Jarno D’Hauw didn’t expect to be racing the Nürburgring 24 Hours this year, but after a late call‑up from JJ Motorsport, the Belgium‑born driver is ready for his second start in the iconic race. In 2023 he competed with Walkenhorst Motorsport in the BMW M4 GT4; this year he returns behind the wheel of the German manufacturer, driving the BMW M240i Racing Cup. With experience in endurance events such as the Zolder 24 Hours, Jarno is fully prepared to attack the Green Hell.

From the Pitch to a Lamborghini: A Debut No One Expected

Jarno never actually started out in motorsport. “I played football until I was 15,” he tells GT REPORT. “But a teamsport was never really my thing and that’s the difference with motorsport, because you’re alone in the car.”

The JJ Motorsport driver first fell in love with racing through Gran Turismo. “I did a lot of sim racing.”

His father quickly noticed Jarno’s growing passion. “My dad asked me to do a trackday, and we did it with former Belgian racing driver Jeffrey Van Hooydonk. We went to different circuits together, and for two years he taught me everything to get me ready for racing.”

The Belgian’s path into motorsport was far from typical. “I got picked up by Total Plan Racing to start my first year in Lamborghini Super Trofeo. The plan was actually to begin in the Mazda Cup, but if you can start in a Lamborghini, the choice is easily made.”

Getting there so quickly isn’t cheap. “We don’t have the biggest financial resources, but my dad did everything he could for me. We went all‑in.”

From Watching to Racing: Jarno Lines Up for His Fourth Endurance Race

“The plan was to just watch the race,” he says about why he first came to the Nürburgring. “But JJ Motorsport got a last‑minute call‑off from one of their drivers.”

That’s how the unexpected drive for this year’s race came together. “I of course said yes, Who doesn’t want to drive this race!”

Jarno has raced with JJ Motorsport before and also competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2023 with Walkenhorst Motorsport in the BMW M4 GT4. That race was anything but easy. “Someone became sick, so instead of being three drivers we ended up with two. I drove more than half of the race. Still, we finished sixth — it was a good race.”

The former Walkenhorst driver has already completed the Zolder 24 Hours twice and the Nürburgring 24 Hours once. At just 22 years old, the Belgian is more than ready to attack one of the toughest races in the world. “I think it will definitely turn out fine.”