Since 1999, the Falken Tire Europe Motorsports Team has been a permanent fixture among the field of participants in the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race. The Nordschleife is the toughest racetrack in the world and therefore the ideal terrain for the Falken High Performance Tire. As of this year, the Falken Tire Europe Motorsports Team is using a racing car manufactured in Germany for the first time: Porsche 911 GT3 R

Falken Tire Europe Motorsports had previously been on the Nürburgring with Japanese sports cars. During the course of focused working of the European market, a purebred racing car from Weissach is now going into action. “With Falken High Performance Tires and Porsche, two premium brands in motorsports are coming together. At the same time, we are consequentially committing ourselves to the European market, which we intend to further expand for ourselves", says Falken Tire Europe Marketing Director, Satoru Ushida, providing the reason for choosing the Porsche 911 GT3 R. “This car is at home on the Nordschleife. It is our aim to improve our race results from the past – last year, 12th place in the overall ranking and 3rd place in the SP7 class of the 24-Hour Race – and put our performance to the test at the highest level.”

The Nordschleife of the Nürburgring is unique. With 33 left-hand and 40 right-hand curves, the strip of asphalt snakes through the hilly Eifel landscape. On a length of 20.8 km, this racetrack offers every conceivable challenge: jump hills, steep curves, long straights, fast passes and curvy sections. In the 2010 Long-Distance Championship, out of ten races, a total of nine wins went to the 911 GT3 R.

About the Porsche 911 GT3 R: The 911 GT3 R is powered by six-cylinder, naturally aspirated boxer engine with four liters of displacement, which generates 480 horsepower (353 kW) at 7,250 rotations per minute. Through a six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox, the power goes to the rear axle. Traction control, the electronically controlled double de-clutching function and a specially tuned racing ABS make the 911 GT3 R a highly competitive vehicle. Wheels: Front axle: One-piece, forged, lightweight alloy wheels (11J x 18 ET 35) and tires 290/660R18, rear axle: One-piece, forged, lightweight alloy wheels (13J x 18 ET 12.5) and 330/710R18 tires.

About the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race: The ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring has been held on the approx. 25 km long combination of the Nordschleife and Grand-Prix track since 1970. The route length makes a field of more than two hundred vehicles possible, which are driven by up to approx. 700 drivers, alternately. Due to the large starter field and more than 200,000 fans along the track, the race is regarded as the largest motorsports event in the world. In 2011, it will be held from June 23 - 26.