Pirelli World Challenge: Crucial pole position for GMG Racing in Houston

By Johan Laubscher

The finale of the Pirelli World Challenge is taking place on the streets of Houston this weekend. It is a title showdown between James Sofronas in his GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS and Johnny O'Connell in his factory Cadillac CTS-V.R.

James Sofronas arrives in Houston as the current points leader, with a mere 21 point lead over O'Connell. Three Audis have been entered this weekend: two Audi R8 LMS cars from GMG Racing in the GT class and one Audi TT RS car from Istook Motorsports in the GTS class.

The second GMG R8 LMS is being piloted by Rene Rast, the factory Audi Sport customer racing driver, who has been added to the squad to support Sofronas’ bid for the title. Rast immediately showed his pace by placing second in the first practice session and first in the second session. Sofronas was sixth in both of the practice sessions. 

Qualifying was cancelled due to track altercations in the long break between practice sessions one and two, thus the grid will be determined by championship points. This results in James Sofronas gaining the crucial pole position and Rene Rast starting sixth, last in the GT class, as he has no points on the table.

The race is scheduled for 10:45 am local time on Sunday. We wish the best of luck to both Audi teams. 

Photo credit:

Pirelli World Challenge

RS Werkes  

VLN: Audi TT RS domination in SP3T and SP4T at round seven

By Johan Laubscher

The seventh meeting of the VLN Endurance Championship was held at the Nürburgring this weekend. A total of seven Audis were entered.

Only one Audi R8 LMS ultra was entered this weekend, the #44 Audi entry from Twin Busch Motorsport in the SP9 class.

An army of six Audi TT cars were also entered. Three TT RS cars were entered in SP3T, joined by one TT and one TTS. One TT RS was entered in SP4T. The Audi Sport customer racing developed TT RS entries included Raeder Motorsport, Møller Bil Motorsport and Rotek Racing.

During qualifying the Twin Busch R8 LMS ultra was the highest place Audi in eighth overall. There was an Audi 1-2-3-4 at the top of the SP3T class. The #331 Raeder Motorsport Audi TT RS took pole in SP3T and the #249 Rotek Racing TT RS took pole in SP4T.

The race concluded with the #44 Twin Busch Audi R8 LMS ultra unfortunately running low on fuel during the final lap, while they were running as high as second. The fuel miscalculation cost the team and they were ultimately classified as a non finisher. SP3T was dominated by the Audi TT RS cars, as the #331 Raeder entry won the class ahead of the #334 Møller Bil TT RS and the #290 TT RS in third. Rotek Racing won the SP4T class.

The eighth VLN event will be held at the Nürburgring on the twelfth of October.

Photo credit: VLN

VLN: Audi TT RS victories in SP4T and SP3T at the Nürburgring

By Johan Laubscher

The German VLN Endurance Championship held its sixth meeting of the season at the Nürburgring today. It was an unlucky race for the R8 LMS ultra competitors, but it was certainly a good day for the Audi TT RS entrants.

Only two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars were entered this weekend, a single entry each from Twin Busch Motorsport and Phoenix Racing.

Twin Busch Motorsport was the highest placed Audi during qualifying, having taken fourth place ahead of the Phoenix car in ninth. The #1 LMS Engineering TT RS claimed eighteenth overall and pole in the SP3T class. Rotek Racing and their #249 TT RS was on pole for the SP4T class, twenty-forth overall.

The Audi TT RS teams stole the show for Audi at the four hour VLN race today. LMS Engineering made it a victorious comeback and debut for their #1 Audi TT RS. They achieved class pole position, class victory and they finished in a very impressive sixth overall. It was also an Audi 1-2-3-4-5-6 in SP3T, as the #334 Møller Bil Motorsport TT RS finished second ahead of the Raeder Motorsport #331 TT RS in third and the #290 TT RS in fourth. Audi TTS race cars also finished fifth and sixth in SP3T. The TT RS clean sweep was completed by the Rotek Racing #249 taking victory in SP4T.

Both Audi R8 LMS ultra entries faced problems today. The #15 Phoenix Audi finished twenty-fifth overall and the Twin Busch Motorsport #44 Audi unfortunately retired after running as high as second.

The next VLN round will be taking place on 28 September. 

Photo credit: LMS Engineering

VLN: Successful rollout for LMS Engineering Audi TT RS

By Johan Laubscher

LMS Engineering conducted a successful rollout at the Nürburgring today. This was the first track test for their #1 Audi TT RS and its two litre five cylinder turbocharged engine.

After overcoming early season setbacks, LMS Engineering completed successful dyno testing this week, followed by a successful rollout. Their SP3T Audi TT RS was seen at the Nürburgring today, where the team tested the car on track for the first time.

LMS Engineering has developed a two litre version of the five cylinder turbo TT RS TFSI engine, allowing it to compete in the SP3T class in the VLN Championship. A few of these Audi Sport customer racing TT RS cars have been converted to run in the SP3T class (two litre turbo) versus the original specification in the SP4T class (two and a half litre turbo). The Raeder Motorsport and Møller Bil Motorsport TT RS cars are current examples of these SP3T versions, which are currently competing in the VLN. The LMS Engineering SP3T version will be the first variant with a five cylinder engine, the other SP3T TT RS examples are based on four cylinder two litre power plants. 

It is great to see the LMS Engineering TT RS progressing well, and the car certainly sounds fantastic in the video embedded below. The team has mentioned their intentions of taking part in the next VLN event, which will be taking place next weekend (14 September).

Photo credit: Mcchip-DKR SoftwarePerformance

VLN: LMS Engineering Audi TT RS progressing well

By Johan Laubscher

LMS Engineering was set to compete in the 2013 VLN with a new Audi TT RS, but various setbacks prevented them from taking part, but the team is now progressing very well with their car.

The #1 LMS Engineering Audi TT RS was presented earlier this year, but supply problems regarding critical drive train components resulted in the team unfortunately withdrawing their initial VLN entry. Since then the team has been working very hard and they have also acquired the required parts. In recent weeks they have revealed photos and videos of their new engine. The car and engine were tested together for the first time this week, with successful dyno runs. The team is now ready to begin further testing and their first rollout with the Audi.

LMS Engineering has developed a two litre version of the five cylinder turbo TT RS TFSI engine, allowing it to compete in the SP3T class in the VLN Championship. A few of these Audi Sport customer racing TT RS cars have been converted to run in the SP3T class (two litre turbo) versus the original specification in the SP4T class (two and a half litre turbo). The Raeder Motorsport and Møller Bil Motorsport TT RS cars are current examples of these SP3T versions, which are currently competing in the VLN. The LMS Engineering SP3T version will be the first variant with a five cylinder engine, the other SP3T TT RS examples are based on four cylinder two litre power plants. 

It is very exciting to hear that LMS Engineering are progressing well with their TT RS, especially after their setbacks earlier this year. Hopefully the beautiful #1 TT RS will be seen on track very soon.  

Update: LMS Engineering conducted their rollout at the Nürburgring on Friday afternoon.

Photo credit: 

LMS Engineering

Mcchip-DKR SoftwarePerformance

Gallery: Audi cars at Nürburgring Nordschleife VLN 6-hour race

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi had a successfull VLN race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife last weekend. Pole position in qualifying with G-Drive Racing by Phoenix, and a double podium with second and third after a demanding 6 hour race.

Here is a selection of some beautiful photos taken on site by our friend Nortbert Kratz, with Audi R8 LMS ultra and Audi TT RS cars at the Green Hell.

Photo credit: Norbert Kratz

Pirelli World Challenge: Spirited drive to third for Sofronas GMG Audi in Mid Ohio race 2

By Johan Laubscher

The Pirelli World Challenge weekend at Mid Ohio concluded with a terrific second race today. GMG Racing lead driver, James Sofronas, completed a spirited drive onto the podium.

James Sofronas achieved third position in the first race yesterday, but he finished behind his main championship rival Johnny O'Connell. The six Audi cars lined up for the start of race two: four GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS cars, one JCR Motorsports R8 GRAND-AM and one Itook’s Motorsport TT RS.

From the start Sofronas in the #14 GMG Audi R8 LMS rocketed up to up second, but shortly thereafter he was passed by Pobst in the Volvo. Sofronas then began a race-long battle to maintain third position, and most importantly, trying to stay ahead of Johnny O'Connell. Duncan Ende in the #24 GMG Audi was also battling in the leading group. O'Connell eventually retired from the event and James was able to maintain his third place, to achieve his second podium finish of the weekend, collecting valuable points in his bid for the driver’s title. In the end Duncan Ende finished sixth, Alex Welch (#08 GMG) in seventh, Courtney (#99 JCR Audi) in eighth and Ziegler (#95 GMG Audi) in tenth. All five Audi GT cars finished within the top ten. The second race was again won by Alex Figge, completing a Volvo one-two ahead of his teammate Randy Pobst.

Don Istook finished twentieth in the GTS class, driving his Istook's Motorsports Audi TT RS race car.

The Pirelli World Challenge will resume at Sonoma for the next round of the series on the weekend of 23-25 August. 

Photo credit: Pirelli World Challenge

Pirelli World Challenge: Third place for James Sofronas Audi in Mid-Ohio race 1

By Tarek Ramchani

The Pirelli World Challenge is at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend, for the seventh round of the season.
The battle for the title is raging between Audi and Cadillac, for both the driver and manufacturer titles.

Race 1 today gave GMG Racing and James Sofronas some satisfaction. The team co-owner, who is second in the driver's standings, finished third with his #14 Audi R8 LMS from GMG Racing. A fine result after all of the bad luck in the recent events. He finished behind race winner Alex Figge (Volvo S60) and the second placed Johnny O'Connel (Cadillac CTS-V).

The other Audi R8 cars were further behind. Alex Welch with the #08 Audi R8 LMS was eighth. Jeff Courtney with his #99 Audi R8 GRAND-AM was tenth. Bill Ziegler with the #95 R8 LMS was eleventh and Duncan Ende with the #24 Audi was twelfth.

Don Istook, who is fielding the only Audi car in the GTS class, continued to improve. The #01 Audi TT RS finished sixteenth within the GTS class.

Photo credit: Pirelli World Challenge

Pirelli World Challenge: Lime Rock race 2 closes with good points for GMG Audi

By Johan Laubscher

The Pirelli World Challenge continued at Lime Rock today. Race two was held earlier and yielded strong results for the Audi drivers. Four GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS cars and one Istook TT RS were the Audis which lined up for race two.

The highest Audi finish in race one was repeated in race two. James Sofronas, the championship leader, managed to move up from his sixth place starting position and finished in fourth, collecting good points for the championship in the #14 R8 LMS. The next three GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS cars finished together in the standings, placing in positions seven through nine, with Alex Welch, Duncan Ende and Bill Ziegler respectively.

Don Istook unfortunately retired from race two in his TT RS. Despite this it is still absolutely great to see Istook back in a race car following his heart bypass surgery earlier this season.

Race two spoils went to the factory Cadillac team, who enjoyed an 1-2 finish with Johnny O'Connell leading home his GM teammate Andy Pilgrim.

Round six of the Pirelli World Challenge will head onto the Streets of Toronto next weekend.
  

Photo credit: Pirelli World Challenge

Pirelli World Challenge: Mixed qualifying for Audi teams at Lime Rock

By Tarek Ramchani

The Pirelli World Challenge is moving to the North East this weekend. The popular Lime Rock Park is hosting the fifth meeting of the season.
Four Audi R8 LMS cars have been entered for the event, all of them from GMG Racing.

The qualifying session was held yesterday with some mixed results for the Audi and GMG squad. The best ranked R8 LMS car was in fifth place, with #24 Audi of Duncan Ende. Team owner and series points leader James Sofronas was sixth in his #14 car. The other two R8 LMS cars were tenth with Alex Welch in the #08 Audi and eleventh with Bill Ziegler, who is debuting with the R8 LMS this weekend, driving the #95 Audi.

It was an all-GM affair in the qualifying session. The factory Cadillac CTS-Vs were first and second, with Johnny O'Connel and Andy Pilgrim. Third was Mike Skeen with a Chevrolet Corvette.

Before the Lime Rock races James Sofronas was leading the overall points standing with 849 points. Cadillac's Johnny O'Connell is second with 703 points. Volvo's Randy Pobst is third with 675 points. In the manufacturer's standing Audi and Cadillac are leading with 52 points each. Volvo is third with 41 points.

In the GTS class it is great to see the Audi TT RS back in the competition. American Audi legend, Don Istook, is back after health issues, armed again with his Stasis/Revo backed #01 Audi TT RS. Don Istook qualified twentieth in class. The qualifying session results can be seen here.

Two WC races are on the program at Lime Rock Park. We hope that both GMG Racing in GT and Don Istook in GTS will do well on track.

Photo credit: Pirelli World Challenge

Video: Audi TT RS Targa Tasmania Highlights

By Johan Laubscher

The Audi Centre Melbourne Audi TT RS was tipped as one of the front runners at the Targa Tasmania this year. The car, driven by Matt and Casey Close, had performed very well this year. With a string of good results they were very confident ahead of the premiere event in the Australian Targa Championship calendar. 

They performed very well at the Targa Tasmania, despite technical problems which lost them time. They were up to a comfortable third overall when turbo related problems unfortunately ended their event. 

Other Side Productions have been producing great video coverage of the Targa Championship. They have just released another new video featuring the TT RS at the 2013 Targa Tasmania. It is a great video, and the TT RS sounds brilliant with its five cylinder turbo engine

More information:

Other Side Productions
Targa News

Photo credit: Other Side Productions

N24: Preview of the Audi Competitors at the Nürburgring 24 Hours

By Johan Laubscher

The 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours is taking place this weekend. The race itself will be running from Sunday until Monday, over the Whitsun long-weekend in Germany. Phoenix Racing returns as the reigning champions with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. 2012 was the first Audi victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and no less than eight Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are entered this year from, five different teams.

A total of seventeen Audi cars have been entered, including a number of Audi Sport customer racing cars (Audi R8 LMS ultra & Audi TT RS), as well as a variety of privately developed Audi race cars. The Nürburgring 24 Hours always provides a tremendous spectacle and this year, with the projected difficult weather conditions, should provide another great race. Good luck to all of the Audi teams, and we cross our fingers for a repeat of the success achieved in 2012.

1. Preview of the Audi Competitors:

1.1. Audi Sport customer racing teams:

1.1.1. Audi R8 LMS ultra Teams:

G-Drive Racing by Phoenix

#1 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Mike Rockenfeller 

Marcel Fässler

Frank Stippler

Markus Winkelhock

G-Drive Racing by Phoenix

#3 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Frank Biela

Christer Jöns

Luca Ludwig

Roman Rusinov

Phoenix Racing

#4 Audi R8 LMS ultra
Michael Ammermüller

Frank Stippler

Ferdinand Stuck

Johannes Stuck

Prosperia C.ABT Team Mamerow

#2 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Christian Mamerow

Thomas Mutsch

René Rast

Marc Basseng

Audi race experience (TKL Motorsport)

#14 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Marco Werner

Christian Bollrath

Pierre Ehret

Ronnie Saurenmann

Audi race experience (TKL Motorsport) 

#15 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Rahel Frey

Dominique Bastien

Peter Venn

Alexander Yoong

Twin Busch Motorsport

#16 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Marc Busch

Dennis Busch

Manuel Lauck

Belgian Audi Club Team WRT

#29 Audi R8 LMS ultra

Laurens Vanthoor

Edward Sandström

Christopher Mies

Christopher Haase

1.1.2. Audi TT RS Teams:

Besaplast Racing Team

#105 TT RS – SP4T

Franjo Kovac

Martin Tschornia

Frederik Lestrup

Raeder Motorsport

#111 TT RS – SP3T

Elmar Deegener

Jürgen Wohlfahrt

1.2. Privately built/developed Audi teams:

Dupré Motorsport

#74 Audi RS 5

Christoph Dupré

Gunther Ofenmacher

Claus Dupré

Hömberg Motorsport

#101 Audi TTS
Bernd Hömberg

Alexander Streit

Torsten Platz

Bernhard Henzel

Brandl Motorsport

#106 Audi TT RS

Christian Kranenberg

Stefan Michels

Benjamin Weidner

Jochen Hudelmaier

pro Handicap e.V.

#112 Audi TTS
Wolfgang Müller

Oliver Rudolph

Partel Aditya

MSC Sinzig e.V. im ADAC

#118 Audi TT
Professor Jörg Wellnitz

Manfred Krammer Junior

Steffen Höber

#119 Audi TT

Prof. Jörg Wellnitz,

Manfred Krammer

Steffen Höber

#160 Audi A4 B7
Thomas Hanisch

Bastian Goercke

Stefan Gies

We wish the best of luck to all of the Audi competitors this weekend as they prepare for 24 Hours of racing at the Green Hell. 

Photo credit:
Stuck³ website
Audi Sport Communication / Media
DUPRÉ Motorsport

Video: Onboard the Audi TT RS at the Nürburgring

By Johan Laubscher

The 2013 Nürburgring 24 Hours weekend has arrived. To kick off the weekend let us have a look at the track in one of the Audi Sport sport customer race cars which will be competing: An Audi TT RS (SP4T class).

Phoenix Racing and Audi are the reining champions with the Audi R8 LMS ultra. This year eight Audi R8 LMS ultra are taking part in the event fielded by five different teams. A number of other Audis are also entered in the event which is set to be another great 24 Hours at the Green Hell.

Note: This onboard video is from a 2012 VLN event.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media