Season opener for Falken Motorsports falls victim to the Eifel weather
The Eifel once again showed its typical side at the planned season opener of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series: An onset of winter before the first race of the new season, the 71st ADAC Westfalenfahrt, led to a cancellation on Saturday. The turquoise-blue Porsche 911 GT3 R with the starting number 44, which was to be driven by Klaus Bachler and Morris Schuring at the opener, had to stop for safety reasons.
Although the snow that had fallen at the Nürburgring on Saturday morning had melted again in the course of the morning and the race track would have been passable according to the assessment of the race control, the low temperatures ultimately made it impossible to hold the race. Temperatures in the Eifel were only just above freezing, and no significant increase was in sight for the rest of the day. In coordination with all the tyre manufacturers present, the organisers were therefore forced to cancel this year's season opener.
"The track was free of snow and would therefore have been passable in principle, but the temperatures did not allow the race to be held safely," explains Falken driver Klaus Bachler. "With values around freezing point, it is almost impossible to get the racing tyres into their optimal working window and thus build up sufficient grip. This affects not only our team, but all tire manufacturers who, together with the race control, have decided to cancel the race."
"I'm especially sorry for the fans at the track," says teammate Morris Schuring. "Despite the adverse weather, there were many spectators on site, and of course we would have liked to have offered them an exciting race. However, safety always comes first, and at such low temperatures, safe discharge is simply not possible. The decision of the race control is therefore understandable and correct."
After all, Falken fans won't have to wait long, as the second race of the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series will take place next weekend (21 March 2026)