Lionspeed GP's N24 preparations ramp us as second 992 GT3 R is confirmed for NBR 24H

Lionspeed GP’s N24 preparations ramp us as second 992 GT3 R is confirmed for NBR 24H

Lionspeed GP’s N24 preparations continue
Team to take on Saturday race of N24 Qualifiers
Kyle Tilley, Jake Hill join Patrick Kolb in No. 18 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo

Lionspeed GP is taking on the next part of its preparations for the 54th running of the ADAC RAVENOL 24H Nürburgring with an entry into this weekend’s N24 Qualifiers.

The Qualifiers, which also serve as rounds four and five of the NLS season, are a key part in the buildup to the Eifel endurance classic, giving spectators a first glimpse of what is to come in June.

Lionspeed will compete at the event with the No. 18 Porsche 911 GT3 R Evo, which will compete in the SP9 Pro-Am category. The lineup for the Qualifiers is one with a broad racing background as Kyle Tilley (GBR) teams up with team principal Patrick Kolb (GER) and Jake Hill (GBR). The trio will contest Saturday’s four-hour race as preparation for the N24 itself, where they will also run in the SP9 Pro-Am category.

Tilley should be no stranger to Lionspeed fans, having previously contested the Gulf 12 Hours with the team at the tail end of 2024. Born in the UK, but now based out of Indianapolis, Tilley is an accomplished racing driver that has competed in both modern and historic machinery. Most notably,he achieved notable success in LMP2, taking both a class victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona as well as the LMP2-Am title in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2021.

Hill, also hailing from the United Kingdom, is a new addition to the Lionspeed family. The 32-year-old is best known for his success in touring car racing, winning the British Touring Car Championship in 2024. Since then, he has turned his attention to GT3 racing, driving alongside Tilley in the Michelin 24H Series with Era Motorsport.

Both Tilley and Hill secured their Nordschleife A-Permit with Lionspeed previously and are now ready to take on the prospect of GT3 competition at the Green Hell. Joining them is Lionspeed team principal Kolb, who has plenty of experience at the Nordschleife. He most recently took a class SP9 Pro-Am victory at the N24 in 2024, in what was Lionspeed’s first season as an independent GT racing operation.

Since then, the team has grown rapidly and is now in the midst of its most ambitious season to date. As part of its expanded program, its N24 efforts will be spearheaded by a Pro entry driven by Porsche stars Laurens Vanthoor (BEL), Laurin Heinrich (GER) and Ricardo Feller (CHE).