Y
They doesn't quite good this time ... :
М
no comment if they drives steadily and adult without that childish passion may be we are now seeing both of them #1 & #2 overall
  • Anonymous
  • June 26, 2011
WOOT! Congratulations Team Gazoo Racing!!!