May 17, 2024

SUBARU to Compete in 2024 Nürburgring 24-Hour Race

Tokyo, May 17, 2024 – Subaru Tecnica International *1, Subaru's motorsport subsidiary, will compete in the 52nd Nürburgring 24-Hour Race from 30 May to 2 June 2024 at the Nürburgring circuit in the Eifel region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany with its WRX S4-based race car. This marks Subaru’s 15th*2 participation in the Nürburgring 24h race since its debut in 2008.

SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024 SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024
SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024

The SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024 will again compete in the "SP4T" class for cars with turbo engines between 2.0L and 2.6L, with the aim of winning this class.

The course is said to be the toughest in the world with a total length of approximately 25km, a 300m difference in elevation and ever-changing weather conditions. In order for the drivers to drive fast and control the car as they wish on such a challenging track, the race car enhanced its performance as shown below, while making the most of the Subaru Global Platform at its core and utilizing the basic layout of a horizontally opposed engine and symmetrical AWD.

【Main Features of SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024】
-Flexible performance wheels: Improvement of micro-rudder response and limit performance through pursuit of optimal rim shape
-Aerodynamics: Significant improvement in turning performance through the revision of the front underbody panel, rear wing, etc.
-Engine: Improved reliability, power output, and thermal efficiency by optimizing head bolts, head gaskets, etc.
-Suspension: Improved durability and reliability of front suspension components
-Exhaust: Improved high-temperature strength and durability by optimizing exhaust manifold materials and structure
-Cooling: Improved reliability by reviewing engine cooling water routes
-Electrical components: Improved reliability of power generation components and changed belt layout to improve reliability and reduce weight

Hideharu Tatsumi will be the Team General Manager and Takuya Sawada will be the Team Manager. The Technical Manager, Naoki Shibuya, will oversee the engineering of the race car. Carlo van Dam (Netherlands), Tim Schrick (Germany), Kota Sasaki (Japan), and Rintaro Kubo (Japan) will be driving for the team. Hideharu Tatsumi, who has been participating in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race since 2008, will be taking on his final challenge in this race.

Once again this year, eight service technicians carefully selected from Subaru dealerships across Japan will join the team to support the race. Subaru has been assigning dealer technicians to participate in overseas motorsport races since 1990, a unique initiative aimed at delivering “Enjoyment and Peace of Mind” to customers by enhancing the technical skills of its service technicians.

*1: Subaru Tecnica International Inc. (President: Hiromi Tamo, Mitaka City, Tokyo, Abbreviation: STI)
*2: Subaru withdrew its entry from the 2020 and 2021 races due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its preparations.

【Team General Manager / Team Manager / Technical Manager】

Hideharu Tatsumi Takuya Sawada Naoki Shibuya
Hideharu Tatsumi Takuya Sawada Naoki Shibuya

【Drivers】

Carlo van Dam Tim Schrick Kota Sasaki Kubo Rintaro
Carlo van Dam Tim Schrick Kota Sasaki Rintaro Kubo

【Subaru Dealership Service Technicians】

Takumi Miyazawa Niigata Subaru Ryuichi Arai Fuji Subaru Takafumi Fujihira Tokyo Subaru Yohei Kajita Gifu Subaru
Takumi Miyazawa
Niigata Subaru
Ryuichi Arai
Fuji Subaru
Takafumi Fujihira
Tokyo Subaru
Yohei Kajita
Gifu Subaru
Yuta Hisai Kyoto Subaru Keisuke Komori Shiga Subaru Atsushi Ryugo Okayama Subaru Shogo Suzuki Fukuoka Subaru
Yuta Hisai
Kyoto Subaru
Keisuke Komori
Shiga Subaru
Atsushi Ryugo
Okayama Subaru
Shogo Suzuki
Fukuoka Subaru

【Race Car】

Model Name SUBARU WRX NBR CHALLENGE 2024
Overall length 5,270mm
Overall width 1,900mm
Overall height 1,390mm
Wheelbase 2,690mm
Vehicle weight 1,290kg
Engine type FA24 BOXER DOHC 16-valve AVCS single scroll turbo
Engine displacement 2,387cc
Maximum output 280kW (380PS) / 6,000rpm
Maximum torque 590Nm (60kgf・m) / 3,500rpm
Air restrictor φ39
Transmission 6-speed sequential gearbox + paddle shift
Clutch O.R.C 5.5inch, multi-plate
Suspension Front: Strut / Rear: Double wishbone
Brakes Front: 6-pot / Rear: 4-pot
Wheels BBS 18inch x 11J
Tires FALKEN 280/680/R18

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