MINI JCW Coupé Endurance :: Nürburgring :: Meet the Team

The MINI John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance is totally prepared for the challenges posed by the "Green Hell", as is its team of eight drivers, all of whom have experience of the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife.

Because the ""taxes teams and drivers to the absolute limit, experience and cool heads are an absolute must when competing in the 24 Hour Race. Hence MINI’s decision to enter a team of eight veterans, all of whom draw on long-distance racing and MINI Challenge experience.

The team:

Hendrik Vieth (dob. Dec. 28, 1981): MINI Challenge 2010 Champion and winner of last year’s 24 Hour MINI Challenge support race.

Jürgen Schmarl (dob. Jan. 06, 1974): Winner of the 2004 Nürburgring and ADAC 24 Hour (Alfa 147 Cup) support races, and regular top-ten finisher in the MINI Challenge since 2005.

Ralf Martin (dob. Jul. 10, 1967): Veteran with over 20 years experience in motorsport with numerous one-make championship successes, plus 14 campaigns in ADAC 24H events and numerous starts in the VLN Long-distance Championship.

Anja Wassertheurer: sportauto road tester and editor, and regular competitor in the VLN Long-distance Championship; numerous starts in ADAC 24H rounds and holder of an international DMSB Grade C licence. Guest competitor in the 2006 MINI Challenge.

Fredrik Lestrup (dob. Jul. 11, 1984): Active in motorsport since 2005, with numerous successes in the MINI Challenge since 2008; numerous starts in the VLN Long-distance Championship

Nico Bastian (dob. Apr. 15, 1990): Competitor in the MINI Challenge since 2008; placed third overall in 2009; having previously won a variety of kart championships. Entered the ADAC 24H in 2010.

Harald Hennes (dob. Nov. 13, 1970): Active in motorsport since 1988, scoring various one-make championship titles including the Puma Cup; currently points leader in the VLN Long-distance Championship.

Maximilian Engert: TV- (Playboy TV ) and motoring journalist, regular guest competitor in the MINI Challenge; holder of an international DMSB Grade C licence. Competes in the R5 Cup as well as various single-seater events.