DUNLOP has released ‘Taking the Line’, an atmospheric short film centred on the 2026 ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring 24 Hours. The two-minute production follows the black-and-yellow DUNLOP Porsche 911 GT3 R, car number 17, and takes viewers on an emotive journey through one of the world’s most demanding endurance races.

Since the invention of the pneumatic tyre in 1888, DUNLOP has combined tradition with innovation. This same connection is at the heart of ‘Taking the Line’. Blending authentic motorsport footage with cutting-edge filmmaking techniques, the film tells a story of passion, perseverance and the moments that make motorsport truly special.

The cars, the race, the circuit – and the people that make it all possible

Filmed over the course of a week around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, the production involved two film crews capturing the action using digital cinema cameras, multiple action cameras, car-to-car tracking shots and aerial footage. The famously unpredictable weather and stunning scenery of the Eifel mountains adds to the drama, with fog, rain, spray and striking lighting conditions perfectly reflecting the unique character of the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The film does not focus solely on the racing. After the DUNLOP car was forced to retire, ‘Taking the Line’ turns its attention to the people behind the action, without whom the race would not be possible: the mechanics in the pit lane, the marshals, the support crews, the drivers and the fans who follow the race whatever the weather. The film also taps into DUNLOP’s own storied motorsport heritage.

Evropi Dionysiadou, Brand Communications Specialist at Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH and responsible for the production, said: “One of the film’s most memorable moments creates a bridge between the past and the present. As a tribute to DUNLOP’s heritage, a Porsche 962 C appears on the start-finish straight for a few seconds, bearing the same number 17 that raced at the Nürburgring on DUNLOP tyres in 1986 and 1987.”

Using advanced AI technology, this sequence was recreated from historical references and extensive visual documentation of the Nürburgring. No archive footage was used. Instead, the objective was to create a new and historically accurate representation of the car and link more than four decades of motorsport history.

Dennis Wilstermann, Marketing Manager at Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said: “With ‘Taking the Line’, DUNLOP underlines its deep roots in motorsport. For decades, experience gained in racing has been transferred into the development of road tyres, helping us create products capable of performing in the most demanding conditions and regularly earning recognition in independent tyre tests. An icon of 24-hour racing, DUNLOP has also contributed to 34 victories at Le Mans, a legacy that continues to inspire and drive us today.”

‘Taking the Line’ is available to watch now on DUNLOP’s YouTube channel and across its other social digital channels:

Instagram

Facebook

Tagged: 24-Hour Racing

Dunlop Unveils ‘Taking the Line’, a Short Film from the Nürburgring 24 Hours