1995 Renault Twingo Takes on: The Incredible Nürburgring 24h project

The 2026 Nürburgring 24h is already promising big thrills. We know there will be a new contender on the grid… and no, it’s not a high-profile name or a brand-new GT3.
We’re talking about the Rauhracing Renault Twingo that believed in its dream all the way.

The story comes from Germany and is simply incredible. This car, originally designed in the 2000s to take kids to school for their grandma, about 20 years later, thanks to radical modifications and extremely strict tests conducted by the DMSB, will now compete in the world’s most famous endurance race.
But how did it manage to get there?

Read Also: Red Bull confirms Verstappen for the 24h Nurburgring. Probably Max Verstappen and the twingo will race together

RauhRacing, FIA safety inspections passed for the little Renault Twingo

The team behind this project is called Rauhracing. They describe themselves as a group that turns cars not built for the track into motorsport legends. From what we can see, they’re already well on their way to making history.

Just two days ago, their Renault Twingo underwent the rigorous FIA inspections to be certified as a competition car. This means the car meets all technical and safety certifications, granted after a thorough analysis by the DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund) lasting about two hours.

During the inspection, all safety systems were checked: roll bars, restraint systems, FIA-approved seats, and fire protection systems.
Not only that, but the fuel tank was carefully scrutinized to ensure it is certified and homologated for racing.

It will compete in SP3 class, between the SP9 GT3 class in the Nürburgring 24h

This process is exactly the same that all official GT3 cars leaving the factory undergo every year: in Germany, the DMSB law applies to everyone.
From the certifications, it emerged that the Twingo was placed in class SP3, the slowest class listed, while top teams compete in SP9, and GT4 cars in SP8 and SP10.

It will compete in the same class as the famous Dacia Logan and the historic Opel Manta with its iconic “fox tail”, a symbol that has stood proud for nearly 50 years.
The Twingo’s drivers also had to pass the same exam that Max Verstappen took a few months ago. In July, they completed laps with a dedicated instructor before competing in their first endurance race in the NLS series.

The Twingo’s racing debut took place yesterday at the Oschersleben circuit, in the NATC championship, a series featuring street cars modified and adapted for the track.

Technical data for competing at high levels (we love it).

So, what are the specs of this little racing car? Under the hood, the team installed the engine from the Renault Clio RS, producing around 200 horsepower, on a total weight of only 850 kg dry.
The result? A power-to-weight ratio of about 1:4, making the Twingo both nimble and extremely quick. Of course, its long-distance pace and reliability will need to be tested.

However, we are confident that with continuous track testing and development, there is still plenty of room to refine it in preparation for the big 2026 event, the Nürburgring 24h.
We can’t wait to see it in action on the over 20 km of the Nordschleife, dear old 1995 Twingo!