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Simon Hawkins talks to Jörg Breuer, Managing Director, Walkenhorst Motorsport ahead of this year’s ADAC 24h Nürburgring

Jörg Breuer. Credit: Walkenhorst Motorsport

Based near the picturesque town Melle, Lower Saxony in NW Germany you will find the successful endurance racing team of Walkenhorst Motorsport. Founded by Henry Walkenhorst in 2011 who ran a number of BMW franchise garages at the time. Henry still actively races with the team today. This franchise led onto a natural partnership with BMW Motorsport and has grown today into one of the leading European GT racing teams. From small beginnings the team has grown to 21 people working across 10 different disciplines.

Jörg (Centre) with the 2025 race team. Credit: Walkenhorst Motorsport

Their own team description states. Walkenhorst Motorsport: This is the fascination for motorsport and automotive passion. This isn’t just a mere expression; it defines who we are. We live for motorsport. And that has been the case for more than 10 years.

I was keen to discover more about the team and look a little behind the scenes. The opportunity arose when the GT World Challenge (Europe) series came to Brands Hatch in the UK and I was delighted to have the opportunity to talk with Jörg Breuer, Managing Director & Shareholder, and to discover how the team have now transitioned into a new exciting partnership with Aston Martin Racing (AMR).

I asked Jörg about the successes to date for Walkenhorst - "Our team has achieved continuous success on race tracks worldwide since it was founded in 2011. In 2018 we celebrated victory at the TOTAL 24h of Spa, the biggest GT3 spectacle in the world. This was a major achievement for us and victory was only secured during the latter stages of the race. Our BMW M4 GT3 driven by Philipp Eng, Tom Blomqvist and Christian Krognes came out on top in a tight late-race and tense battle to win at Spa. An amazing win for us and one that tested our team resolve and nerve until the end".

Victory at the 24HSPA #34 Walkenhorst Motorsport DEU BMW M6 GT3
Credit - SRO Motorsports - Dirk Bogaerts Photography

In 2023 we took first place in the Asian Le Mans Series and at with that, we earned the entry ticket for Le Mans.

‘In addition, our spiritual home is the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It is widely considered the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world. This is the halo event for the team and where we have been developing of race craft since inception. We have also been successful here, we view this as our home race and probably the race we wish to win the most’.

Further notable success continued when Walkenhorst won the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series in a BMW M4 GT3. This then led to an automatic entry into the Le Mans 2024 race.

Jörg explained: ‘This was our first participation at Le Mans and with the Ferrari 488 GTE and we entrusted the driving to an American-Indonesian crew. Not only did we cross the finish line as triumphant participants, but with an 8th place finish in the LM GTE Am class.’

On 23rd November 2023 Walkenhorst signed a contract with AMR to become an official race partner which would start in the 2024 season. The official deal included using the Vantage GT3 and receiving extensive factory support. It was agreed that Walkenhorst Motorsport would enter a new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the PRO category in both the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Powered by AWS (GTWC) and rounds of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Series (NLS) including the iconic 24h-race on the Nürburgring.

Early season testing with the new Vantage GT3 at Paul Richard in 2024
Credit SRO Motorsports GTWC (Europe)

Speaking at the time Henry Walkenhorst stated: ‘The connection with AMR is more than just a partnership for us – it is a shared journey on which we will hopefully achieve many joint successes with enthusiasm. We are firmly convinced that with AMR we will not only seamlessly build on the significant team successes of recent years, but also continue to expand on them in the future. We have great ambitions and will not disappoint our long-standing partners and many fans.’

Jörg explained how the deal developed and why the team chose to partner with AMR: 

‘The relationship with BMW Motorsport came to a natural end and we began to search for alternatives and we had a number of discussions with other manufacturers.'

'From the outset there was a completely open dialogue with AMR regarding the then new GT3 Vantage and the development plans for the future. The projections seemed realistic and the technical support levels on offer were impressive. Having AMR on board also gave us great confidence for the design and evolution process over the coming years. Having the opportunity of a multi-year programme also have us the confidence to develop a long term strategy and build a strong continuity programme with drivers, team members and sponsors.'

'We have also found that the prestige associated with the Aston Martin has increased our interest in customer drivers and sponsors, both of which want to be associated with the brand name. We are all proud to be racing and associated the marque and hope to continue for many years to come. In 2025 Walkenhorst we are running 3 x AMR GT3 cars and 1 x AMR GT4.’

#35 - Walkenhorst Motorsport - Henrique Chaves - Mateo Villagomez
Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3

Walkenhorst welcomes customer drivers as this provides valuable revenue to meet the expense of race programmes. I asked how they select drivers.

‘We welcome all interested partners but we need to ensure that they have enough pace and experience to warrant a seat in our cars. We would normally have a number of initial meetings to set all the parameters and then organise a test day for us to assess the pace and for the customers to familiar themselves with the Vantage GT3. If they prove to be fast enough then we can have financial and sponsorship discussions along with a suggested race programme for the season.’

Despite the close affinity with the 24hr Nürburgring the top step of the podium has always been elusive to Walkenhorst. This year the team will compete in the pro category with a strong line-up with no fewer than four official Aston Martin factory drivers.

Henry Walkenhorst previously quoted: ‘For many years we have been chasing victory at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. This year we are starting with one of our strongest line-ups ever. I am confident that we can be in contention at the front of the field and I’m already looking forward to the race!’

The driver line-up for the top car consists of Aston Martin factory drivers, some of whom have been part of Walkenhorst Motorsport for many years. All four drivers have plenty of experience on the Nordschleife and are among the fastest drivers on the legendary track. Mattia Drudi, Christian Krognes, David Pittard and Nicki Thiim will share the wheel of the car during the 24-hour race in the Eifel.

In addition to the works-supported pro car, Walkenhorst Motorsport will also field an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 in the SP9 Pro-Am class and the SP9 Am class. The line-up of the team from Melle is rounded off by an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and a Hyundai i30N.

We wish Jörg and his teammates the best of luck at the Nürburgring in June and for the rest of the season.