ROWE Adds Second Porsche for 6H Nürburgring

ROWE Racing has confirmed a second Porsche 911 GT3 R for next weekend’s GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup round at the Nürburgring.

The 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa-winning outfit will field two Porsches in the second round of the season after contesting the 3 Hours of Imola curtain-raiser with a single car.

Double 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard, Porsche factory driver Simona de Silvestro and experienced GT racer Jeroen Bleekmolen will drive the additional 911.

De Silvestro, who drives for Bernhard’s eponymous Porsche GT3 team in ADAC GT Masters, is set for her GTWC Europe debut, while Bernhard’s only previous Endurance Cup outings have come during recent editions of the 24 Hours of Spa.

Bernhard shifted to a new ambassadorial role with Porsche after exiting his two-decade-long factory driver position at the end of last year, but the 39-year-old didn’t rule out future race appearances at the time.

Bleekemolen, meanwhile, currently drives a Porsche 911 RSR full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship and is getting behind the wheel of a Frikadelli Racing GT3 Porsche in this weekend’s NLS round at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

ROWE’s other car was driven at Imola by the full-season lineup of Julien Andlauer, Dirk Werner and Klaus Bachler, while the Nürburgring entry list has yet to come out.

The trio finished sixth in the season-opener as the second highest-placed Porsche crew.

“Running the second Porsche 911 GT3 R is a great addition for our home race in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Nürburgring,” said ROWE team principal Hans-Peter Naundorf.

“it is a unique opportunity for us to see Timo Bernhard in one of our cars. We have been in touch for almost 20 years, if for no other reason than our physical proximity in Saarland. However, Timo has always been tied to other manufacturers or teams up to now.

“I am delighted that we have managed to put together this remarkable ensemble now, in the twilight of his career.

“I am also very excited about Simona de Silvestro, who has driven in so many different categories throughout her career, and has caught the eye on many occasions.”

Bernhard and de Silvestro visited ROWE Racing and Motorsport Competence Group’s workshop at St. Ingbert last week for a seat fitting.