Change is part of the concept behind the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. After all, the organizers at ADAC Nordrhein have been continually updating the regulations for this classic race since its debut in 1970. In doing so, they keep pace with technological advancements, while also continuously improving procedures and enhancing safety for all participants. Just how attractive the race remains even in its 54th edition is evident from the huge rush of teams. More than three weeks before the entry deadline (April 22), it is already clear that the maximum possible 150 starting spots will be fully booked. The regulations regarding the starting grid, like all other rules of the 24h Nürburgring, can be found in the event notice, the central document for the event. Here’s a preview of the most important changes—and a refresher on how starting grid positions are allocated…

Top Qualifying: Three Rounds at Full Throttle—Three Rounds of Thrills
For fans at the track and watching on TV, the new Top Qualifying format is certainly the most noticeable change. It is now divided into three segments, similar to Formula 1: Top Q1, Top Q2, and Top Q3 as the highlight. “We opted for the new format because we wanted to make the process more understandable and transparent for the fans,” explains Race Director Walter Hornung regarding the evolution of the single-lap qualifying session. As before, only the top classes of the field are eligible for this: SP9 (FIA-GT3), SP11 (GT2), AT1, and SP-Pro. Finally, SP-X vehicles are also eligible to compete, provided the team submits a corresponding application to race control and can demonstrate an engine output of at least 450 hp.

As before, early qualification for the individual time trial is also possible. A maximum of six cars can secure a starting spot in advance for the battle for pole position in the final Top Q3. The results from NLS Races 1 through 3 as well as the ADAC 24h Nürburgring Qualifier will be used for this purpose. In the NLS races, one starting position is awarded to the overall fastest driver across all qualifying sessions and two positions to the fastest drivers in the races, whereby all sector times that meet the criteria listed in the regulations and have been included in the standings are combined to determine theoretical best-lap times. In the 24h Qualifiers, one starting position is awarded to the team with the fastest lap time from Qualifying and Top Qualifying. One additional starting position each goes to the participants with the theoretically fastest race lap time in the two heats of the weekend.

Things then get serious at the 24h Nürburgring on Friday: In Top Q1, all eligible vehicles that have not yet been seeded for Top Q3 will compete first—participation outside the standings is also permitted for pre-qualified vehicles, but not mandatory. The 20 fastest cars from the first Top Q session advance to Top Q2. These cars then compete for the remaining spots in the individual time trial. Pre-qualified vehicles are not allowed to participate in this session. Top Q Sessions 1 and 2 last 35 minutes. In the final Top Q3, a maximum of twelve vehicles compete against each other in an individual time trial for pole position.

Light Panels – for better visibility even during the day
It has become standard practice at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring to replace track marshals’ flag signals with light panels at selected locations as darkness falls. However, starting in 2026, drivers will also receive stronger visual support during the day on these track sections—after all, the Eifel weather is known for bringing rain and fog. That is why light panels will now be used there in addition to the flags. These panels display only the flag signal shown at the track marshal post. The flag signal is always decisive—the display on the light panels has no sporting relevance in this regard but serves solely as a support. “We tested this system during the second NLS race in 2026,” explains 24h Race Director Hornung. “It was very well received by the drivers and the on-site marshals who have to operate it.” The plan is to deploy 28 of these display panels on the Nordschleife and eight on the GP circuit.

Entries: A maximum of 150 participants will compete
The ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring is traditionally the world’s largest race in terms of participant numbers. But even the world’s longest race track cannot accommodate an unlimited number of vehicles: according to the regulations, a maximum of 150 participants are eligible to start. While this number was not quite reached in previous years, the organizers are delighted to see a veritable rush of interested teams in 2026, so that three weeks before the entry deadline it is already certain: the maximum number will be reached this year. To ensure a fair process for the teams, the regulations stipulate that after the entry deadline, a review and selection process will take place, in which factors such as the balance of the classes and the technical and sporting quality of the teams and vehicles are relevant—after all, the race thrives on the diversity ranging from “small” production cars to beefy GT3s. If a team accepted by the organizer withdraws its entry, a replacement procedure is in place whereby any vacancies are then filled by teams that were not previously considered.