STI NBR CHALLENGE

The SUBARU/STI team competed in the 52nd Nürburgring 24-Hour Race, held from May 30 to June 2, 2024, entering the SP4T class* with the SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024 (Car No. 88), based on the WRX S4. Under the leadership of Team Director Hideharu Tatsumi, who announced that this would be his final year, the team aimed for its first class victory in five years, following its previous title in the SP3T class.
* SP4T class…Class for turbocharged cars between 2.0L and 2.6L.

The qualifying sessions took place under unstable weather, progressing intermittently.
During the dry conditions in the 3rd qualifier held on May 31, driver Carlo van Dam recorded a lap time of 8:53.089, securing 43rd overall and the top in the SP4T class. The team advanced to the final grid from the Group 3 pole position.

The final race began at 16:00 on June 1. Immediately after the formation lap, the weather changed suddenly, and heavy rain began to fall. The SUBARU WRX pitted right away for rain tires. However, the rain weakened just 30 minutes after the start, and the team switched to cut-slick tires.

3 hours after the race began, the first driver change took place from Sasaki to Kubo. As the track surface dried, the SUBARU WRX maintained stable lap times while running around 58th overall. Around 4 to 5 hours into the race, there were crashes near Adenauer, which brought out multiple Code 60, but even during localized rain, the team continued to use slick tires.

6 to 7 hours into the race, after sunset, fog began to appear. Driver Tim Schrick continued to record stable laps just over the 10-minute 30-second range. However, 8 hours into the race, at around 23:20, thick fog caused a red flag, and all cars returned to the pits.

Even after sunrise, the fog persisted. The race remained suspended for over 10 to 15 hours.
During this period, the team carried out car checks and prepared for the restart.

After 18 to 19 hours had passed, the grid formation instruction was given, but the fog did not lift, and the wait continued. Finally, after 21 hours, at 13:30, the formation lap began.
The field drove 5 laps behind the safety car.

Ultimately, the race director declared the race complete, and the checkered flag was shown at the end of the 5-lap formation session. Thus, the 2024 Nürburgring 24-Hour Race—extensively affected by severe and unpredictable weather—concluded.

The SUBARU WRX completed 44 laps in total, finishing 51st overall and winning the SP4T class — the team’s first class victory since its SP3T win in 2019.

Comment from Team Director Hideharu Tatsumi:
“Although both qualifying and the final race were affected by unstable weather and we were unable to achieve our numerical targets, I believe our on-track speed, fuel efficiency, and stable performance were as intended. Above all, I am truly pleased that we were able to complete the race without the mechanical troubles that had plagued us over the past two years, and with no penalties or accidents—ultimately earning a long-awaited class victory.”