Markert and Harbeck edge closer to RCN title

The seventh round of the Rundstrecken-Challenge Nürburgring (RCN) 2026 took place in late summer conditions at the Nürburgring. The endurance test, titled "Preis der Erftquelle", stretched nearly 400 kilometres over 16 laps of the Nordschleife combined with the GP short loop, attracting more than 150 teams.

Michael Luther and Markus Schmickler, driving a BMW M4 GT4, secured their fourth victory of the season. The pair from Barsbüttel and Bad Neuenahr navigated traffic cleanly throughout the race. "The track conditions were good, and we managed to get through the traffic without any issues," Schmickler reflected. David Vogt, piloting an Opel Astra TCR, mounted a strong challenge but ultimately had to concede to the leading duo. Vogt took second place overall and won his class. Andreas Schwarz completed the podium in third, scoring his first top-three finish of the season in his Seat Leon Cup Racer.

In the H3 class, Sven Markert and Lars Harbeck from Berlin moved significantly closer to their first RCN title with victory number six in their category. "The display in the car malfunctioned at the start, but everything ran smoothly after that," Markert said. "We want to win the class again at the final round, and if that brings us the title, we would be delighted." Their main rivals, Jens Schneider and Robin Reimer, suffered a costly pit-stop error that resulted in a time penalty, leaving them sixth in the R4 class and with only a slim chance of catching Markert and Harbeck in the championship fight. "We made a team mistake, which was frustrating, but these things happen in motorsport," Schneider acknowledged.

RCN series manager Willi Hillebrand praised the event: "It was a fantastic day. The weather cooperated, and we had a large grid. The title will be decided at the final round, and we are looking forward to it."