{"id":433343,"date":"2026-05-18T12:31:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T12:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/433343\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T12:31:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T12:31:21","slug":"how-a-dacia-logan-became-unlikely-hero-of-nurburgring-24-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/433343\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Dacia Logan became unlikely hero of Nurburgring 24 Hours"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"The
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Dacia Logan won the hearts of fans around the world during the Nurburgring 24 Hour. Image: Gruppe C Photography<\/p>\n

The underpowered Romanian machine was the cult hero of the race, capturing significant internet attention.<\/p>\n

Invoking similar fan response as the Toyota Camry raced at the Bathurst 6 Hour in recent years, the car gained new cult hero status during its third attempt at the race, due in part to the increased audience thanks to Max Verstappen\u2019s entry.<\/p>\n

One of seven cars in the SP 3T class, the Logan boasted a 280hp turbocharged engine. It was fitted ahead of the 2024 event, when the current Logan replaced its predecessor that had been destroyed in a crash.<\/p>\n

Battling against four TCR machines, an Audi TT, and a specialised VW Gold GTI Clubsport, the Logan finished sixth in its class and 107th outright from 159 starters.<\/p>\n

The car quickly became the subject of internet humour, particularly when it missed an oil slick while GT3 machines speared off the road behind it.<\/p>\n

It had several off-track excursions both during the race and in the lead up, including a spin in the middle of the Carousel corner, catching out several GT contenders.<\/p>\n

With just over three hours remaining in the race, the Logan lost its left front wheel, forcing it to be towed back to the pit lane on the brake rotor.<\/p>\n

The team set about repairing the car and it was able to finish on track, completing 92 laps of the Nurburgring.<\/p>\n

With a quickest lap time of 10m22.613s at an average speed of 96km\/h, the Logan was faster than several production-based entries that finished ahead of it, however was still over one minute slower than the fastest lap in its class.<\/p>\n

The fastest lap of the race outright was an 8m08.758s, set by the second place #84 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO 2.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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