N24: Five Audi teams rely on the R8 LMS ultra in the Nürburgring 24 Hours

Audi Press Release

•          Le Mans winners and GT World Champions in 24-hour race
•          Five Audi customer teams compete with eight Audi R8 LMS ultra cars
•          Qualification race on April 5 and 6 to be held for the first time 

Ingolstadt, April 4, 2014 – Le Mans winners, GT World Champions, a stratosphere jumper and strong customer teams – they all rely on the Audi R8 LMS ultra in the 42nd running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. For the first time, several teams will be competing in a qualification race on the first weekend in April.

With 190 participants from around the world the 24-hour race in the ‘Green Hell’ of the Nürburgring Nordschleife on June 21 and 22 marks a highlight on the motorsport calendar of fans and drivers. Like last year, five Audi teams, supported by Audi Sport customer racing, will be putting a total of eight Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid of the classic ‘marathon’ in the Eifel.

The 24-hour race will be preceded by a ‘little brother.’ In the qualification race on the 25.378-kilometer version of the Nürburgring on April 5 and 6, the teams will have a valuable opportunity for testing without the pressure of a championship. Many of the teams that will be running in the 24-hour race are using the event with its free practice and two qualifying sessions plus the six-hour race to prepare for the main event. In the qualification race, the organizers will be awarding ten of the total of 30 grid positions for the top-30 qualifying session in June that will decide the starting order for the 24-hour race. In addition, drivers will be able to demonstrate that they possess the Nordschleife routine required by the regulations. Last weekend, Audi managed a good beginning of the season on the Nordschleife when Marc Basseng/Frank Stippler/Laurens Vanthoor (D/D/B) in the Audi R8 LMS ultra won the first round of the Endurance Championship.

As in the past years, the Audi line-up for the 24-hour race consists of high-caliber drivers. Four former Le Mans winners – Frank Biela (D), Marcel Fässler (CH), Stéphane Ortelli (MC) and Marco Werner (D) – with a total of eleven victories in the classic French ‘marathon’ under their belt, are driving the Audi R8 LMS ultra. The former GT1 World Champions Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock plus the current FIA GT Champion Laurens Vanthoor (B) and the three-time Porsche Supercup Champion René Rast (D) complete the line-up. In addition, the field includes the current Audi DTM driver Nico Müller (CH) and the former DTM driver Rahel Frey (CH) as well as seasoned Nordschleife campaigners. Following his stratosphere jump, extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner (A) has found a new challenge. He opted for the Audi R8 LMS ultra of the Audi race experience and will be making his debut on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Five former winners of the 24-hour race are relying on Audi as well. Marc Basseng (D), Christopher Haase (D), Frank Stippler (D) and Markus Winkelhock (D), who in 2012 celebrated the first victory of the Audi R8 LMS ultra at the Nürburgring, will be on the grid in the 570-hp GT3 race car again in 2014. Nicki Thiim (DK), one of the 2013 winners, will be contesting the race in an Audi R8 LMS ultra for the first time.

The Audi customer teams in the 2014 Nürburgring 24 Hours: 

Phoenix Racing
Marc Basseng/Marcel Fässler/Frank Stippler/Laurens Vanthoor (D/CH/D/B)
Christopher Haase/Chris Mamerow/René Rast/Markus Winkelhock (D/D/D/D)

Prosperia C. Abt Racing
Marco Seefried/Peter Terting/NN/NN (D/D)
Christer Jöns/Christopher Mies/Nicki Thiim/NN (D/D/DK)

Audi race experience
Dominique Bastien/Christian Bollrath/Christiaan Frankenhout/Rahel Frey (USA/D/NL/CH)
Felix Baumgartner/Frank Biela/Pierre Kaffer/Marco Werner (A/D/D/D)

G-Drive Racing
Nico Müller/Stéphane Ortelli/Roman Rusinov/Edward Sandström (CH/MC/RUS/S)

Twin Busch Motorsport
Dennis Busch/Marc Busch/Manuel Lauck (D/D/D)

Photo credit: Audi Communications - Motorsport

Video: Behind the scenes at Audi Sport customer racing + quattro GmbH

By Johan Laubscher

DRIVE has released their latest video part of the "Inside quattro GmbH" series. This video features a twenty-one minute look into the world of Audi Sport customer racing. 

Leo Parente tours through the Audi Sport customer racing facilities and speaks with key personal, including Jürgen Zürn and Romolo Liebchen.

It is a very insightful video and is well worth the watch. We have embedded the video below:

Photo credit: Screenshot from the DRIVE video

Video: Team Audi R8 LMS ultra 2013 GT Asia teams' champions

By Tarek Ramchani

2013 was a great year for the Audi brand in the GT Asia Series. Team Audi R8 LMS ultra (Absolute Racing) won the teams' title after great racing on track all season long.Absolute Racing managed three fast Audi R8 LMS ultra cars and achieved several podiums and an Audi 1-2 finish at Fuji Speedway.

Our 2013 GT Asia Audi teams full season review can be seen here.

Here is a look back at Team Audi R8 LMS ultra's successful 2013 season with this nice video.

Photo credit: Absolute Racing

Gallery: Best of the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona

By Tarek Ramchani

The Audi teams performed well at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in Daytona last weekend. The Audi R8 LMS was the fastest car within a very demanding GT Daytona class.

Day 1 report is here.
Day 2 report is here.
Day 3 report is here.

Our friends at motorsport.com were on site and provided great coverage of the event. Here is a selection of great photos featuring the Audi R8 LMS at Daytona.

The full motorsport.com photo gallery of the Daytona tests is here.

Photo credit: Motorsport.com

TUSC: Audi teams performed well again in day 2 of the Daytona tests

By Tarek Ramchani

As was the case in day 1, the Audi teams performed very well in the second day of TUDOR United SportsCar Championship's Roar Before the Rolex 24 tests at Daytona. It was a titanic battle in all four sessions of the day in the demanding GT Daytona class between the different brands and teams. All four Audi Sport customer racing teams showed great pace with very fast Audi R8 LMS cars.

In third session three Audi R8 LMS cars made it into the top 10 within GT Daytona class. The best ranked Audi R8 LMS was the #45 car from Flying Lizard Motorsport in fourth place with a fastest time of 1:48.472. The #48 Audi from Paul Miller Racing was fifth. The #46 Audi from Fall-Line Motorsports was eighth. The #35 Audi from Flying Lizard Motorsports was twenty-fifth and the #32 Audi from GMG Racing was twenty-sixth.

The third session results can be seen here.

In the fourth session, the Audi R8 LMS returned to the top with the #48 Audi from Paul Miller Racing. The car shared by drivers René Rast, Christopher Haase, Matt Bell and Bryce Miller set a fastest time of 1:48.535. The #32 Audi from GMG Racing was fifth. The #35 Audi from Flying Lizard Motorsports was fourteenth. The #46 Audi from Fall-Line Motorsports was twenty-third. The #45 Audi from Flying Lizard Motorsports did not take part in the session.

The fourth session results can be seen here.

The Audi cars showed strong performances again in the fifth session. The #45 Audi from Flying Lizard Motorsports finished in a good second place. The car driven by Nelson Canache Jr, Spencer Pumpelly, Tim Pappas and Markus Winkelhock with a fastest time of 1:48.459 right behind the leading Porsche 911 GT America. The sister #35 Audi was eighth fastest. The #46 Audi from Fall-Line Motorsports was sixteenth. The #32 Audi from GMG Racing was eighteenth. The #48 Audi from Paul Miller Racing did not take part in the session.

The fifth session results can be seen here.

The sixth and final session of the day was another good one for Audi teams with four Audi R8 LMS cars within the top 10. The #45 from Flying Lizard Motorsports was again the leading Audi car in a strong second and a fastest time of 1:48.640. The sister #35 car was fourth. #48 Audi from Paul Miller Racing was fifth. The #32 Audi from GMG Racing was tenth. The #46 Audi from Fall-Line Motorsports did not take part in the session

The sixth session results can be seen here.

TUSC teams will return today for the final two sessions in the Roar Before the Rolex 24 weekend.

Photo credit: Motorsport.com

Q&A: Interview with Christopher Haase - Audi GT factory driver

By Tarek Ramchani

Christopher Haase had a busy and very strong 2013 season, racing for different Audi Sport customer racing teams in different series and endurance events in Europe. From the Blancpain Endurance Series with Phoenix Racing to the ADAC GT Masters with Prosperia C.Abt Racing and appearances in selected endurance events, as well as testing the GTD spec Audi R8 LMS in America.

We were pleased to have an interview with Christopher Haase. A very interesting Q/A about his debut with the Audi brand in GT racing, the 2013 season and his expectations for 2014.

You can follow Christopher Haase on Facebook here and his official website here.

1) Please tell us how it all started for you with Audi in GT racing.

Oh yeah, good story. I try to make it short. :-)

I never did karting in my live but driving a race car was my dream. So I was track marshal in some hill climp races.

I am a member of an automobil club in my home town. I was 18 years old when the organisation team had founded together with flatex a motorsport programm for young people in the ADAC Dacia Logan Cup in 2006. I won my fist race and from that point my carreer has been started. 2007 I directly switched into GT Racing with Lamborghini in ADAC GT Masters. Start of a great championship triple. 2007 champion ADAC GT-Masters, 2008 champion as KTM factory driver in FIA GT4 SL, 2009 champion in FIA GT3 with the Audi R8 LMS of Phoenix Racing. Severall class victories in VLN, victory at the 12h of Sepang Malaysia and a good season in the FIA GT1 World Championship where I have earned a lot of experience in 2010. 2011 I came back to my lovely Audi R8 LMS. I had good results which showed my talent. From this moment I have become member of the Audi family, and I love it :-) .

Since that time we had some great results together (for example the victory 24h of Nürburgring 2012) I enjoy the great team atmosphere. Already now I am looking forward to the next season.....I can´t wait. :-)

2) Back in 2009 you gave the Audi R8 LMS an emotional winning debut in FIA GT3 with Phoenix Racing, tell us more about that title.

Difficult season, but we did it. In GT-Racing you always have to find out your own benefit. And this we did really great. In all races where we could see some chances to use our own advantage to beat our competitors, we used it nearly perfect. And that was the key to win it. If you earn poinst constantly you are going to be the champion in the end.

3) In 2013 you entered two competitive championships, the Blancpain Endurance Series and ADAC GT Masters, tell us more about your season?

I had a lot of fun. :-)

I don´t talk about "balance of performance". You always find someone who is crying. The best thing is to concentrate on yourself. Blancpain Endurance Series is a long distance championship. I drove together with Oliver Jarvis and Harold Primat for Phoenix Racing. We were a great team and we worked great together. Unfortunately we never had a good race and quali luck. But still we earned points and at the 24h of Spa we finished on 4th position. Nothing to be disappointed. Racing at the Blancpain is fun over 6h.

ADAC GT Masters togehter with Prosperia C.Abt Racing and my teammate Rahel Frey. I missed the first two events. So I wasn´t able to fight for the campionship. Rahel and me we worked very good together. We have the same car feeling. The competion at the GT Masters is incredible. For a good position everything has to be perfect. But I love that kind of racing. It makes you just harder and better.

4) Sprint vs Endurance, which style do you prefer in GT racing?

I am a GT racer, I like both. It makes the GT sport unique.

I don´t believe that a Formula One car can run 24h in a row. :-)

5) You have already won prestigious titles and races with Audi, which one was the best for you?

Victory 24h of Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2012.

6) A few years ago you competed with a Reiter Lamborghini Murcielago in the FIA GT1 World Championship. How different were those GT1 cars in comparison to today’s GT3 cars?

Quiet a lot. The GT1 car had more power, less weight, no ABS, no TC, more Setup ajustments. You have to be sensetive by driving but still you have to push on the edge. One mistake and the race is done. In GT3 racing, we have a race ABS, a TC as well as a car which forgives you some little mistakes. Anyway to stay in front in both categories, it is always a challenge because everybody is fighting with the same regulations.

7) You have recently been at Daytona for the TUSC test days. How does the driving experience differ between the FIA GT3 R8 LMS ultra and the IMSA GTD R8 LMS?

First of all I like that kind of racing. In comparison to the Audi R8 LMS ultra the R8 Grand AM Version hasn´t any ABS, TC and much less downforce. Both cars have their own setup. To be honest the racing in the IMSA with the Audi R8 Grand AM remembers me to the FIA GT1 cars. Okay the car has less downforce but you need so much feeling to be quick. One slide then you are off time.

8) Which race track is your favourite?

I have three. Nürburgring Nordschleife, Zandvoort, Spa.

9) What are your targets for the upcoming 2014 season?

Great results and hopefully winning a championship again.

10) What are your dreams for the future within your motor racing career?

If you had ask me this questions 6 years ago I had given you the same answer. My target is to win the 24h of Le Mans! I hope to get the chance to drive an Audi LMP car anytime. Thats my dream. :-)

Photo credit:
Christopher Haase
ADAC GT Masters

Great 2013 season for Rahel Frey with Audi

By Tarek Ramchani

Rahel Frey the Audi factory driver switched this year from DTM to GT racing with Audi Sport customer racing. The Swiss driver had a very busy and successful 2013 season across the globe with Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars taking part in different series and events.

Rahel Frey debuted this year in the demanding Blancpain Endurance Series. She joined the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and drove the #2 Audi R8 LMS ultra within the upper Pro-Cup class with teammates Matt Halliday and Niki Mayr-Melnhof. Rahel Frey performed very well in what is clearly seen as the best GT3 field in the world. In all her stints Frey battled very well on track despite a penalizing Balance of Performance hitting the R8 LMS ultra.

The former DTM driver debuted in the demanding ADAC GT Masters. She joined the leading Audi team in the series, Prosperia C.Abt Racing sharing an Audi R8 LMS ultra with Christopher Haase. After some unlucky first races, she improved a lot and was able to challenge some of the best GT racers in Germany and Europe. Frey performances helped Prosperia C.Abt Racing clinching the ADAC GT Masters teams' title.

Rahel Frey took part also in selected events in the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup. She was among the fastest in the all R16 field. Highlight of the season, an impressive race win in Shanghai with her Castrol backed Audi R8 LMS.

The demanding Nürburgring Nordscheleife was a discovery for Rahel Frey. She debuted in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with team Audi race experience showing great pace. Rahel Frey took part later in the most prestigious event in the VLN Endurance Championship, the 6-hour race with again some good performances.

Rahel Frey ended off her 2013 season during December by taking part in the TSF Asia All Star Challenge in Taiwan. She shared a J-Fly Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra with Jeffrey Lee and the duo enjoyed podium results at the Penbay International Circuit.

Overall it was a very successful 2013 season for Rahel Frey with Audi. Audi Sport announced that she will return next year as an instructor with Audi race experience in VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. We hope to see her again in other races and series.

Photo credit:
Rahel Frey
J-Fly Racing

Q&A: Interview with Christopher Mies - Audi GT factory driver

By Tarek Ramchani

Christopher Mies had a busy and very strong 2013 season, racing for different Audi Sport customer racing teams in different series and endurance events in Europe and beyond.From the Blancpain Endurance Series with Belgian Audi Club Team WRT to the ADAC GT Masters with Prosperia C.Abt Racing and appearances in selected endurance events, as well as testing the GTD spec Audi R8 LMS in America.

We were pleased to have an interview with Christopher Mies. A very interesting Q/A about his debut with the Audi brand in GT racing, the 2013 season and his expectations for 2014.

You can follow Christopher Mies on Facebook here, his Twitter account here and his official website here.

1) Please tell us how it all started for you with Audi in GT racing.

I had a very good year in Motorsport in 2008 and the Audi project just started 2009. So I was invited by Phoenix Racing for a test and it worked out. You know, at this stage racing was just a hobby for me and I was just happy to drive a racecar. I couldn't tell the engineer about the car or the handling, I just drove as fast as I could.

2) You have recently been at Sebring and Daytona for the TUSC test days. What are the differences between the FIA GT3 R8 LMS ultra and the IMSA GTD R8 LMS?

To make it not too long the GTD car has less Aero, no ABS or TC. I'm glad we will get some side windows now, before they were forbidden. Open your windows on a motorway when you are as fast as you can. It's so horrible loud. We are going around 300 kp/h at Daytona, I couldn't hear the engine anymore. The last difference is that the teams can change many parts like dampers, antirollbars, brakes and so on. So not every Audi has the same configuration.

3) How does the driving experience differ between the FIA GT3 R8 LMS ultra and the IMSA GTD R8 LMS?

Our Ultra car is much quicker in the corners and we can brake much later while we can go on power earlier. The big advantage of the GTD R8 is the topspeed. Less Aero makes a better drag and that means a better topspeed. So the GTD car is around 20 to 25 kp/h quicker on the straight. Both are fun and especially the GTD car is a new challenge. I like both but if you want to push really hard, if you want to give 110% of your knowledge then the R8 Ultra is easier to handle.

4) You had a busy year with Audi during 2013. Between the Blancpain Endurance Series and the ADAC GT Masters, which one is the most demanding?

It's hard to compare. The Blancpain is a 3 hour race with 3 drivers on fantastic tracks around europe and we have more than 50 cars every race. That's so fantastic. But, and this is the worst part on the Blancpain series, a lot of Gentleman which makes life not easy. Sometimes they are in a quicker car due to a better BoP. They block you before or in the corners and pull away on the straight. That's really frustrating sometimes and I'm happy that WRT always gave me a perfect car to push. I qualified 3rd in Silverstone which is the best Qualifying result for an Audi in the Blancpain ever and it could be the Pole Position but unfortunately I had traffic. But that's life and it's the same for everybody.

The GTM (GT Masters) is a sprint race for me, I shared my car with Rene and each of us were 'just' 30 minutes in the car. But to be honest this is more exhausting. 22 cars, 8 of them fight for the Championship. That's close and tough racing with lot of contacts. Unfortunately the BoP was not that good in the beginning - it changed but for some others as well. The Mercedes and especially the Ford and Corvette were much too strong, I hope this will change for 2014. All in all I enjoyed both series, they are both fantastic and I had the best teams I could imagine.

5) What are your targets for the upcoming 2014 season?

To win races and at least a Championship. Last year I won the Blancpain with WRT and Stephane/Christopher. It felt fantastic and I want to have this feeling back. This year we were unable to win the Blancpain, the BoP was too bad. We were missing 2 seconds minimum at Spa 24h compared to Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. You can't win a Championship if you are that slow by BoP, you just win a Championship if everything fits perfect.

You know, for me René and I were the best driver line-up in GTM. We had really the slowest car in the beginning but we won the first race. Coming from P15! Why? The team did an outstanding job after qualifying and René and I just did our best. There are some guys I know from early days and now they are in a Mercedes or Ford for example. Some years ago I was quicker on the same car, today I'm 5 tenth of Qualifying compared to them. That means that something is wrong and it clearly shows that we have to work very hard on the BoP theme. Or just have a look on Corvette Qualifying at Nürburgring. Jeroen Bleekemolen has never been in the car before, has never tested a new set of tyre before Qualifying and was 7 tenth quicker than Keilwitz who drives the car since a couple of years. It clearly showed the performance of the car when a professional is on! So for 2014 let's hope for a better BoP and I'm sure we are back in a title fight!

6) Which race track is your favourite?

One is for sure Bathurst. The fascination, going up the Mountain, going down after with a lot of quick corners. Fantastic! No place for mistakes, there are walls beside the track
For sure the Nordschleife is my No.1. At no track I have more mileage and no track I know better than this. It's a fascinating track in a wonderful area. I hope to race there some more years.

7) You are a keen motorcycle rider, have you ever considered to compete in superbike racing?

Nooo I'm far off. I just do it because I like to relax. And on my Ducati, it's just perfect. No Navigation, no passenger, no radio, no mobile - just driving. I love to be on the Nürburgring with my bike, to hear the 2 cylinder going up to 13.000 rpm! It sounds like music. But I'm sure I'm far off a professional superbike racer. At least it's just fun for me.

8) What are your dreams for the future within your motor racing career?

If you would ask me that a couple of years ago I would answer going to DTM. But today it's LMP1! To go to LeMans would be a dream! I just have seen the new R18. I fall in love immediately! What a dream car. So wish me luck, I hope to be there soon.

Photo credit: Christopher Mies

Audi Sport customer racing teams honoured at the Audi Sport Finale 2013

By Johan Laubscher

The Audi Sport Finale was held at Audi Forum Ingolstadt on Wednesday. It was a very exciting yearend function for Audi Sport, which saw a number of presentations, including recognising the Audi Sport customer racing teams and drivers who celebrated success during 2013.

Audi Sport’s official twitter feed (@Audi__Sport on twitter) provided excellent real-time coverage of the event for their fans around the world.

Below we have included a rundown of the Audi Sport customer racing presentation from the Audi Sport Finale, as per the updates from the official Audi Sport twitter feed.

Audi Sport Italia - International and Italian Superstars champions with the Audi RS 5 quattro
Driver: Gianni Morbidelli

JB Motorsport - Swedish GT Series champion
Driver: Jan Brunstedt

MTM Motorsport - Superstars GT Sprint champion

Driver: Thomas Schöffler

Team Novadriver - Portuguese GT Championship champions

Drivers: César Campanico and Mikko Eskelinen

PK Carsport - Belgian Racing Car Championship Endurance champions

Drivers: Bert Longin, Maarten Makelberge and Anthony Kumpen (not present)

Belgian Audi Club Team WRT - Fia GT Series champions 

Drivers: Stéphane Ortelli and Laurens Vanthoor

Adderly Fong - 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup champion

Edoardo Mortara - Macau GT Cup winner

Alex Job Racing - Daytona 24 Hours winners

Drivers: Filipe Albuquerque, Oliver Jarvis, Edoardo Mortara, Dion von Moltke

It was certainly a great year for Audi Sport customer racing and the Audi R8 LMS / ultra and GRAND-AM cars, with multiple titles and race victories. 2014 will be another tremendous year for Audi Sport customer racing.

Photo credit: 

Official Audi Sport on twitter

Audi Sport Communication / Media

Bathurst 12 Hour: Eight Audis on the entry list - including Phoenix and Rotek

By Johan Laubscher

The latest updated 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour entry list was released today and the 55-car list includes no less than eight Audi race cars.

A total of seven Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars are currently on the list. Seven cars fielded by five different teams. Phoenix Racing, Absolute Racing, United Autosports and Rotek Racing will each be fielding an Audi R8 LMS ultra. Melbourne Performance Centre will be entering three cars for their customers. This will include the cars of Rod Salmon, Mark Eddy / Marc Cini and Equity-One Motorsport.

Five of the current Audi R8 LMS and ultra entries had previously been included on the entry list. The notable additions are Phoenix Racing, who’s participation was revealed earlier this week, and Rotek Racing, who won the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with their Audi TT RS last weekend.

The eighth and final car currently listed on the entry list is a second car from Rotek Racing. This entry is listed as an Audi A4. More information about this entry is expected in the coming weeks.

The seven Audi R8 LMS / ultra entries: 

Mark Eddy / Marc Cini - Melbourne Performance Centre - Audi R8 LMS ultra (2012)

United Autosports - Audi R8 LMS ultra (2012)

Rod Salmon - Melbourne Performance Centre - Audi R8 LMS ultra (2012)

Absolute Racing - Audi R8 LMS ultra (2013)

Phoenix Racing - Audi R8 LMS ultra (2013)

Rotek Racing - Audi R8 LMS ultra

Dean Koutsoumidis - Equity-One Motorsport / MPC - Audi R8 LMS (2011)

The entry list can be seen HERE. 

The 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour will be taking place from 7-9 February 2014. It is great to see so many Audi Sport customer racing teams committing to the endurance race at Mount Panorama.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media