Extreme Challenge: Bastian Buus Ready for 24 Hours in the Green Hell

The Danish Porsche factory driver is aiming to help Porsche secure a top result as he lines up for this year's edition of the legendary Nürburgring 24.

One of the absolute highlights of the year is approaching for Bastian Buus, who will take on the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring this coming weekend. Teaming up with Italian outfit Dinamic GT and co-drivers Matteo Cairoli, Joel Sturm, and Loek Hartog, the Dane will attempt to guide a Porsche 911 GT3 R across the finish line first in this notoriously brutal German endurance race.

The 24-hour contest takes place on a combination of the modern Grand Prix circuit and the historic and infamous Nordschleife, where steep climbs, sharp corners, and unforgiving guardrails are all part of the game. A single lap stretches over more than 25 kilometers and includes around 170 turns. Porsche last claimed victory in 2021, with fellow Dane Michael Christensen among the winning lineup.

“I’m beyond excited. We’ve prepared intensely for this race, and I feel like we’ve done everything we possibly can,” says Bastian Buus.

“It’s the highlight of the season for the team, and we’re heading in with full support from Porsche and our tire partner Pirelli. Naturally, the goal is a top result – ideally a top-five finish – but this race is so extreme that first and foremost, we’re focused on making it to the finish.”

"This is as much a race won through stability and control as it is through speed,” he adds. “We need to make it through the race without mistakes or issues, avoid contact with others – and hopefully have a bit of luck on our side. And if our competitors run into trouble, we won’t complain.”

Buus also took part in the grueling event last year, which is well known for its unpredictable weather. The 2024 edition was even interrupted for several hours due to heavy fog and rain – but that doesn’t appear to be the case this time around. The forecast is currently promising dry conditions, which is welcome news for Buus and the rest of the team.

“I think most teams are hoping for one long, uninterrupted race, and we’re no different. We’ve done a lot of testing on the track – though not much in the wet – so most of our data is based on dry conditions. But you never know – the weather can change quickly, and because the circuit is so vast, it can be raining in one section and completely dry in another. Thankfully, that’s the same challenge for everyone. We’re all looking forward to getting started and hoping for a great weekend,” says Buus.

More than 140 cars are entered for this year’s 24-hour race, representing a broad mix of professional factory teams and ambitious amateurs. Buus, Cairoli, Sturm, and Hartog will compete in the top-tier SP9 category, which features 27 cars. The event kicks off with qualifying sessions on Thursday, June 19, and the 24-hour race goes green on Saturday, June 21 at 4:00 p.m. – with live coverage available on YouTube.