Thanks to the Eifel's notoriously changeable weather, the team that won last year's Super Sports Car League secured a dramatic victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with Connor De Phillippi (24), Christopher Mies (28, DEU), Kelvin van der Linde (20, ZA) and Markus Winkelhock (36, DEU), who all compete in the ADAC GT Masters. The team from Niederdreisbach to the east of Bonn dominated proceedings throughout but suffered a major setback with less than a couple of hours to go. Wolfgang Land's team had led the field for 125 laps, or some 3,172 kilometres, when an engine sensor began to cause problems. Attempts to resolve the issue were made in the course of two pit stops but were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, the Audi bearing start number #29 continued in second place. As rain began to fall just before the end, Land Audi Sport were the first of the leading teams to switch to full wets - a decision that paid off. Kelvin van der Linde took P1 in the rain. The South African, who triumphed in the 2014 ADAC GT Masters, also won the 45th edition of this endurance race in the end along with his team-mates. This was for Land Audi Sport, van der Linde and De Phillippi their maiden victory while Christopher Mies was able to notch up his second and Markus Winkelhock his third success in the Eifel.

Van der Linde: "I'm just lost for words. We led for a very long time and didn't make any mistakes. The whole team worked flawlessly, but then came the final two hours of the race. When the problem on the car cropped up and I saw the faces in the pits, I actually felt quite devastated. But we continued to do our best, and that paid off. Luck obviously played a part, but that's racing. Our dream came true."

Christopher Mies, who won the ADAC GT Masters together with Connor De Phillippi and Montaplast by Land-Motorsport in 2016, was also delighted with the win: "I don't really know what to say. We led the race for 22 hours and then we suddenly had a problem. Still, we managed to retake the lead on the last lap. I never saw that one coming. It was a big surprise. Still, I think we deserved to win. The team and my team-mates were just great."

More than 20 ADAC GT Masters drivers took part in this year's 24-hour race.