What Is 2012 24 Hours of Nurburgring

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 24 Hours of Nürburgring was held from May 19–20, 2012, on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The #33 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, driven by Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, and others, won the SP9 class and overall race with 157 laps completed.

Key Facts

The race took place on May 19–20, 2012, at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany
The winning car was the #33 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 driven by Bernd Schneider and Jeroen Bleekemolen
The winning team completed 157 laps, covering approximately 4,842 kilometers
Over 200 cars participated from more than 25 nations, representing 20+ manufacturers
The race featured extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and fog, challenging drivers throughout the 24-hour period

Overview

The 2012 24 Hours of Nürburgring was the 40th running of the endurance race held annually on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. This grueling event tested teams' mechanical reliability, driver endurance, and pit strategy across a full day and night cycle.

Hosted on the 25.378-kilometer Nordschleife combined with the GP circuit, the race attracted over 200 entries from more than 25 countries. The 2012 edition was particularly notable for dramatic weather changes and fierce competition in the SP9 GT3 class.

Event Date: The race officially began on May 19, 2012, at 16:00 local time and concluded 24 hours later on May 20.
Winning Team: The #33 Mercedes-AMG Team ART Grand Prix secured first place with their SLS AMG GT3, marking a major victory for the manufacturer.
Driver Lineup: Key drivers included Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Adam Christodoulou, and Peter Kox, each contributing to consistent lap times.
Distance Covered: The winning car completed 157 laps, totaling approximately 4,842 kilometers—one of the longest distances in race history.
Weather Challenges: Heavy rain, fog, and rapidly changing track conditions during the night hours led to multiple safety car periods and retirements.

How It Works

The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is a multi-class endurance race where teams compete to complete the most laps in 24 hours. Cars are divided into performance-based classes to ensure competitive balance across different vehicle types and modifications.

Class Structure:SP9 is the top class for GT3-spec vehicles like the Mercedes SLS AMG and Porsche 911 GT3, featuring factory-supported teams.
Driver Rotation: Each car must use at least four drivers, with mandatory rest periods enforced to prevent driver fatigue during the 24-hour span.
Pit Regulations: Teams must complete minimum 10-minute pit stops every two hours, including tire changes, refueling, and driver swaps.
Scoring System: The winner is determined by total laps completed, not elapsed time, emphasizing reliability over outright speed.
Track Layout: The full course combines the 20.832-km Nordschleife with the 5.148-km GP circuit, creating a challenging 25.98-km loop.
Safety Protocols:Full-course yellow phases and safety cars are deployed during major incidents, reducing speeds and bunching the field.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of top finishers in the 2012 24 Hours of Nürburgring highlights performance differences across classes and manufacturers:

Position	Car Number	Team	Class	Laps Completed
1st	#33	Mercedes-AMG Team ART Grand Prix	SP9	157
2nd	#2	Manthey Racing	SP9	156
3rd	#1	Phoenix Racing	SP9	155
4th	#44	GruppeM Racing	SP9	154
5th	#15	Pro7-AMG	SP9	153

The close lap counts among the top five finishers illustrate the high level of competition in the SP9 class. Despite mechanical issues and weather disruptions, the top teams remained within just four laps of each other, underscoring the importance of consistency and pit efficiency. Porsche, Audi, and BMW also fielded strong entries, but the Mercedes SLS AMG’s reliability gave it the edge. The race remains one of the most respected endurance events in motorsport due to its punishing track and unpredictable conditions.

Why It Matters

The 2012 24 Hours of Nürburgring had lasting significance in motorsport and automotive development. It served as a proving ground for high-performance vehicles and influenced future GT3 race car design and durability standards.

Manufacturer Validation: A win at the Nürburgring is used by brands like Mercedes and Porsche to market performance and engineering excellence.
Endurance Testing: Automakers leverage race data to improve brake cooling, suspension durability, and tire longevity in production models.
Driver Recognition: Success in this race elevates drivers' profiles, often leading to factory contracts with major manufacturers.
Technological Innovation: The race accelerates development in aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, and real-time telemetry systems.
Global Audience: With over 200,000 spectators and international TV coverage, the event boosts brand visibility for sponsors and teams.
Safety Advancements: Lessons from incidents during the 2012 race led to improved barrier designs and emergency response protocols in later years.

Overall, the 2012 race exemplified the blend of human endurance, mechanical precision, and strategic depth that defines endurance racing. It remains a benchmark for performance and reliability in the automotive world.