Cars

BMW M3 Touring Dominates the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours Race

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2026

BTI Team

The Triumph of BMW M3 Touring 24H: A Remarkable Victory

The BMW M3 Touring 24H, initially conceived as an April Fool’s prank, has emerged victorious in the SPX class with the #81 race car driven by Connor De Phillippi, Ugo de Wilde, Jens Klingmann, and Neil Verhagen.

With consistent wins in all preparatory races, the performance wagon secured a fifth-place finish overall, showcasing its remarkable capabilities on the track.

BMW M Motorsport hints at the potential for further appearances of the M3 Touring 24H, indicating an exciting future for the racing wagon.

The BMW M3 Touring 24H, once a whimsical concept, has proven its mettle on the racetrack with a resounding victory. The quartet of Connor De Phillippi, Ugo de Wilde, Jens Klingmann, and Neil Verhagen piloted the #81 race car to success in the competitive SPX class. The dominance displayed by the performance wagon was evident in its consistent triumphs leading up to the culminating event.

Furthermore, the G81 model secured a commendable fifth-place finish overall, a remarkable achievement for a wagon in an endurance race. Built on the foundation of the M4 GT3 EVO, the Schubert Motorsport’s M3 Touring showcased its prowess alongside the fourth-place M4 GT3 EVO. The stellar performance was a testament to the skills of Dan Harper, Max Hesse, Sheldon van der Linde, and Dries Vanthoor behind the wheel of ROWE Racing’s #99 machine.

Despite the successes, challenges were faced by other contenders. ROWE Racing’s #1 M4 GT3 EVO, driven by Augusto Farfus, Raffaele Marciello, Kelvin van der Linde, and Jordan Pepper, encountered setbacks and retired prematurely due to refueling system issues.

In a parallel turn of events, Schubert Motorsport’s #77 M4 GT3 EVO, driven by Philipp Eng, Robin Frijns, Charles Weerts, and Marco Wittmann, secured a respectable ninth-place finish.

Looking towards the future, the journey of the M3 Touring is far from over. BMW M Motorsport has alluded to the potential return of the performance wagon to the racing circuit, promising enthusiasts more thrilling moments to come.

“And don’t worry: this story isn’t parked yet. Stay tuned, you might see it rolling again sooner than you think.”

A Mixed Victory for Mercedes-AMG

As the race entered its final phase, the #3 AMG GT3, driven by Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon, and Lucas Auer, seemed poised for a comfortable win with a significant lead. However, a driveshaft malfunction paved the way for the #80 AMG car, piloted by Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, Fabian Schiller, and Luca Stolz, to claim victory.

The Red Bull Team ABT’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 secured the second spot, followed by Walkenhorst Motorsport’s Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 in third place.