New N24 Qualifying Format Aiming to Increase Transparency

Photo: BMW

A new qualifying format for the Nürburgring 24 has been revealed, with the aim of increasing transparency of cars’ true performance.

The system will take theoretical lap times into account, using a car’s best time from each sector, from the four races ahead of the endurance classic which takes place on June 22-23.

The field will ultimately be decided by the Top Qualifying session during the race weekend, but a total of 17 cars will be awarded entries into the session by their performance in previous races.

Two entries will be given to the cars with the fastest theoretical lap times in each of the first three VLN races, while an extra entry will be awarded from each of those races’ qualifying sessions.

Eight more entries will be allocated based on theoretical lap times in the N24 Qualifying Race on May 19, with five coming from the race itself and three from qualifying.

The total number of cars permitted to take part in Top Qualifying is yet to be determined, and will be 80 percent of the total number of Pro and Pro-Am cars entered.

“On the one hand, of course everyone wants to leave the competitors in the dark and on the other, [there is] the view that the parameters of the Balance of Performance are derived directly from the lap times – which is no longer the case,” explained race director Walter Hornung.

“The procedure is transparent because it eliminates many disruptive factors or at least reduces their influence.

“Anyone who is stopped on an otherwise great [lap] in a sector on the Nordschleife should be happy about it. But we also reduce artificial slowing down in order to deceive about our own performance.

“In theory, it sounds more complicated than it is in practice.

“In any case, I am delighted that this will ensure that the top qualifying will not be the closed event of professional pilots, but will continue to include international stars, recreational athletes and Nordschleife specialists.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.