For most drivers, a Nürburgring 24 Hours debut is planned months in advance. For Calvin de Groot, it came together just minutes before the entry deadline closed.
The Dutch driver joined SRS Team Sorg Rennsport for the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring in what he describes as a true last-minute call-up, stepping into the #514 BMW 330i after originally arriving at the event in a coaching role.
“If you’re talking about a last minute call, this is the description of it,” De Groot explained to GT REPORT. “Ten minutes before the registration closed we decided to drive the race together with Sorg Rennsport.”
From coaching duties to the starting grid
De Groot had not originally planned to race during the Nürburgring 24 Hours weekend. Instead, he was set to work with Sorg Rennsport as a driver coach and engineer, helping guide other drivers through the event.
“Yesterday I was coaching with Piet-Jan Ooms at Zandvoort in the BMW M240i Cup,” he said. “Because I’m already driving and coaching at Sorg Rennsport, this weekend I would work as a driver’s coach, helping all the drivers with coaching, guiding and engineering.”
That changed when a seat suddenly became available.
“There was a seat available and in the end we were able to fill that seat at the last minute with me.”
First Nürburgring 24h brings a new challenge
Although De Groot already has experience racing on the Nordschleife, the Nürburgring 24 Hours presents a completely different challenge, especially with nighttime running still new to him.
“I have no idea what result we will get, but this is my first edition,” he said. “We are going to learn a lot. The most important thing is to survive in Nordschleife.”
The Dutchman already has experience in crowded endurance-style racing fields through the Citroën C1 Cup, but admits the Nürburgring 24 Hours is another level entirely.
“Yes, I have already driven about eight 24-hour races in the Citroën C1 Cup. In the C1 Cup we drove a total of 120 cars at the same time. So I do have some experience with a crowded track.”
However, several key elements remain unknown heading into the race weekend.
“But I haven’t driven here in the Nürburgring 24 Hours yet. I have two racing seasons of experience now, one and a half in NLS. But in the night I haven’t driven yet. So it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Survival over outright speed
De Groot and his teammates are approaching the race with a realistic mindset, focusing on consistency and staying out of trouble rather than chasing outright pace.
“The drivers I drive with are very experienced drivers and also of age,” he explained. “The speed and the end result are less important than getting to the finish. If the team ahead of you doesn’t, you will still be first.”
That philosophy becomes even more important around the Nordschleife, where even small mistakes can end a race instantly.
“If you make a small mistake, the 24 Hours can be very hard. So it is about making as few mistakes as possible, don’t damage anything, and get the car to the finish.”
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