Renger van der Zande impressed by HWA EVO.R at Nürburgring 24h: “It appeals to everyone”

For Renger van der Zande, the Nürburgring 24 Hours remains one of the most special events in motorsport. Even after years competing at the highest level of prototype racing in America, the Dutchman still finds himself drawn back to the Nordschleife, this time as part of one of the paddock’s most eye-catching projects: the HWA EVO.R.

The HWA EVO.R has quickly become one of the standout entries of this year’s ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring. Inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II, the car combines retro DTM styling with completely modern engineering underneath.

“You say it perfectly — it’s the origin of Mercedes,” Van der Zande explained to GT REPORT. “But it’s really an HWA car.

“It has the looks of a Mercedes 190E, but everything is completely new. The electronics, the bodywork, the chassis, the roll cage, the safety systems — everything.”

Van der Zande says the project has impressed him not only because of the car itself, but also because of the passion behind it.

“I’m incredibly impressed by HWA as a company and by what they’re doing,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic that they didn’t let go of the racing DNA.”

The HWA EVO.R has managed to attract attention far beyond the Nürburgring paddock.

“You can see that racing people love the project, but also people from the automotive world think it’s amazing,” he explained. “That’s exactly why it has such a big following. It appeals to everyone.”

Nürburgring still feels special

Although Van der Zande now spends most of his racing career in the United States, the Nürburgring remains one of the circuits he keeps returning to.

“Home is really in America,” he said. “But I always say that when I stop racing professionally, I’ll still keep driving on the Nordschleife.”

For Van der Zande, events such as the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the NLS continue to offer something unique.

“It’s a beautiful event. I love the circuit and I really enjoy the NLS races as well,” he explained. “I can drive here on Friday and be back home in Amsterdam on Saturday evening. These are events I definitely want to keep doing.”

Haribo memories in the rain

When asked about his favourite Nürburgring memory, Van der Zande immediately recalled a chaotic last-minute call-up with the famous Haribo Racing Mercedes-AMG programme.

“I got called by Haribo on Friday evening asking if I could be at the circuit the next morning,” he recalled. “I drove to the Nürburgring late that night, did three qualifying laps the next morning and put the car P3.”

What followed became one of his most memorable Nordschleife drives.

“Then I drove into the lead in the rain with the Haribo Mercedes-AMG,” he said. “Those are the kinds of memories that stay with you.”

For the Dutchman, that competitive element is what matters most at the Nürburgring.

“The practice sessions aren’t really the exciting part for me,” Van der Zande admitted. “Racing is why I’m in this sport. That was just a perfect day.”