The 24 Hours of NürburgringCompetition·24 Hours of Nürburgring is renowned as a proving ground for the world's most powerful and advanced GT cars, with GT3 machinery from manufacturers like FerrariTeam·Ferrari, LamborghiniTeam·Lamborghini, PorscheTeam·Porsche, BMWTeam·BMW, and AudiTeam·Audi typically dominating the headlines. However, this year's endurance classic on the Nordschleife saw an unexpected contender capture the hearts of thousands of fans: the Dacia LoganTeam·Dacia Logan.
Car number 300, a first-generation Dacia LoganTeam·Dacia Logan entered by Ollis Garage RacingTeam·Ollis Garage Racing, defied expectations by reaching the finish line of the grueling 24-hour race. Initially classified 120th, the team's perseverance was rewarded with an adjusted final position of 107th after several faster, yet ultimately retired, crews were removed from the standings.
The journey of this particular Dacia LoganTeam·Dacia Logan began with a challenge. Team founder Oliver KriesePlayer·Oliver Kriese, following a discussion about the capabilities of Romanian automobiles, declared that a Logan was robust enough to endure the NürburgringVenue·Nürburgring 24 Hours. This commitment led to the development of a specialized vehicle, building on a racing package initially conceived by Renault Sport over two decades ago, which notably featured an enhanced suspension system.
While earlier iterations of Kriese's Logan project, including attempts in 2023 and 2025, ended in retirements and significant crashes, the team did achieve a notable 98th-place finish in 2021. That year, with popular YouTuber Misha CharoudinPlayer·Misha Charoudin among the drivers and utilizing the car's original engine, the Logan completed 41 laps in a race shortened to nine and a half hours due to adverse weather conditions.
The car that competed this past weekend was the second iteration from Ollis Garage. Driven by Oliver KriesePlayer·Oliver Kriese, Alex BeckerPlayer·Alex Becker, Christian GeilfussPlayer·Christian Geilfuss, and Robert NeumannPlayer·Robert Neumann, this Logan was significantly upgraded. It featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from the latest generation Renault Megane RSTeam·Renault Megane RS, producing 280 horsepower, paired with a transmission from a Renault Clio RSTeam·Renault Clio RS. These modifications placed the car in the SP 3T class, competing against six other vehicles, including TCR cars, an Audi TTTeam·Audi TT, and a modified Volkswagen Golf GTI ClubsportTeam·Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.
Despite these enhancements, the Logan's speed remained modest compared to the frontrunners. It maintained an average speed of 96 km/h throughout the race, with its best lap time recorded at 10:22.613 minutes. This was over a minute slower than the fastest lap in its class and significantly behind the overall fastest lap of 8:08.758 minutes, set by the second-place finishing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2Team·Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2.
The race was not without its dramatic moments for the Dacia. The team experienced multiple spins, incurred a penalty for an unauthorized U-turn, and battled persistent engine misfires and transmission issues. A particularly challenging incident occurred just three hours before the finish when the car left the track, impacting the safety barriers and losing its front left wheel. However, the Logan was recovered to the pits, where the dedicated team swiftly repaired the damage, allowing car number 300 to complete a total of 92 laps.
The team's unwavering determination resonated globally, transforming the blue sedan into an internet sensation. Social media platforms were inundated with images and videos of the Logan, often depicted alongside or ahead of top-tier competitors, including four-time Formula 1 world champion Max VerstappenPlayer·Max Verstappen. Fans at the NürburgringVenue·Nürburgring greeted the car's finish with a standing ovation, celebrating the spirit of the underdog.
Adding to its unique story, a portion of the team's budget for the 24 Hours of NürburgringCompetition·24 Hours of Nürburgring was raised through fan donations, with the names of supporters visibly inscribed on the car's roof. This collective effort underscores the profound connection forged between the team and its growing fanbase, promising even greater support for future endeavors on the Nordschleife.
The blue and green Dacia Logan #300 from Ollis Garage Racing races at the Nürburgring. (speedshot/IMAGO)
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