A Volkswagen Beetle is battling Mercedes-AMGs and Ferraris at this world famous endurance race

Published on Jun 06, 2025 at 8:25 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall

Last updated on Jun 06, 2025 at 8:25 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Emma Matthews

A Volkswagen Beetle will battle it out against Mercedes-AMG and Ferraris at one of the world’s greatest endurance races at the Nürburgring in Germany.

The iconic Nürburgring 24 Hours is set to take place, as the famous track hosts one of the toughest races in all of motorsport.

As with the Le Mans 24 Hours, the race is split into various classes. The top-level FIA GT3 cars race among some truly unusual lower-specification machines.

The entry list for the race is 141 cars deep, and as well as the Beetle, there are some very odd cars set to take part in the event, from a ‘stock’ mini to a 30-year-old BMW.

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One of the best classes in the race is SP 3T, which is where the Volkswagen Beetle will race.

This is a class that encompasses all manner of cars, although the Beetle that’s taking part isn’t your average daily driver.

The car is entered by White Angel Racing.

Its drivers are Bernd Albrecht, Carsten Knechtges, Sebastian Asch, and Oliver Bliss.

This team used to enter a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe in the event, but had to change machines as spare parts started to dry up.

As a result, they decided to create a one-off Beetle racer, perhaps the most formidable in the world.

Under the hood is a TCR-spec 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 370HP.

The aerodynamics of the car have also had plenty of work.

This included the addition of a huge rear wing and front splitter.

It’s clearly a fast car too, as it finished second in the SP 3T class in the 2024 running of the race.

This Beetle isn’t the only oddball racing in the SP 3T class in 2025, however.

Ravenol Motorsport has entered two 30-year-old BMW E36 318tis into the race.

They’ll enter the SP3 category, reserved for naturally aspirated cars.

They are, though, likely to be the slowest cars on track.

However, there’s a plus to the BMW pair taking part.

As two of just three cars in that class, if they don’t crash out or break down, they are guaranteed to have both cars on the podium!

The Bulldog Racing Team is entering a Mini John Cooper Works Pro, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 277HP.

This, though, is quite close to stock specification.

With no major aerodynamic upgrades, driving it at the Nürburgring must be very interesting.

None of them, though, has quite the same ‘wow’ factor as the rare Volkswagen Beetle.

All of these cars show that the Nürburgring 24 hours isn’t just for the fastest Ferraris and Mercedes-AMGs.

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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.