With the 24 Hours of Le Mans now in the rear-view mirror, excitement now builds for the legendary 24 Hour Nürburgring in Germany this weekend. With over 130 racing cars battling it out across 25,378 gruelling kilometres of the infamous ‘Green Hell,’ the challenge is fierce.
As more than 200,000 spectators line the track, the cockpit will be commanded by four exceptional drivers – a formidable blend of seasoned Nürburgring veterans and rising stars – each ready to push the limits in a relentless battle of speed, strategy, and endurance.
Reigning SP-3T class champions MINI John Cooper Works and the Bulldog Racing team return to face one of motorsport’s ultimate endurance tests. Part of the Bulldog Racing team, Canadian racing sensation Samantha Tan is set to make her 24H Nürburgring debut. At just 27, she has already cemented her legacy as a champion driver and the visionary team owner of ‘Samantha Tan Racing’.
Tan has celebrated international sporting successes in the 24 Hour Series, the 12 Hour Mugello, GT World Challenge America and GT World Challenge Europe. With hundreds of thousands of global fans and followers, she is an idol inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams fearlessly. Her expansive experience in challenging endurance races provides the perfect conditions for the Canadian to compete in this year’s 24-Hour Race at the Nürburgring.
But it’s not just the drivers bringing a legacy to the track, MINI’s racing pedigree is taking on a bold new look with a distinctly Australian edge. Teaming up with iconic Sydney-born fashion brand Deus Ex Machina, MINI John Cooper Works will hit the Nürburgring circuit sporting a custom Deus Ex Machina-designed livery. Already making waves on social media, the full collaboration will be unveiled on race day, with the Bulldog Racing Team exclusively dressed in the new Deus Ex Machina season SS25 and Classics. Followed by an exclusive MINI x Deus Ex Machina clothing collection in September.
Head of MINI, Stefan Richmann describes the collaboration as a natural evolution of both brands’ shared passion for speed, design, and individuality. “Thanks to this collaboration with Deus Ex Machina, we are setting new, exciting impulses for MINI fans and motorsport enthusiasts. Both brands are characterised by creativity and attention to detail, which allows the creation of exclusive designs with a distinctly individual style.”
The Aussie cult fashion label Deus Ex Machina, known for its focus on adventure, motorcycles and surfboards, has teamed up with MINI designing the exclusive race livery for its John Cooper Works entry in the iconic 24 Hours of Nürburgring, one of the longest and most difficult race track in the world.
The competing MINI John Cooper Works will sport the label’s signature black-and-white palette with hand-drawn elements, transforming the car into a ‘moving sketchbook.’ The Bulldog Racing crew will also be kitted out in the brand’s new season apparel, taking Deus Ex Machina’s design adventure DNA to sportscars and cementing its presence on the world stage.
Samantha Tan will be joined by Markus Fischer (AUT), going for his second consecutive class victory in the ‘Green Hell’ after 2024. Fischer set the fastest lap in his team in the #317 MINI John Cooper Works Pro in 2024. The 24 Hours Race is always a ‘highlight of the season’ for the Austrian.
Along with Sebastian Sauerbrei (GER) who knows the Nürburgring and the 24 Hour Race like no other – even in challenging conditions. His experience, which he has gained on many test kilometres on the race track, should pay off again this year for the experienced racing driver and the MINI and Bulldog Racing team.
And Toby Goodman (GBR) who can already look back on impressive successes at the age of 23 – including at the Nürburgring. He started his racing career at the age of ten. In his racing debut, Goodman drove to a sensational third place in the MINI Challenge Trophy in 2018. Since then, the Brit has regularly secured coveted podium finishes, including in the challenging endurance series.
In Australia, you can watch the Nürburgring 24 Hours live stream on DAZN.
Photographs © BMW Group.