Au, Niederhauser, Dontje Join Lionspeed for N24

Patric Niederhauser will be making his first Nürburgring 24 appearance with Porsche as part of Lionspeed GP’s SP9 Pro-Am lineup that also features Antares Au and Indy Dontje.

The Swiss driver became a Porsche-contracted driver earlier this year after a lengthy stint as a member of the Audi factory roster.

He joins Au, Dontje and team co-owner Patrick Kolb aboard the No. 24 Porsche 911 GT3 R for the 52nd running of the Eifel endurance classic.

Niederhauser last raced for Lionspeed at the N24 in 2022, when he formed part of the team’s lineup when it entered a pair of Car Collection Motorsport-operated Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evos.

Au, meanwhile will make his N24 debut and is set to compete for Intercontinental GT Challenge Independent Cup points aboard No. 24 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

The Hong Kong driver finished runner-up in the Independent Cup behind Jonathan Hui last year and obtained his Nordschleife A-permit with the team at last weekend’s NLS double header.

“I’m very excited to embark on my first N24 journey with Lionspeed GP — this is a circuit and race like no other, and the learning curve is steep and slippery like Nordschleife itself,” Au said.

“We have a ton of learning ahead, but everyone’s motivated and we’ll work hard for it!

The team’s lineup will be completed by Dontje, who is a reigning SP9 Pro-Am winner after he took a class win with WTM by Rinaldi Racing last year.

The Dutchman enjoyed a strong start to his season, taking IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class wins with Winward Racing in both the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Cadillac.

This year’s edition of the N24 will be Lionspeed’s first operating with external support. It recently made its SRO debut in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season opener in Paul Ricard, finishing ninth in Bronze Cup.