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The
starting grid for the next Nürburgring 24 Hour race, to be held over the
weekend of 24-25 May, will see 200 cars of all different makes and types:
various types of Porsches, Dodge Vipers, BMW Z4M Coupes, Aston Martin DBR9s and
Vantages, Corvettes, Lamborghinis, Audi RS4s and TTs, Subarus…. and even an
Opel Astra Station Wagon!
One small yet major star
of this authentic international motoring festival will certainly be the Fiat
500, race number 168, that Marangoni Tyre will take to the Eifel circuit with
the Liqui Moly Team Engstler.
The vehicle will be fitted with Marangoni 190/580 R15 Zeta Linea Racing tyres
with slick and rain treads. Taking turns at the wheel of the vehicle will be
four drivers from three European
countries: Guido Naumann (Germany), Nathan Freke (Great Britain), Remo Friberg
(Swiss), Jethro Bovingdon (Great Britain).
Following
tradition, the 24 Hour race will be run on the entire Nürburgring circuit –
involving the combination of the track used for Formula 1 Grands Prix and the
gruelling Nordschleife – a total of 25.9 kilometres per lap. Continuous ups and
downs and no less than 177 bends, all with a different radius and incline,
together with weather conditions that can at best be described as
unpredictable, have made the Nordschleife famous all over the world. Nicknamed
the “green hell”, it is one of the most demanding circuits in the world and,
for this reason, one the most appealing to drivers. As well as being the ideal
place for both cars and drivers to show off their skills, it is also an
important testing circuit for car manufacturers.
“Every year the Nürburgring 24 Hours
attracts 150,000 spectators, and is one of the main German motoring events”,
commented Andrea Vassura, Marangoni Tyre Spa Sales Director. “In the past, we have always done very well
on the Nordschleife, where the public are very passionate and well informed.
This year’s experience with the 500 is something quite new, as well as a
message on the potential of ‘made in Italy’.”
Fiat 500 – Technical specifications
1368 cc engine, 4 cylinders in-line, 125
HP at maximum 6200 rpm (self-limiting), maximum torque 153 Nm; multi-point
electronic injection; super petrol (minimum 98 octane); Bastuck
Sportauspuffanlagen exhaust system
Front wheel drive, 6 speed
manual transmission with special speed shift and Sachs racing clutch
.
Independent
McPherson front suspension and
compound rear axle; KW racing shock absorbers adjustable in height, compression
and extension.
ALCON brakes, 290 mm in diameter, 4
cylinders with PAGID racing pads
7 x 15
inch alloy wheels
Marangoni 190/580
R15 Zeta Linea Racing tyres, slick
and rain
Safety: Sahler Motorsports
integral roll bar with DMSB approval; Sparco 6-point harness adapted to the
HANS collar, 80 litre ATL FT-3 tank with electric pump.
Dimensions: length
3546 mm; width 1627 mm: height 1408 mm; wheelbase 2300 mm; front track width
1414 mm; rear track width 1408 mm.
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