Audi R8 LMS GT3
Another success in New Zealand: After Team International Motorsport had previously won the South Island Endurance Series in New Zealand with Neil Foster, the tradition-steeped squad prevailed in the competition between the two islands as well. For the three-hour race of the New Zealand Endurance Championship on the circuit at Highlands, the 20 best teams, respectively, from the northern and southern parts of the island state had been invited. Gentleman driver Neil Foster and his fellow New Zealander Jonny Reid won the endurance race in an Audi R8 LMS after 96 laps with a ten-second advantage.
Victory in Australia: The Island Magic single event held after the regular series traditionally closes the motorsport year in Australia. On the circuit of Phillip Island, Audi Sport’s customers celebrated a one-two result. Gary Higgon/Daniel Gaunt won the Victorian Tourist Trophy ahead of Ryan How/Tony D’Alberto in another Audi R8 LMS. Previously, How had taken third place in the first sprint, Daniel Gaunt finished the second sprint runner-up.
Honors in London: Stéphane Ratel Organisation (SRO) recognized the winners of its series at an evening gala in London. Several trophies presented at the event went to Audi Sport: Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, received the award for the third consecutive manufacturers’ title in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Audi Sport driver Markus Winkelhock, who won the Pro-Am classification of the Blancpain GT Series with Nyls Stievenart, was on stage with Frédéric Thalamy, the team manager of Saintéloc Racing. The best pit stops were performed by Belgian Audi Club Team WRT. Pierre-Emmanuel Cary and Cédric Darimont received a cash prize.
Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)
Presentation in Australia: The TCR Australia, starting in 2019, will provide the fifth continent with a TCR racing series for the first time. Melbourne Performance Centre (MPC) that has been locally supporting the customers of Audi Sport customer racing in GT3 for years will be the service partner in the TCR program as well. On the occasion of the series’ presentation in Sydney, MPC introduced the Audi RS 3 LMS to interested teams. Subsequently, the touring car was displayed at a Phillip Island racing event and did a number of demo laps there. To date, Audi Sport customer racing has produced 160 Audi RS 3 LMS cars for worldwide racing commitments. Since 2017, the front-wheel drive touring car has won six overall drivers’ titles and been involved in 16 further class titles.
Coming up next week
30/11–02/12 Thunderhill (USA), 25h Thunderhill
30/11–01/12 Bahrain (BRN), FIA GT Nations Cup
30/11–01/12 Bahrain (BRN), GT4 World Final
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