Circuit Zolder in Belgium hosted the second round of the FIA GT Series last weekend. The main Championship Race on sunday saw an epic battle for the lead, which whent to the checkered flag. The battle was between the Audi R8 LMS ultra (Belgian Audi Club Team WRT) of local hero, Laurens Vanthoor, and the Lamborghini Gallardo (Reiter Engineering) of Slovakian driver Stephan Rozina. Audi didn't win in the end, but here is an extraordinary and very fair fight to the finish line, one of the most exciting GT battles in recent years.
The 41st edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours is set for May. The ADAC has published the provisional entry list for the demanding enduro event at the legendary Nordschleife. Audi won the 2012 race outright for the first time, an 1-2 Audi R8 LMS ultra victory with Audi Sport Team Phoenix ahead of the privateer Mamerow Racing. This year eight R16 cars will enter the top SP9 class for GT3 racers, entered by five different teams.
Phoenix Racing, the defending team champion, will have three cars. Two will be entered as G Drive Racing by Phoenix with the #1 Audi R8 LMS ultra for the 2012 winners Marc Basseng, Frank Stippler and Markus Winkelhock, the fourth driver will be the two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Marcel Fässler. The #3 for Audi veteran Frank Biela joined by youngsters Christer Joens, Luca Ludwig and Russian driver Roman Rusinov. The third car will be the #4 for the Stuck brothers, Ferdinand and Johannes, joined by Michael Ammermüller and Frank Stippler.
Prosperia C.Abt Team Mamerow, who have a very strong effort with Audi in the ADAC GT Masters, is entering a single car. The #3 Audi R8 LMS ultra will be in the hands of team owner Christian Abt joined by the three fast drivers. René Rast the three time Porsche Supercup champion and 2012 Spa 24 Hours winner. Oliver Jarvis who has already won the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona GT class with an Audi R8 GRAND-AM and the 2013 12 Hours of Sebring outright with an Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The fourth driver is Christian Mamerow who finished second last year.
Belgian Audi Club Team WRT is again very busy this year, in both the FIA GT Series and Blanpcain Endurance Series, where they are doing very well. As in 2012 only one car will be entered in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, with very strong driver line-up. The #29 Audi R8 LMS ultra will be driven by Laurens Vanthoor, who is leading the FIA GT Series points standing, the 2012 BES champions Christopher Haase and Christopher Mies, the fourth driver is Edward Sandstom. Last year was a first attempt for WRT, but this year WRT are clearly targeting the overall win.
The fourth Audi team is Audi race experience. The effort is run by TKL Motorsport and will have two cars. #14 Audi R8 LMS ultra will have Marco Werner as the leader, joined by Christian Bollrath, Piérre Ehret and Peter Venn. The sister #15 is for the Swiss Audi Sport factory driver and rookie at the event, Rahel Frey, she is sharing the car with Dominique Bastien and Ronnie Saurenmann.
The fifth and final team is Twin Busch Motorsport, a fully privateer effort and a regular team in the VLN Endurance Series. Last year they raced an old spec Audi R8 LMS (ex Abt Sportsline), this year they aquired a brand new 2013 spec R16.
The eight Audi R8 LMS ultra cars will face world class competition from different brands and teams, all of them capable of taking the outright honours. The opposition includes Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz AMG and Aston Martin Racing.
The provisional Nürburgring 24 Hours entry list is here.
First fielding of three Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars
Premiere of a new aerodynamic variant
Last race preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours
Ingolstadt, April 25, 2013 – Audi is pursuing ambitious aims at round 2 of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) on May 4 at Spa. The version of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that was victorious at the season opener is to extend Championship leader Audi’s points advantage. At the same time, a new long-tail variant of the hybrid sports car will be tested in Belgium. Audi Sport Team Joest thus wants to optimally prepare for the Le Mans 24 Hours, the pinnacle of the season for the sports prototypes held on June 22 and 23.
Comparison in racing conditions: Two versions of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that, also visually, can be clearly distinguished from each other will be running at Spa. The winners of the opening round, Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB), and the current World Endurance Champions Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F), will be starting with the aerodynamic variant that was victorious at Silverstone. It generates optimal downforce for track types such as the 7.004-kilometer circuit at Spa.
The third Audi R18 e-tron quattro, driven by Marc Gené/Lucas di Grassi/Oliver Jarvis (E/BR/GB), on the other hand uses an aero package that has been optimized for the high-speed Le Mans track and can be recognized by its lengthened rear section. The comparison, however, is not focused on absolute lap times. Instead, the team will analyze the time differences to be expected between both models on individual track sectors. In addition, practical aspects of using the second body version will be reviewed and data generated for the fielding in the race at Le Mans.
The focal point of the spectators’ interest will yet again be the thrilling battle between World Champion Audi and challenger Toyota. In the seven meetings that have taken place since last June, the score is at 4-3 for the sports cars from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm in the competition with Japan. The Spa 6 Hours will be held on Saturday of the first weekend in May. The TV channel Eurosport will cover selected stages of the race whereas the full racing distance can be watched on audi-liveracing.com on the internet.
Topics of the weekend
- Will Duval/Kristensen/McNish be able to extend their lead of the standings? - How well will the World Champions Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer fare? - How will the battle with Toyota develop? - Which manufacturer will travel to Le Mans with a points advantage?
Quotes by the officials
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport: “As always, Audi will be using the race at Spa as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Spa is a race track with a character that’s completely different from Silverstone. We thoroughly reviewed the first race of the season and accomplished our tasks in order to be well prepared for the second round of the WEC. Fielding the Le Mans aero variant on the third vehicle that hasn’t been optimized for the lap times at Spa is an important element of the preparation for the 24-hour race.” Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest: “The comparison with our competitor will start from scratch again at Spa. We can expect our opponent Toyota to compete with the latest technological update. For the first time this year, we’ll be running with three cars. That means more work for our team. Spa’s a great track and a race that definitely belongs on the WEC calendar. The new Audi R18 e-tron quattro was immediately reliable and fast.” Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Marcel Fässler (36/CH), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Drove the fastest race lap at Spa a year ago - Had to admit defeat at Silverstone by only 3.4 seconds “Spa’s one of my favorite tracks. In the LMP sports car, the circuit is a fantastic challenge. Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and the fast downhill double left-hand turn are particularly nice. Plus I like the ambience in Belgium extremely well.”
André Lotterer (31/D), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Regards Spa as his ‘home’ track - Is the runner-up in the standings after the 2013 season opener “I grew up in Belgium and went to the track as a child. That’s why Spa is always special for me. It’s a fast track that should be suiting our car well. My two team-mates really enjoy driving there too. I’m hoping for us to be able to reverse the order of the top two results of the Silverstone weekend.”
Benoît Tréluyer (36/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Winner of the 2013 Sebring 12 Hours - The World Champion was the runner-up in Belgium last year “For my team-mate André Lotterer, Spa is a ‘home’ track in a way. We’ll be running for the first time now in this year’s R18 e-tron quattro and the new tires on this track. Of course we’d like to be on the podium again right after Silverstone – ideally on the top though.”
Loïc Duval (30/F), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Won the Spa 6 Hours in the Audi R18 ultra last year - Leads the standings with his team-mate after the success at Silverstone “I achieved my first victory with Audi at Spa last year. In May, the weather in the Ardennes is often unstable. Together with Allan and Tom I’d like to repeat the success at Silverstone and extend our World Championship lead.” Tom Kristensen (45/DK), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - The Dane achieved his first victory of the season at Silverstone - Ten years ago, he won at Spa in the Audi R8 “Spa for us drivers, the cars and the teams is a huge challenge. It’s a typical track from a different era with many vertical differences and corresponding compressions, with blind turns and frequently changing weather. The mechanics and all the other team members did an outstanding job at Silverstone. The pit stops and strategy were good. Spa’s our last preparation in racing conditions before the biggest competition of the year at Le Mans.”
Allan McNish (43/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Achieved the fastest time in qualifying at Spa last year - At the WEC opener in England, celebrated his first victory in an R18 e-tron quattro “I always enjoy driving again at Spa. The track follows the topography in an ideal way. That’s a hallmark of many good circuits. Some of the world’s nicest corners are found at Spa, such as Eau Rouge or Pouhon. The races there are always thrilling, partially due to the weather but also because there are always surprises. The track is rough on the drivers, the car and the tires. In addition, we’re expecting the competition at Spa to be tough due to Toyota. We drivers and our engineers have found a very good rhythm of working together.”
Marc Gené (39/E), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Won the race at Spa on making his Audi debut a year ago - Has celebrated three sports car victories at Spa since 2008 “I’m looking forward to one of my favorite tracks that I’ve won at three times before. For us, it’s the big preparation for Le Mans. The weather’s often unpredictable. For Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi and me, it’s the only opportunity to adjust to each other in racing conditions. Until now, I’ve only driven the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in tests. I’d like to repeat last year’s victory.”
Lucas di Grassi (28/BR), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Is starting his third sports car race with Audi - Was the runner-up in the Sebring 12 Hours in March “I’m experiencing my first WEC race in 2013 at Spa. I’ve got fond memories of this legendary circuit from GP2 and Formula 1. There’s no nicer track if you’re running in a fast car. I’ll be starting with two different team-mates than I did at Sebring. We’ll be able to gear up now for the biggest task of the year in racing conditions.”
Oliver Jarvis (29/GB), Audi R18 e-tron quattro #3 (Audi Sport Team Joest) - Celebrated a class victory with Audi at Daytona in January - Won the Sebring 12 Hours in March “My sports car career in Audi’s factory team began a year ago at Spa. We immediately took a podium. It’s a great feeling to return now. After a good race at Sebring I’m traveling to Spa even better prepared than I was twelve months ago. For the first time, I’m running with my two new team-mates. And we’re developing the car with special aerodynamics for Le Mans. That’ll be our personal warm-up for the 24-hour race.”
The Audi drivers at Spa
Loïc Duval (F): * June 12, 1982 in Chartres (F); residence: Tokyo (J); single (partner Gaëlle), one son (Hugo); height: 1.78 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 4; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 1
Marcel Fässler (CH): * May 27, 1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH); married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael and Delia); height: 1.78 m; weight: 78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 2
Marc Gené (E): * March 03, 1974 in Sabadell (E); residence: Barcelona (E); single, one son (Patrick) and one daughter (Sienna); height: 1.73 m; weight: 69 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 1; WEC races: 2; WEC victories: 1; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 1
Lucas di Grassi (BR): * August 11, 1984 in São Paulo (BR); residence: Monaco (MC); single; height: 1.79 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2012; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 1; WEC victories: 0; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: – Oliver Jarvis (GB): * January 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Burwell (GB); single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 0; WEC races: 2; WEC victories: 0; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 3
Tom Kristensen (DK): * July 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Hobro (DK); single (partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald), one daughter (Carla Marlou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000, Le Mans victories: 8; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 2; WEC pole positions: 0; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 4 André Lotterer (D): * November 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J); single; height: 1.84 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 2
Allan McNish (GB): * December 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte Amelie); height: 1.65 m; weight: 60 kg; Audi driver in 2000, since 2004; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 2; WEC pole positions: 2; fastest WEC laps: 1; best result WEC Spa: 4 Benoît Tréluyer (F): * December 07, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to Melanie, one son (Jules); height: 1.78 m; weight: 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 2; WEC races: 9; WEC victories: 3; WEC pole positions: 1; fastest WEC laps: 0; best result WEC Spa: 2
Track length: 7.004 km Race duration: 6 hours Qualifying record on this track: Sébastien Bourdais, Peugeot, 1m 57.884s = 213.892 km/h (May 08, 2010) Race record on this track: Franck Montagny, Peugeot, 1m 59.797s = 210.476 km/h (May 09, 2010) Pole position 2012: Allan McNish, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, 2m 01.579s = 207.391 km/h (May 04, 2012) Fastest lap 2012: Marcel Fässler, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, 2m 01.851s = 206.928 km/h (May 05, 2012)
Marc Gené about the track at Spa
“I love Spa with its unique turns and vertical differences. There’s no other place where you can feel the centrifugal forces within your body as much as you can in Eau Rouge. Spa is the second-longest track after Le Mans and the weather is always changeable in the Ardennes. Eau Rouge remains the greatest single challenge. In Formula 1, due to the smaller engines and lower weight, you run flat-out there but in the heavier sports car Eau Rouge is even more extreme. Good overtaking opportunities exist in La Source, in front of Les Combes, in the double left-hand turn, on the Fagnes passage and in the chicane before the start and finish. The tarmac provides outstanding grip which is why slicks even work well when the track is slightly damp. In 2012, I celebrated my third sports car victory on this track with my team-mates.”
Schedule
Friday, May 3 09:00–11:00 Free practice 1 14:30–16:30 Free practice 2 19:30–20:00 Qualifying LMP1 and LMP2
Saturday, May 4 09:00–09:20 Warm-up 14:30–20:30 6-hour race
PK Carsport is one of the most prestigious and successful sportscar teams from Belgium. The team was revived this year after many years of absence. They have chosen to compete in the Belgian Racing Car Championship with the Audi R8 LMS.
Last weekend Circuit Zolder hosted the first round of the BRCC, a support event to the FIA GT Series. It was a perfect debut for PK Carsport with Audi. They qualified in fifth place. With the 2010 spec R8 LMS (ex Team Rosberg) of Anthony Kumpen, Bert Longin and Maarten Makelberge they won the 90 minutes endurance race, less than five seconds ahead the second placed Porsche 996 GT3-RS from ProSpeed Competition.
Anthony Kumpen, who also raced in the FIA GT Series on the same weekend with Phoenix Racing, was delighted after this fantastic victory: "I am very happy to finish this superb weekend on the highest step of the podium." (quotes sourced from BRCC)
The second round of the BRCC will be in France at Circuit Dijon-Prenois in May, with the three PK Carsport Audi drivers leading the overall points standings.
One of the two new Audi teams for the 2013 ADAC GT Masters season is YACO Racing. The team raced in the German GT series last year with a Reiter Engineering built Chevrolet Camaro GT3, with very mixed result. This year they have decided to switch to the Audi R8 LMS ultra.
A single car will compete in the eight-round calendar. The YACO car will carry the number #16 and will be shared by Philip Geipel and Dino Lunardi. Philip Geipel raced for the team last year with the Camaro. Dino Lunardi is of course the 2011 ADAC GT Masters champion with Alpina BMW, a team who he competed for last year as well.
The opening round of the ADAC GT Masters is set at Oschersleben this weekend. The YACO Racing Audi will be one of six R8 LMS ultra cars entering the event, three from Prosperia C.Abt Racing and two from MS Racing.
Rob Austin Racing faced a very hard British Touring Car Championship weekend at Donington Park. Both Audi A4 NGTC cars of Rob Austin and Will Bratt were extremely unlucky with very mixed results in all three races. Here is a selection of great photos from Donington Park by our friend Phill Laughton.
Prosperia C.Abt Racing will enter a third additional Audi R8 LMS ultra for the 2013 ADAC GT Masters. The car will be shared by Audi regulars Rahel Frey and Markus Winkelhock.
Rahel Frey will debut in the top German GT series and in the team as well. The Swiss factory Audi driver is having a very busy 2013 season with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. In addition to the ADAC GT Masters she is racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and in the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup.
During 2011 Markus Winkelhock competed at selected events in the ADAC GT Masters, with the Swiss Novidem team. He and Rahel Frey will both be debuting with Prosperia C.Abt Racing. He is also taking part in the Blancpain Endurance Series for team Phoenix Racing. Markus Winkelhock is of course the reigning FIA GT1 World Championship champion and the 2012 overall winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours with Audi.
Both drivers are joining a world class effort at Prosperia C.Abt Racing, the other two cars are in the hands of René Rast/Christopher Mies and Chrisitan Mamerow/Christer Jöns. The ADAC GT Masters season opener is set at Oschersleben next weekend. No doubts that Prosperia C.Abt Racing will be among the big favourites.
