37th Annual Nürburgring 24-Hour Race
ORIENT Sponsored SUBARU Impreza STI
Finished Race 33rd Overall, 5th in Class.

On May 21 to 24, the largest touring car endurance racing event in the world, the Nürburgring 24-hour race, was held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife (25 km/lap). The SUBARU Impreza STI, the SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL (STI) entry, which was sponsored by ORIENT WATCH CO.,LTD., finished 33rd overall, and 5th in the SP3T class.

The incredible length of the Nürburgring circuit course is a given, but the number of corners and the intense hilliness of the course puts it in a class of its own. The changeable weather and unstable road surface adds to this, making the circuit a course well known for its high level of difficulty.

ORIENT WATCH CO.,LTD. provided wristwatches for the STI staff participating in this grueling long-distance race, and tested the endurance of the watches as they completed the 24 hour battle together.

First driver Kazuo Shimizu started the race from a preliminary position of 74th overall and 8th in class. Trading off drivers every hour and a half, the team closed the gap separating them from their rivals. By the seven-hour mark, the team was 41st overall and 5th in class, but then the car was sent into a spin after contact with another vehicle. The body hit the guardrail and sustained damage to the suspension, losing 24 minutes and taking a large hit in the rankings.