New Audi R8 LMS wins Nürburgring race

June 02,2015

audi_r8-2The Audi R8 LMS managed a brilliant 24-hour racing debut by clinching victory at the Nürburgring. Audi only unveiled its GT3 race car 10 weeks ago, and impressed spectators with its performance in a tough battle that lasted up to the last hour of the race.

In the end, Audi Sport Team WRT with Christopher Mies/Nico Müller/Edward Sandström/Laurens Vanthoor (D/CH/S/B) was 40 seconds faster than the BMW Team Marc VDS.

The battle for victory in the Eifel endurance race has not been as thrilling as this in a long time. During the 24 hours, the lead changed 35 times—a record in the event that has been held since 1970. After the race’s midpoint, either the No. 28 R8 LMS or its fiercest rival was running in front, depending on the pit stop sequence.

In the end, the Belgian Audi team prevailed with a concentrated performance of its drivers and solid teamwork. Vincent Vosse’s squad and each of the four race drivers celebrated their first victory in this classic event.

audi_r8“This was a weekend of thrilling racing, as well as an intense and nerve-wracking one,” said Romolo Liebchen, head of Audi Sport customer racing. “Sincere congratulations to our winners who never lost their cool even in the face of some minor irregularities, and held up to the pressure. The whole squad of Audi Sport customer racing is happy to see the new R8 LMS instantly delivering on our promise of it being a competitive, attractive and reliable race car our customers can look forward to starting this fall.”

Vosse was delighted about another success of his young team. “We’ve already won the Spa 24 Hours with Audi, and now we achieved success on the Nürburgring as well. My thanks for this go to a motivated squad, four talented drivers and to Audi Sport customer racing for their solid support. We’re very happy that we can thank Audi by taking the first 24-hour victory of the new race car,” he said.

Four new Audi R8 LMS cars were on the grid of the 24-hour race.

Last year’s winners Christopher Haase/Christian Mamerow/René Rast/Markus Winkelhock in car No. 1 of Audi Sport Team Phoenix led the race several times but were forced to retire following an accident by Mamerow. The German was hospitalized for observation.

In sister car No. 4, Mike Rockenfeller spun on track due to an oil spill shortly before the race’s midpoint. He was hit by another car that was following him, causing damage to the Audi that was too severe to continue the race.

The second race car of the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT saw the checkered flag in seventh place. Accident damage had caused Pierre Kaffer (D) and his teammates Christer Jöns (D), Nicki Thiim (DK) and  Vanthoor (B) to lose three laps in the early stage. However, with good lap times, this driver quartet proved the competitiveness of the Audi R8 LMS as well.

The time-tested Audi R8 LMS ultra model—the 2012 and 2014 winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours—completed with good results.

Team Twin Busch Motorsport saw the finish in 11th place. The Asian driver line-up achieved 12th place.

To know more, contact Audi Philippines at (0917) 813-9064 or visit its showrooms located in Greenhills, Global City and Alabang. For more information, log on to www.audi.ph.

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