Team KCMG is delighted to announce its line-up for the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours, with previous winners David Pittard and Jesse Krohn joined by Nirei Fukuzumi and Naoya Gamou, forming a strong quartet.
All drivers have shown excellent pace around the fearsome Nordschleife this year during the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie, with the squad taking a best finish of fourth at NLS3, a race in which it also claimed pole position.
The Hong Kong-based team then continued its preparation for the big race in the 24h Nürburgring Qualifiers earlier this month, fielding the N24 drivers and setting competitive lap times throughout.
Considered one of the toughest races in motorsport, the drivers will pilot the #47 Mercedes-AMG GT3 around the 25-kilometre circuit, known as the ‘Green Hell’. The 2026 event is the 54th running of the famous enduro, with KCMG tackling it for a sixth time.
Schedule (UTC+2)
Thursday
Qualifying 1 – 13:15-15:15
Qualifying 2 – 20:00-23:30
Friday
Top Quali 1 – 08:50-09:25
Top Quali 2 – 09:45-10:20
Qualifying 3 – 10:35-11:50
Top Quali 3 – 13:35-14:35
Saturday
Warm-up – 10:00-11:00
Race start – 15:00
DAVID PITTARD
“It’s been a short but successful preparation programme for this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours. Together we set up a new car, team and multiple new drivers. I’m very proud and thankful for everyone’s efforts and commitment to get us to this point! I’m hoping for a clean weekend, if we can achieve that, we have the speed to come back with a competitive result! I can’t wait!”
JESSE KROHN
“It has been a busy start to the year with lots of productive work done in the preparation races leading up to the big one. This is the highlight of the year, and I couldn’t be happier going into the 24-hour enduro with KCMG and my teammates. We have a competitive car and now it is all about maximising our chances and executing like we know we can. I have full trust in the crew!”
NIREI FUKUZUMI
“I’m excited to be able to participate in the Nürburgring 24 Hours for the first time. I’m still learning the circuit, but I will do my best with this amazing team!”
NAOYA GAMOU
“I’m delighted to be racing at the Nürburgring 24 Hours for KCMG. I will do my best to contribute to the team in any way I can, and I sincerely appreciate the support.”
MATT HOWSON TEAM MANAGER
“This season has been one of the most challenging so far for KCMG, with limited time to learn a new car, integrate new drivers and team members whilst preparing for one of the world’s most difficult endurance races, the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Despite these challenges the team and drivers have done a phenomenal job, displaying the potential to fight at the front in each NLS event and at the N24 Qualifiers. With our strong driver line-up of Nirei, Naoya, Jesse and David we will be focusing on a clean and consistent race. This event and circuit are unpredictable and unforgiving, but I have every confidence the KCMG team and drivers are ready to deliver on their potential!”
PAUL IP KCMG FOUNDER
“Preparing for the Nürburgring 24 Hours is never easy, and this year has been especially intense with a new car, drivers and a tight timeline. I’m very proud of the commitment and progress shown by the entire KCMG team. We have proven in the NLS races and N24 Qualifiers that we have the pace to compete at the front. Now, it is about staying disciplined, executing cleanly and respecting the challenge of this unique race. The Nürburgring always rewards consistency and teamwork. If we put everything together, I’m confident we can achieve a strong result.”
Media enquiries: Cristina Villar
Email address: cristina@kcmg.com.hk
For more information about KCMG please visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of all the latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow on X and Instagram.
About KCMG
KC Motorgroup Ltd (KCMG) is an international motorsport services group established in 2007 by Paul Ip. The group, with its headquarters located in Hong Kong, has operations reaching across the Asia Pacific region. KCMG operates closely with many partner companies and racing organisations around the world to provide unrivalled motorsport services, equipment, team management and quality distribution in the automotive industry. For more information on all of the team’s activities please visit www.kcmg.com.hk or email info@kcmg.com.hk.
