Despite recent changes within the international tyre company, the popular Falken Motorsports team will once again compete in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and the legendary ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in the 2026 season. The team is committed to endurance racing on the Nordschleife and will once again be fielding its popular teal-and-blue Porsche 911 GT3 R, with start number 44.
Falken Motorsports’ goal for 2026 is clearly defined: the team wants to pick up where it left off in previous years. It impressively dominated in 2025, racking up a total of five victories in the NLS, including four one-two finishes, twelve podium places and two pole positions. This record was enough to secure the NLS Speed Trophy, which the team also won in 2024.
Falken remains one of the most successful and popular participants at the Nürburgring. The brand has been present at the 24h race almost continuously since 1999 and has established itself not only in sporting terms but also as a fixture in the event environment. The 2026 specification of the Porsche 911 GT3 R will be called upon this year. Featuring aerodynamic enhancements across the chassis to optimise driveability, the 2026 package builds on the successful 992 chassis, which made its debut in 2023. Falken will continue to race on its own racing tyre, featuring the innovative SENSING CORE sensorless monitoring system that it first brought to the Nürburgring in 2025. Using machine learning to analyse wheel speed signals in real time, SENSING CORE reliably detects pressure, load and wear to improve pit stop strategies and avoid costly puncture damage.
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R, Falken Motorsports is focusing on continuity and experience. Klaus Bachler is returning. The 34-year-old Austrian has regularly competed for Falken on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in the past and has already celebrated several victories. This season, Bachler will share the cockpit with, among others, former DTM driver Morris Schuring, who has been part of the Japanese tyre brand’s driver squad since the beginning of 2025 and triumphed in his debut in Falken colours. The Dutchman already celebrated an overall victory at last year’s NLS opener with Sven Müller, who is also back in the lineup for 2026 and has been a staple in the team for several years.
The quartet is completed by Tim Heinemann, who has been racing for Falken since 2022 and has made a name for himself as one of the fastest GT3 drivers on the Nordschleife. Together, the team brings a mix of experience, Nordschleife knowledge and a winning mentality, providing the best conditions for another successful season.
Falken Motorsports is also focusing on continuity in terms of appearance: the striking design of the Porsche 911 GT3 R remains virtually unchanged, as does the traditional start number 44. This refers to the house number of Falken’s first German location in Offenbach, symbolising the brand’s close ties to Germany.
In addition to the popular Porsche entry, Falken will continue its collaboration with Max Kruse Racing in the 2026 season. The racing team of former professional football player Max Kruse has been relying on Falken racing tyres since 2021 and has already celebrated numerous class victories on the Nordschleife over the past four years. Last year, Falken also extended its partnership with the 24h race at the Nürburgring, which now runs until 2028, meaning the Falken logo will continue to be featured on all race cars.