Schnabl Engineering is set to enter cars under both the Falken and Dunlop banners at the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, following the purchase of the latter brand’s European arm by Sumitomo Rubber Industries from Goodyear.
The German team, which will once again field a pair of Porsche 911 GT3 Rs, has traditionally competed as ‘Falken Motorsports’, and won last year’s NLS Speed Trophy.
Its #44 Porsche will continue in traditional Falken colours in 2026, and be piloted by Tim Heinemann, Klaus Bachler, Sven Müller and Morris Schuring.
Its renumbered #17 911 GT3 R, meanwhile, will now compete in the yellow and black of Dunlop Motorsports, with the line-up of Alessio Picariello, Julien Andlauer, Nico Menzel and Dorian Boccolacci.
All eight drivers competed for Falken Motorsports at the ‘Ring last season, with only minor changes made to its line-up for this year. Boccolacci and Müller have switched cars, whilst Bachler returns to the 24-hour roster after missing the 2025 race due to a clash with his IMSA SportsCar Championship programme.
As well as the 24H Nürburgring, Schnabl Engineering will continue to run in select NLS events in 2026, where it will look to build on its five race victories from last season.
Falken has also announced that it will continue its relationship with Max Kruse Racing in 2026. The German outfit won both the AT2 and AT3 classes at last year’s 24H Nürburgring, and added an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II to its programme towards the end of the NLS season.
The 2026 ADAC 24H Nürburgring will be held on the weekend of the 14th to 17th May 2026, whilst the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie begins on 14th March 2026.
Images courtesy of Dunlop Tyres Europe and Falken Tyre
