Latest news with #N24
The South African
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Kelvin van der Linde claims dramatic Nurburgring 24 Hour victory
South Africa's Kelvin van der Linde brought home another dramatic 24-hour race win this weekend. Unarguably, motorsport fans acknowledge the Nurburgring 24 Hour (N24) to be the toughest endurance race in the world. And this is the third time South African Kelvin van der Linde has tasted success there. Kelvin van der Linde formed part of the four-member #98 Rowe BMW M4 GT3 team. He shared the single-car entry with Augusto Farfus, Jesse Krohn and Raffaele Marchiello. Therefore, the Jo'Burg-born 29-year old has now won the daunting N24 race three times. His breakthrough N24 victory came back in 2017. Kelvin van der Linde (far left) celebrates with his #98 Rowe BMW teammates this weekend at the Nurburgring. Image: Cruppe C Photography The 2025 edition of the N24 race was unarguably the most intense in recent years. While previous editions have been hampered by rain and fog delays, the 2025 race unfolded in near-perfect conditions. Nevertheless, a bizarre power outage still necessitated a two-and-a-half-hour red-flag delay. However, when racing eventually resumed, Kelvin van der Linde was tasked with chasing down the leading #911 Manthey Porsche. With the legendary Kevin Estre at the wheel of the Porsche, a spell-binding chase ensued. And the rapid South African had the unenviable task of closing down a 90-second gap. Eventually, after handing over the BMW to teammate Marchiello, the race was settled in a dramatic moment (watch below) … The 2025 N24 race-defining moment. Video: GT World on YouTube Don't forget, the N24 is the most unique endurace race of its sort. Owing to the length of the track, there are no full course yellows or safety cars to condense the pack. As such, you don't get any contrived racing. And the way Kelvin van der Linde had to chase down the leader over several hours was utterly spellbinding. Nevertheless, after heaping tons pressure on the leading Porsche, the race was effectively settled in one moment (watch above). Coming upon a slower back marker, Estre in the #911 Porsche dived for the corner to make the pass. He went up one on a tall curb and collected the Aston Martin, putting the hapless car on its roof as he sped away. The chasing #98 BMW somehow avoided the incident, too, by taking to the grass. And the #911 Manthey team was handed a 100-second penalty. #98 Rowe BMW chased all through the night to close the gap to the #911 Manthey Porsche. Image: Gruppe C Photography Still, with several hours to go in the race, the Manthey team appealed the stewards' penalty. They argued the Aston Martin driver had turned in on them. Nevertheless, this kept intrigue the whole way through. As such, the #98 BMW kept ahead of the 100-second gap, as the race ebbed and flowed. Finally, South Africa's Kelvin van der Linde brought the BMW M4 GT3 over the line. And he now heads to Belgium for the Spa 24-Hour race this coming weekend (28-29 June 2025). Impressively, he is one of only seven drivers in the world who is racing all three major endurance races this month. These include the 24 Hours of Le Mans, N24 and Spa 24 Hour. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen to unveil 50th anniversary Golf GTI at Nurburgring 24hr
Anniversary special edition will be based on new GTI Clubsport Volkswagen has confirmed plans to unveil a celebratory Golf GTI model at the Nürburgring 24 Hours race in June, marking 50 years of the genre-defining hot hatchback. While full details remain under wraps, the 50th-anniversary edition of Volkswagen's most iconic performance model is expected to be based on the recently updated Golf GTI Clubsport, featuring unique badging and styling touches that pay tribute to its heritage. It isn't yet known whether Volkswagen will introduce any power upgrades for the commemorative model. The current Golf GTI Clubsport is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 330bhp - 34bhp more than the standard Golf GTI - along with 295 lb ft of torque. This provides it with 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 166mph when equipped with the optional Race package, all delivered to the its front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a mechanical locking differential. By contrast, the first Golf GTI, launched in 1975, got its verve from its low 810kg kerb weight. Its 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produced 109bhp and 101 lb ft of torque – modest by today's standards but, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, enough to propel it from 0-62mph in 10.0sec and on to a 114mph top speed. As with the original, the 50th-anniversary model is expected to feature classic GTI design elements, including tartan upholstery and red interior accents. Beyond the special Golf GTI unveiling, Volkswagen will also showcase the latest Golf R, Golf R Estate and Golf R Black Edition at a fan event during the N24 weekend (19-22 June). And the company's presence at the 2025 N24 won't just be about road cars: two Golf GTI Clubsport race cars are set to compete in the enduro. ]]>
