Friday 30 March 2012

ADAC GT Masters Oschersleben Preview.





ADAC GT Masters Oschersleben Preview.

MRS starts with a strong driver‐quartet for the ADAC GT Masters
Finally the time has come, this weekend the MRS‐Team is starting his first race of the ADAC GT
Masters season in Oschersleben (Germany) with two McLaren MP4‐12c GT3. It will be the crucial test
for the new designed car. Four drivers will share the steering wheel.
After a sensational victory after the first race last year in August at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, the
team has the incentive and ambition to be in the fore of the race series. As mentioned, the MRS
team will start with the McLaren MP4‐12c GT3. The car convince of endurance, power and speed to
push the team in the first row. “The car is amazing! It’s like a toy”, says team leader Karsten Molitor.
Behind the wheel of the brand new McLaren MP4‐12c GT3 with the starting number 13 the
businessman from Stuttgart Erwin Stückle will share the work with the Dutch record driver Patrick
Huisman. While Erwin Stückle is considered as a returnee after a long time out from motorsport,
Patrick Huisman is not only known by the insiders of motorsports. Huisman can look back at a long a
successful career, as a quadruple Porsche Supercup champion and former DTM driver.
The other car, the McLaren MP4‐12c GT3 with the starting number 14, is driven by the last Porsche
Sportscup champion Christian Ott and by the sport ace Alex Müller. Ott is well‐known by the MRS
team, he drove for the troupe from Lonsee at the German Renault Clio Trophy. Alex Müller
completes the driver’s line‐up for MRS. He is a highly professional in GT sports and participated
successfully in the FIA GT World championship.
Already from Tuesday the team from Lonsee near Ulm will be at the circuit in Oschersleben to
complete the last tests on Wednesday.
It will be exciting to see where the McLaren will stand after the balance of performance compared to
the other competitors and how the MRS driver fixtures will fight against the other participants. “But
we have still a lot work to do and we have to gain experience”, adds team manager Iris Dorr.
The races will be transmitted live by Kabel1 on Saturday and Sunday from 12:15.
For more
information of the ADAC GT Masters go to the website www.adac‐gt‐masters.de.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

ADAC GT Masters: Full speed ahead to the season





Full speed ahead to the season

Spectacular new super sports car, a record starting field, exciting rider combinations with former Formula 1 - and DTM drivers, sports car aces and young hotheads: The ADAC GT Masters at full throttle and turn in the 2012 season once again up a gear.

At the start of the season "league of super sports car" of 30 March to 1 April at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben promises a field with more than 40 sports cars from 13 different brands, a motor sport spectacle which has no equal. Together with the ADAC Masters Weekend as a motor sports platform, the ADAC ​​GT Masters Championship rings so the racing season 2012 in Germany.

Debut for McLaren, Camaro and Nissan - comeback from Aston Martin
The focus at the start of the season not only ex-formula, a vice-world champion and DTM driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen (44, Neuss), the defending champion Alexandros Margaritis (27, Cologne) and Dino Lunardi (33 F), or ex-champion Christian Abbot (44, Kempten), who dares to break from racing after two years of his comeback, but also the debut of four super sports car. One of them is the new McLaren MP4-12C, where the teams bring Gemballa Racing and Molitor Racing Formula 1 flair in the ADAC GT Masters. In a total of three copies of the British attack flounder Luca Ludwig (23, Bonn), son of touring car legend Klaus Ludwig and Sascha Bert (36, Darmstadt) at. The sons of another racing legend, 2012 at the start. Ferdinand (20) and Johannes Stuck (25, both A), sons of Hans-Joachim "Strietzel" Stuck and reigning FIA GT Championship Vice-Champions, change to a new Aston Martin V12 Vantage Young Driver. Want to make a splash, the new Chevrolet Camaro the team Yaco Racing powered by Jochen Schweizer and Schulze motor sport, bringing the Nissan GT-R is the first Japanese GT3 cars in the ADAC GT Masters. Besides the four new sports car, the other reading in the ADAC GT Masters represented brands such as "Who's Who" of the automotive industry with Audi, BMW, BMW ALPINA, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford GT, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, the ADAC GT Masters with a unique brand diversity trump.

Margaritis champion moves to Mercedes-Benz
The Newcomer of the 2012 season, however, must contend with this year against a total of five former or reigning champions. The champion of the 2011 season, Alexandros Margaritis and Dino Lunardi go their separate ways in 2012. Lunardi remains true to ALPINA and BMW ALPINA B6 starts in on the side of the Belgian racing hope Maxime Martin (25). Margaritis moves to Mercedes-Benz and starts again for the brand, with the German-Greek was already in the DTM. New teammate Margaritis at the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG the NICE LIVING Polar White HEICO team is Lance David Arnold (25, Duisburg). With a new team-mates will also draw Albert von Thurn und Taxis (28, Regensburg), champion of the 2010 season, after his second title. The young nobleman divides a Lamborghini Gallardo by Reiter Engineering with the Slovaks Stefan Rosina (24).

Comeback of former champion Christian Abt in the Audi R8
After two years as team manager and it draws on the pit wall, Christian Abt, the champion of the 2009 season, back behind the wheel. The former DTM driver will know it and start again in the Audi R8 Prosperia uhc speed together with Carsten Tilke (28, Munich), son of racetrack architect Hermann Tilke. The Audi of Prosperia uhc speed you have to fight for the title with the invoice, for the second R8 of the Franks, the young team hopes to start Christopher Mies (22, Holy House) and Christer Joens (24, Ingelheim). To want podiums in his second season in the ADAC GT Masters fight, Heinz Harald Frentzen. The Formula 1 World Championship runner in the 1997 Callaway Corvette with Andreas Wirth (27, Heidelberg), a teammate on his side of the line has already crossed the FIA ​​GT Championship four times a winner. The Group is led by Porsche Carrera Cup champion Nick Tandy (27 GB), who shares a 911 GT3 by Geyer & Weinig EDV-Consulting com pany / contactor motor sports with Christian Engelhart (25, Kösching).

Amateur ranking promises exciting motor sport
Exciting duels also promises the amateur championship. The current amateur champion Marc A. Hayek (41, CH) will defend his title along with Peter Kox (48, NL), the champion of the 2010 season, in a cavalry attack Lamborghini Gallardo. Its toughest opponent in the last year, amateur runner Swen Dolenc (44, Maulbronn) has been upgraded and is in the FACH AUTO TECH-911 together with the Porsche ace Martin Ragginger (23 A) at the start. And also the two-time amateur champion Toni Seiler (54 CH) wants to get involved in a Callaway Corvette again used to name the amateurs.

In a field with more than 40 super sports cars and spectacular new additions and exciting team and driver combinations is for sure: High Voltage is the ADAC GT Masters guarantees 2012th
ADAC GT Masters Press.

Sunday 25 March 2012

Audi drivers to present themselves at Hockenheim




Audi drivers to present themselves at
Hockenheim


• Audi’s DTM racers are introducing themselves at Hockenheim
• Timo Scheider is training on racing bike in Majorca
• Timo Bernhard is spending vacation in Florida

Ingolstadt, March 25, 2012 – The DTM is gearing up for its opening event. On
April 2, four weeks before the first race, the Audi A5 DTM will be testing at
Hockenheim. The media are cordially invited to attend.
Media day at Hockenheim: The DTM is inviting accredited journalists to a press
conference at the circuit. At 9.30 a.m. on April 2, Head of Audi Motorsport Dr.
Wolfgang Ullrich and his colleagues from the competitor brands will be on hand
before the season starts. Between 12.00 and 2 p.m., the drivers will be pleased to
answer all the questions of the media as well. In between, the A5 DTM that
embodies an eagerly awaited all-new touring car generation will be doing test laps
at Hockenheim.
Mileage for the body: Timo Scheider has been bitten by the biking bug. For weeks,
the Audi factory driver has been an enthusiast of this sport on a racing bicycle
specifically made for him. From the DTM test at Valencia, he privately traveled on to
Majorca. For one week, from March 24 to 31, he trained his body for the new
motorsport season on the Balearic Island on extensive biking tours.
Sportscar testing: Following the one-two victory at the Sebring 12 Hours, Audi
tested on the race track in Florida with eleven race drivers from Monday to Thursday.
After an accident by Timo Bernhard, who in an Audi R18 ultra had slipped backwards
into the tire stacks in turn 17 on Monday, Audi continued the tests with two R18 etron
quattro cars and an R18 TDI as a reference vehicle. Bernhard stayed at a local
hospital for medical checks until the middle of the week. An injury of the cervical
spine was diagnosed but did not require surgery. Afterwards, he started his vacation
in Florida with his wife Katharina.
Anniversary candidate: Dindo Capello is particularly happy about his fifth winner’s
trophy from Sebring. Last weekend, the Audi factory driver together with Tom
Kristensen and Allan McNish won the 60th running of the 12-hour race. Exactly ten
years ago, the Italian had already celebrated a victory on the 50th anniversary event
of this classic race.
Additional programs for two Audi factory drivers: Oliver Jarvis and Marco Bonanomi
will not only be reeling off a large number of test and race kilometers in the Audi
R18 ultra for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) this year. Both are also
competing for the Belgian private WRT team in the Audi R8 LMS ultra. As Jarvis’
team partner in the FIA GT1 World Championship, Frank Stippler was nominated on
Thursday. Marco Bonanomi was announced in Belgium as the race driver for the
Blancpain Endurance Series. He will be sharing the cockpit with Laurens Vanthoor (B)
and Edward Sandström (S).
A word from ... Miguel Molina
This year, you are competing in the DTM in a team that is new for you. How was
your first meeting?
At Valencia, I just made a nice step forward with Audi Sport Team Phoenix. We’ve
only been working together since this winter but we’ve already got a pleasant and
productive atmosphere. I think we’ve put all the ingredients together to attract
attention this year.”
Ernst Moser’s team clinched the DTM title last year. Can this spirit be felt?
Absolutely! It’s a compact squad that wants to continue at the same level as last
year. You can feel that the team is giving everything for this – from my engineer and
team director Ernst Moser through to every single team member. That’s a good
feeling and gives me a lot of confidence.
You’ve just tested the Audi A5 DTM at Valencia. What’s your personal
assessment?
We had one test day in rainy and one day in dry weather in Spain, and completed all
our programs as planned. The feeling of driving the new A5 DTM compared with the
old A4 DTM is a difference like night and day. There’s much more mechanical grip,
more aerodynamics, larger body dimensions: everything is new and completely
different. I like the A5 DTM better than its predecessor. And I’m happy that not only
Audi but also my partner Red Bull continue to be committed to me. I’m already
excited about the first race at Hockenheim on April 29.

Coming up next week
March 31 Birmingham (USA), round 02, GRAND-AM
April 01 Okayama (J), Super GT, round 01
April 01 Oschersleben (D), ADAC GT Masters, round 01
Audi Sport.

WTCC: ROUTE TO: VALENCIA, SPAIN



ROUTE TO: VALENCIA, SPAIN

The 3rd and 4th rounds of the FIA WTCC will take place in Spain, at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo next week. This is the eighth consecutive visit of the World Championship to the Spanish stadium-like racetrack. This year the WTCC Race of Spain has been moved again to the beginning of the season, after being held in September in 2009 and 2010.
The 4km circuit does not seem to suit any particular car, as Manufacturers shared honours in the previous years. SEAT scored four victories on its home soil, just like Chevrolet that won both races in 2011 with Yvan Muller. BMW and Alfa Romeo won three times apiece.
Taking into account the potential they showed in Monza, claiming pole position and fighting with the Chevrolet Cruze cars for victory in Race 1, Gabriele Tarquini and his SEAT León seem able to try and score a first success for Lukoil Racing Team and SEAT Sport's new 1.6L turbo engine.
And we shouldn't forget a group of young Spaniards that will be worth watching: Pepe Oriola who drives a SEAT like Tarquini's and managed to chase the top drivers at Monza, Fernando Monje who faces his maiden WTCC appearance in a SEAT León TDi after dominating the FIA European Touring Car Cup opening rounds at Monza, and Isaac Tutumlu at the wheel of a Proteam Racing BMW 320 TC.

Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo will host WTCC's second meeting next week

EUROSPORT LAUNCHES WTCC SEASON IN MUNICH
Like every year Eurosport Events invited more than 250 guests, including partners, teams and media, to an exclusive season launch in Munich's "Upside East" roof garden.
Bernd Daubenmerkl, managing director of Eurosport Media delivered the opening speech: "These are tough times for car manufacturers and WTCC represents an excellent opportunity to invest in a cost effective motorsport programme that grants excellent returns in terms of media coverage and TV distribution. Which makes us a lot confident in the future."
Afterwards, championship promoter Marcello Lotti, Eric Nève of Chevrolet, Charles Ng of Liqui Moly Team Engstler and Dominik Greiner of Wiechers-Sport, took part in a round table on the status of the championship after the season's opening event at Monza.
"With 24 full season entries, four brands represented and two others - LADA and Honda - that will join, we are more than happy," Lotti said. "And now we may focus on the future developments of technical regulations. The FIA has created a working group that has the task to evaluate the introduction of environmental-friendly technologies - maybe a common hybrid system - modified suspension and a more aggressive look."
Eric Nève added: "Chevrolet's main goal is to retain the world titles, but we are also very much looking forward to race at Sonoma. Chevrolet is an American brand and a home race was one of our priorities for the WTCC programme. Finally we will be doing it and in style, because I believe that a Chevrolet vs Ford fight is the best present the championship could offer to the American motorsport fans!"



Charles Ng, Eric Nève, Marcello Lotti and Dominik Greiner during the Munich launch

BOARDMAN AND MONJE TO JOIN THE FIELDThe second race meeting of the season at Valencia will also mark Tom Boardman's and Fernando Monje's maiden appearance. For Boardman this will be a comeback, after the whole season in 2009 and a one-off outing in 2010. The Briton will be at the wheel of a SEAT León TDi car run by Special Tuning Racing. This until he will switch to SEAT Sport's new 1.6L turbo engine.As for the 19-year-old Monje, Valencia will be his first ever appearance in the World Championship, driving a SUNRED Engineering SEAT León TDi. That is the very same car in which he dominated the first two rounds of the FIA European Touring Car Cup at Monza."It was very important for me that I had a good weekend at Monza, in order to get to know the car in view of my WTCC debut at Valencia. Winning both races there has boosted my confidence and now I know I may do well in my home event," Monje said.CHEVROLET TEAM TESTED AT VALLELUNGAIn preparation of the Spanish event, the Chevrolet team spent two days testing at Vallelunga racetrack, nearby Rome.Project Manager Ron Hartvelt explained: "We did all our winter testing in Valencia, so we can say that we are well-practiced there. But it is notoriously a difficult track for front wheel-drive cars and we have to see how the extra weight affects us. This is why we went testing at Vallelunga with the three drivers as we had updates for the rear suspension that we wanted to validate. Vallelunga is not a usual choice, but has a stable Mediterranean climate and a design that suits the purpose of testing well. Additionally, it is quite representative of some of the WTCC tracks."WTCC NEW OFFICIAL WEBSITE IS ONLINEEurosport Events is proud to launch the new official website of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.The website has been radically redesigned with the aims of sporting a more dynamic and fan-friendly look, offering even more services to insiders and fans, including clips and highlights, and opening to social network activities. The new website is also directly linked to the WTCC iPhone and iPad applications.More features will be implemented during the season and special actions and competitions for the fans will be organized.Keep on following the only "Real car, real racing" World Championship on www.fiawtcc.com !WTCC AND GOLF TO TWIN AT MARRAKECHGolf is a very popular sport among the WTCC racers who have now the opportunity to challenge each others on the green before doing it on the racetrack. Marrakech's Al Maaden Golf will host the first edition of the Marrakech Grand Prix Golf Cup that will take place on April 12, only a few days before the race cars start running on the Circuit Moulay El Hassan.Located at the foot hills of the Atlas Mountains, the Al Maaden Golf opened in March 2010 and has hosted several professional and amateur tournaments since.

COUNTDOWN: - 9 DAYS

Fabio Ravaioli - FIA WTCC Media Delegate

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Audi makes colorful visual statement: new A5 DTM to sport final outfit for the first time




Audi makes colorful visual statement: new
A5 DTM to sport final outfit for the first time


􀀁 Strong partners for Audi in “title defense” project
􀀁 Testing activities of the three race teams have begun at Valencia
􀀁 Five weeks to go before the DTM starts at Hockenheim

Ingolstadt, March 21, 2012 – Five weeks before the eagerly awaited DTM season
opener at the Hockenheimring on April 29 Audi is making a colorful visual
statement. At the first official DTM track tests at Valencia, four new Audi A5 DTM
cars will be on track sporting their final outfits for the first time. The designs of
the other four race cars plus the partners for the “title defense” project have been
determined as well.
To be seen at Valencia will be the race cars driven by Mattias Ekström, Mike
Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider and Edoardo Mortara. The A5 DTM vehicles sporting the
liveries of Filipe Albuquerque, Rahel Frey, Miguel Molina and Adrien Tambay will be
used for the first time two weeks later, in tracks tests at Hockenheim from April 2 to
5.
The test at Valencia marks the beginning of the “final countdown” for the three Audi
Sport teams, Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg. After the engineers and
mechanics of all three teams had been jointly supporting Audi Sport’s development
work on the A5 DTM, the preparation of the race cars has started in Ingolstadt
following the A5 DTM’s homologation on March 1. At Valencia, the three teams will
be testing their “own” cars for the first time.
As in previous years, Audi can rely in its DTM project on strong partners whose brand
logos will be featured on the total of eight new Audi A5 DTM cars, the trucks, garage
equipment and of course the racing suits of the Audi drivers.
The two vehicles of the two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström (S) and the
Spaniard Miguel Molina are sporting the same graphics as before. Their blue Audi A5
DTM cars are emblazoned with the striking red bull of the Austrian energy drink
producer Red Bull.
Timo Scheider (D), the 2009 and 2010 DTM Champion, is advertising the AUTO TEST
monthly magazine published by Axel Springer Auto Verlag like last year. After a
season with a completely white vehicle, his A5 DTM is now receiving a large portion
of yellow, which stands for the E-POSTBRIEF (secure electronic mail) product from
Deutsche Post AG.
Starting into the new season with white-yellow graphics as well, albeit with the
colors in reverse order compared to Scheider’s car, is Rahel Frey, as the young Swiss
is spurred on by the postal service as well. The second partner featured on her A5 is
the Computer Bild Spiele magazine published by Axel Springer Verlag.
The yellow with which Mike Rockenfeller (D) will start from the grid has a different
color tone. The 2010 Le Mans winner is driving the A5 DTM sporting the
conspicuously brilliant yellow-green livery with which Martin Tomczyk won the DTM
title for Audi last year. The Schaeffler Group with its LuK, INA and FAG product
brands is the sponsor.
The race car driven by Edoardo Mortara (I/F), the 2011 rookie of the year, has
acquired a more colorful look as well. The black base color continues to stand for the
men’s magazine Playboy. The red on the vehicle flanks of his new A5 DTM is reserved
for Audi Sport performance cars.
Filipe Albuquerque’s Audi continues to be blue. As before, the Portuguese is
advertising the TV Movie magazine published by Bauer Media Group.
The silver-white eighth Audi A5 DTM to be driven by newcomer Adrien Tambay (F)
bears the “Audi ultra” inscription. Under this nameplate, the brand with the four
rings has consolidated its ultra-lightweight technology which Audi aims to
communicate to a large audience in the DTM for the first time as well.
Further renowned brands – Alpinestars, the world’s leading company for highperformance
motorsport clothing, Audi Top Service, watchmaker TAG Heuer, who
has been on board ever since Audi’s Le Mans commitment in 2010, cloud computing
specialist EMC2, Kicker sports magazine, game console ace Nintendo, the Würth
Group, spring manufacturer Eibach and wheel expert O.Z. – are joining Audi on the
2012 DTM grid as co-sponsors.

“That almost all our partners from last year continue to be with us and that we
managed to inspire the enthusiasm of Alpinestars, EMC2, Kicker and TAG Heuer as
new strong brands for the DTM and for Audi clearly shows that the DTM’s popularity
will increase even further this year,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang
Ullrich. “Without the support of our partners it wouldn’t be possible to field a total
of eight cars under a factory commitment in such a high-caliber racing series. In
addition, they are adding color. I think that our designers in collaboration with our
partners have managed to get very beautiful cars off the ground. I’m convinced that
the fans will feel similarly and that the sporty elegance of the Audi A5 and the
unique shape of the coupe will impress in the DTM as well.”
The Audi teams in the 2012 DTM

Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline
Mattias Ekström (Red Bull Audi A5 DTM)
Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi A5 DTM)

Audi Sport Team Abt
Rahel Frey (E-POSTBRIEF Audi A5 DTM)
Adrien Tambay (Audi ultra A5 DTM)

Audi Sport Team Phoenix
Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler Audi A5 DTM)
Miguel Molina (Red Bull Audi A5 DTM)

Audi Sport Team Rosberg
Edoardo Mortara (Playboy Audi A5 DTM)
Filipe Albuquerque (TV Movie Audi A5 DTM)
Audi Sport.

Tuesday 20 March 2012

The FIA's Action for Road Safety campaign received a ringing endorsement from the stars of Formula One at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.




The FIA's Action for Road Safety campaign received a ringing endorsement from the stars of Formula One at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Drivers from all teams contesting the 2012 FIA Formula One Championship posed for photographs on the grid at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit holding cards bearing the FIA's Golden Rules for safe driving, which feature ten key messages aimed at improving safety on the world's roads.

Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel was joined by five former title-winners - Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikonnen - as well as stars from each of the 12 teams to advocate on such issues as the eradication of drink and drug driving, mobile phone use while at the wheel, and the promotion of helmet use by motorcyclists and bike riders.

ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY IN POLE POSITION AT WEC

The inaugural round of the FIA's new World Endurance Championship saw FIA Action for Road Safety at the top of the agenda as the pole-winning Audi R18 of Andre Lotterer and co-drivers Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler, took to the grid emblazoned with the logo of the FIA campaign which aims to aid in saving five million lives on the world's roads by 2020.

The trio were joined for photographs by FIA President Jean Todt, who thanked the drivers and Audi for their support, and by FIA Senate President Nick Craw.

The campaign also received support over the weekend from Claude Plassart, President of the Automobile club de l'Ouest and a number of other drivers taking part in the 12 Hours of Sebring classic, the opening round of the WEC.

Karun Chandok and David Brabham of the JRM team, Rebellion Racing's Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Prost and eventual race winner Allan McNish of Audi wore badges in support of the FIA initiative.

McNish went on to win his fourth 12 Hours of Sebring in an Audi R18 co-driven by Tom Kristensen, who took his sixth win and Dindo Capello for whom it was a fifth crown.

FIA Press.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen preys on ADAC GT Masters title






Heinz-Harald Frentzen preys on ADAC GT Masters title

Former Formula 1 world vice champion and DTM driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen (44, Neuss) wants to know it again. Four times with ADAC GT Masters race winner Andreas Wirth (27, Heidelberg) Frentzen's goal is to have a say in the "league of super sports car" is a word used to name it.

The newly formed duo Frentzen / Wirth relies on a Z06 Corvette Callaway Competition. Last year's team-mate Frentzen in the U.S. muscle car, ski jumping legend Sven Hannawald (37, Munich), has been imposed for the 2012 season itself a "learning year" in 2013 and is planning a return to active racing events.

Frentzen will fight with ADAC GT Masters race winner at Wirth title
Less than 14 days before the start of the season of the ADAC GT Masters, 30 March to 1 April at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben Frentzen goes with his plans for the 2012 racing season from cover. Together according to the ADAC GT Masters debut last year with Hannawald wants to know the Formula 1 world vice champion in 1997 and again takes the "Project championship," tackle. "The ADAC ​​GT Masters Championship has awesome potential, it's really fun. Now we want something more, and attack from a safe recovery," the 157-times Grand Prix participants Frentzen said before his second season in the "league of super sports cars."

The new team-mate Frentzen in the 2012 season for the more advanced Callaway Corvette, Andreas Wirth, has enjoyed success in Formula racing before joining the GT cars prescribed. Earlier in his career looked to be host motorsport fortunes in the United States and made it there until the Champ Car series, then the U.S. counterpart to Formula 1 For three years the 27-year-old in the ADAC GT Masters will be successful, and together with Frentzen now a start on the title.

Team boss Wöhr also predicts podium
"I am delighted that Heinz-Harald Frentzen will start again this year for us and with us to the title in the ​​GT Masters Championship takes," says Callaway Competition Team Director Ernst Wöhr. "Heinz-Harald has given us already impressed in the last year and I am sure that he makes this year a lot of attention. Welcome Welcome to Callaway Competition, I would like Andreas Wirth, who has already been tested in the past with us and a very strong impression left behind. Andrew has celebrated in his previous motor sport career many successes in the U.S. and is a very rapid increase in our driver line-up. I'm sure that Frentzen and Wirth and Daniel Keilwitz and Diego Alessi in the roller- his Corvette regular visitor to the podium. "
ADAC GT Masters

Monday 19 March 2012

First Super GT test: Cyndie Allemann passes the rookie test with success



First Super GT test: Cyndie Allemann passes the rookie test with success

Press release

Okayama, Japan, March 18, 2012 – It was a dressed rehearsal for Cyndie Allemann this weekend as she took part of the Japanese Super GT Series pre-season official test at Okayama International Circuit. After signing a contract for an Audi R8 LMS driving seat with Hitotsuyama Racing last month, it was the first chance for the motor racing star from Switzerland to taste the Super GT experience, and meet competitors and fans alike.

“First weekend, first tests in Super GT. First of all, it was all about starting to really work with the team and to discover the series – in particular the GT500 cars on track, as sharing the track with those can be a bit stressful as they are much faster than us (the GT300) on the straight line. I feel like I’m back at Le Mans having to manage the traffic while at the same time focusing on my driving and on-track performances. For the next race, not loosing too much time in traffic will be a big challenge.”

“Otherwise, discovering the paddock was impressive. The cars are amazing and now I’m even more looking forward to this whole season – for me, it’s positive all the way. The Japanese fans who followed me this weekend gave me a lot of support and it’s great to see that a race car driver coming from Switzerland can have a lot of success in another country, especially in Japan.”

Even more important, Cyndie still had to pass the very strict Super GT rookie test – a necessary step to be allowed to race in the prestigious series. She passed this test on her very first attempt, despite the difficult and treacherous weather conditions, clocking the mandatory ten laps all faster than a minimum set time.

“The main thing for me to remember this weekend was the rookie test. Needless to say that there was some pressure, as it was under difficult conditions with sometimes rain, sometimes sun and sometimes greasy track conditions. In addition, the rookie test is fairly strict, as we must make good lap times and if we’re too far off the pole time, or if we spin or go off the track, we don’t pass the test. So I must admit that with the difficult conditions, my stress level was a bit on the high side. But I did pass on my first try and I’m therefore qualified for the series, so it was positive.”

The celebrations were very short for the hard-working Swiss as she spent the rest of the weekend learning the twisty Okayama track, as well as getting to know her new Audi R8 LMS. On Sunday, she was joined by her new teammate Akihiro Tsuzuki for further tests and making even more laps on the Okayama International Circuit, in prevision for the opening round of the Super GT Series in two weeks at the same track.

“In general, my test program went well and I’m progressively getting better – my experience in GT racing is not really big, after all. In addition, it was a new team for me, as well as a new car and a new track, so I took it one step at a time in order to get better track performance. With my teammate Aki, I was able to do some good testing, with tires tests and see the difference between the different types of compounds – that was very interesting, incidentally, as I didn’t think that there was that many differences.”

“In terms of performances, I reached all the goals that I set, but it is clear that there is still a lot of work before getting to the top-3. Little by little, I’m starting to understand the car, but we must still get better to find the right setups on the R8 LMS, because we still have some understeer issues. But all in all, those tests have been quite positive to prepare the first race of the season in two weeks.”

About Cyndie Allemann:
Cyndie Allemann: a World class driver, top athlete and brand ambassador. Always a fan favorite, whether in Europe, in the USA and soon in Japan, 25 years old Cyndie Allemann was literally born for speed.

Her 18-year racing career has seen her compete at the highest levels in many different series and tracks around the World: karting (winning the European junior title when she was only thirteen), open-wheel (EuroF3, Indy Lights, etc.), GT (FIA-GT1 World Championship) and endurance racing (GT1 podium at Spa in the Le Mans Series, 24 Hours of Le Mans, etc.). In 2012, she races in the Japan Super GT Series with the Hitotsuyama Racing team on the Audi R8 LMS.

For more info on Cyndie or to follow her, visit her web site and her facebook fan page at:
www.cyndieallemann.ch
www.facebook.com/CyndieAllemannOfficialPage

Photo material available upon request.

About Hitotsuyama Racing:
Founded in 1990 by Mikio Hitotsuyama, Hitotsuyama Racing team has an experience of more than twenty years in auto racing. The team has competed in many top level championships such as the Super GT (formerly known as the JGTC), the Le Mans Series, the Japan Le Mans Challenge (in LMP1, GT1 and GT2 classes), the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan and the Japan Touring Championship. The team has raced many top drivers and set itself apart by its bold vision regarding its racing programs, as well as its ultra-professional approach. Its 2012 racing program includes a full participation in the Super GT championship with two Audi R8 LMS in the GT300 class.

For more info on Hitotsuyama Racing, visit the team web site at:
www.hitotsuyamaracing.net

About the Super GT series:
Born 20 years ago under the name of All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC), the Super GT is the most prestigious auto racing GT series in Japon and Asia. With its two classes (GT300 and GT500), Super GT races are highly competitive with more than 40 regular car entrants. The series is authorized by the FIA and many teams get official support from car manufacturers.
Cyndie Allemann Press
Photo: Eric Gilbert

World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA Successful race debut for the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
















World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA
Successful race debut for the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR


Stuttgart. At the Sebring 12 hour race, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR celebrated a successful race premiere. At the wheel of the 911 fielded by the Felbermayr-Proton team, Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Patrick Pilet (France) secured second place in the GTE Pro class at the long distance classic in Florida and with this made a very promising start into the new World Endurance Championship.

“Second place is a great result. Right from the start, our new 911 GT3 RSR was reliable and that’s very positive,” said Marc Lieb. “But we lacked the speed to win off our own bat.” Richard Lietz, who had to start from the back of the field because the cockpit temperature of his Porsche in qualifying was one degree over what was permitted, said, “I’m very satisfied with how the race went. For twelve hours our 911 ran without the slightest technical problem. Which is, of course, not something you take for granted at the first race with a new car.”

Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti made a superb start to the season. With the second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (2011 model year) run by Felbermayr-Proton they celebrated victory in the GTE Am class. “This win is a perfect way to kick off the season,” Ried commented. “The last one and half hours of the race were incredibly tough for Paolo, because he had to cope without power steering.”

With the tradition-steeped twelve hour race on the Sebring International Raceway the American Le Mans Series also took off into the season. Driving the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for Paul Miller Racing, Sascha Maassen (Germany), Bryce Miller (USA) and Rob Bell (Great Britain) secured fifth place in the GT class. At the wheel of Flying Lizard Motorsports’ 911, Americans Seth Neiman, Darren Law and Andy Lally saw the flag in seventh place.

For two other new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the season-opening round in the sunshine state of the USA brought less than perfect results. Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) secured ninth with Bryan Sellers (USA) and Martin Ragginger (Austria). After the qualifying, their Falken Tire team had to replace the engine in the 911, and although the mechanics managed this in record time, he still took up the race one lap behind. Things were not a lot better for his factory pilot colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and Marco Holzer (Germany) in the second Flying Lizard Porsche: In the formation lap, a Ferrari rammed into the rear of the Porsche, which threw them far back. After putting in a spirited chase, they still managed to yield tenth and earn valuable points towards the championship.

“Our car ran better in the race than it did in qualifying. We drove consistently fast lap times to the end,” stated Wolf Henzler. Marco Holzer added: “That was a bitter race. It was already over for us before it had really begun. So our goal was to finish the 70 percent distance and safeguard those important championship points.”

Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche motorsport, regarded the start of the season as positive. “Compliments to the Felbermayr-Proton team for their victory in GTE-Am class and second place in GTE-Pro class. This was almost an optimum result,” he

said. “I am extremely pleased with the reliability of the new 911 GT3 RSR. As far as the time difference to our fastest rivals in qualifying and in the race is concerned, we will be analysing that gap to determine whether the performance balancing influenced this. Congratulations as well to Paul Miller Racing for its great result in the American Le Mans Series with fifth. It’s a pity that the race was over before the start for one of our strongest cars, it was not the team’s fault.”

Round two of the World Endurance Championship takes place on 5 May 2012 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium. On 14 April, round two of the American Le Mans Series takes off on the street course in Long Beach, California.


Results

World Endurance Championship
GTE Pro class

1. Bertolini/Beretta/Cioci (I/MC/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 307 laps
2. Lieb/Lietz/Pilet (D/A/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 306
3. Mücke/Fernandez/Turner (D/MEX/GB), Aston Martin Vantage, 291
4. Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander (I/I/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, 215
5. Melo/Makowiecki/Vernay (BRA/F/F), Ferrari F458 Italia, 183

GTE Am class
1. Ried/Roda/Ruberti (D/I/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 298 laps
2. Bourret/Gibon/Belloc (F/F/F), Chevrolet Corvette, 297
3. Bornhauser/Canal/Lamy (F/F/P), Chevrolet Corvette, 288
4. Kaufmann/Waltrip/Aguas (USA/USA/P), Ferrari F458, 283
5. Krohn/Jönsson/Rugolo (USA/S/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 265
6. Binnie/Palttala/Camathias (USA/SF/CH), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 251


American Le Mans Series
GT class

1. Hand/Müller/Summerton (USA/D/USA), BMW E92 M3, 307 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia/Taylor (DK/E/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 307
3. Gavin/Milner/Westbrook (GB/USA/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 307
4. Müller/Auberlen/Alzen (D/USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 306
5. Maassen/Miller/Bell (D/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 302
6. Brown/Segal/Lazzaro (USA/USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 302
7. Law/Neiman/Lally (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 302
9. Henzler/Sellers/Ragginger (D/USA/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 289
10. Bergmeister/Long/Holzer (D/USA/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 251

GTC class
1. Sweedler/Bell/von Moltke (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 291 laps
2. Keen/Dumoulin/MacNeil (USA/CAN/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 291
3. Faulkner/Bleekemolen/LaSaffe (IRL/NL/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 290


Points’ standings


World Endurance Championship
Teams GTE Pro

1. AF Corse, Ferrari, 25 points
2. Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche, 18
3. Aston Martin Racing, Aston Martin, 15

Teams GTE Am
1. Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche, 25 points
2. Labre Competition, Chevrolet, 18
3. AF Corse-Waltrip, Ferrari , 12

American Le Mans Series
GT class
1. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Jonathan Summerton, BMW , 24 points
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor, Chevrolet , 20
3. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Richard Westbrook, Chevrolet, 17
5. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Rob Bell, Porsche, 12
7. Seth Neiman, Andy Lally, Darren Law. Porsche, 8
9. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Martin Ragginger, Porsche, 6
10. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer , Porsche, 5

Manufacturers
1. BMW, 24 points
2. Chevrolet, 20
3. Porsche , 12
4. Ferrari, 10

Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 24 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 20
3. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 12
4. Extreme Speed Motorsports, Ferrari, 10


This is the World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles race in the new World Endurance Championship. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:
LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
LMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
Oliver Hilger

Sunday 18 March 2012

Audi one-two victory at FIA World Endurance Championship opener




Audi one-two victory at FIA World
Endurance Championship opener


• Capello/Kristensen/McNish win with a four-lap lead
• Successful farewell performance of the Audi R18 TDI
• Tenth victory for Audi at Sebring 12 Hours

Ingolstadt/Sebring, March 17, 2012 – On the R18 TDI’s farewell performance
Audi managed a brilliant start into the new FIA World Endurance Championship
(WEC). With victory by Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish the brand
celebrated its tenth overall success in total at the famous Sebring 12 Hours in the
U.S. state of Florida. New signing Loïc Duval completed Audi’s one-two victory
together with his team-mates Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas.
Suspense through to the end: In a race that was interrupted by a total of eleven
caution periods, Capello/Kristensen/McNish in the Audi R18 TDI designated as car
number “2” had to work hard for their victory. Their rivals from their own team in
car number “3” consistently remained within a striking distance with gaps of a few
seconds in the first ten of the race’s 12 hours. The safety car repeatedly reduced the
gaps of the trio at the front but Bernhard/Dumas/Duval lost four laps shortly before
the end of the race due to body contact with a competitor.
At the same time, Audi Sport Team Joest kept its opponents at bay with perfect
tactics. The squad set alternating pit stop intervals for its two best Audi R18 TDI
cars which consistently kept their quickest rivals from HPD-Honda one lap behind
the two diesel-powered sports cars. The race was dominated by heavy traffic and a
large number of accidents in the field of 63 entrants but thanks to the precisionwork
of the drivers the victorious R18 TDI managed to cover the whole distance
without any body damage.
Yet not only the tenth Audi victory at the 60th anniversary run of the Sebring 12
Hours is a milestone in the history books. Tom Kristensen as the record holder
celebrated as much as his sixth personal success at the classic race in Florida, Dindo
Capello his fifth and Allan McNish his fourth. Three years before, the trio had
clinched Audi’s last victory to date.
The third Audi initially had perfect chances of finishing in a top position as well.
André Lotterer, who had clinched the first pole position in qualifying for the new FIA
World Endurance Championship for Audi, together with his team-mates Benoît
Tréluyer and Marcel Fässler was the fiercest rival of the subsequent winners. Shortly
before the race’s midpoint, car number “1” lost 17 laps though. A defective
electrical shifting unit on the transmission forced the team to make an unscheduled
repair in the tent. In the end, the three Le Mans winners from last year finished in
16th place overall and fifth in the LMP1 category of the WEC classification.
While the Audi R18 TDI in the presence of Jean Todt, the President of the FIA,
delivered its successful farewell performance at Sebring, media and guests of Audi
of America had the chance to get a glimpse of the future. On the fringes of the event
Audi presented to them the new R18 e-tron quattro which like the new R18 ultra
will be fielded as of the second WEC round on May 5 at Spa (Belgium). A week
before, the new Audi A5 DTM will also be making its eagerly awaited debut at the
Hockenheimring.
Quotes after the race
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Obviously, it’s nice that after the
tenth pole position for Audi at Sebring we managed to achieve the tenth victory as
well. For us, it was a great start into the season and into the new FIA World
Endurance Championship. We had three cars here that were running at absolutely
equal speed. They allowed us to score this one-two victory. Unfortunately, there was
a small problem with the third car which prevented us from having all three cars in
front in the end. Still, everyone in the squad can be proud of this result.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “That was a pretty
strenuous race. And our rivals were really close on our heels. They were a tiny bit
slower than we but in the caution period they wouldn’t ease up on us. They only
started having problems in the end. Those were eleven hours of hard work for us.
Well done to Dindo (Capello), Tom (Kristensen) and Allan (McNish). It was a superb
drive. Fortunately, we made believers out of all those who thought we’d forgotten
how to drive cars. Congratulations, too, to the drivers of the other two cars. They
were all at the same level. It’s a shame that car number “1” had the shifting
problem. One repair stop at the tent and your race is over. The other car was a bit
unfortunate in the caution periods in which we also had to act strategically. On the
other hand, it had benefited from the yellow flags in the beginning. In the end, after
slight body contact, they finished as the runners-up. And I’m proud of our
mechanics too, who practiced a lot during the winter. A nice WEC opening victory!
That motivates the whole squad.”
Dindo Capello (Audi R18 TDI #2): “Allan (McNish), Tom (Kristensen) and I have
been waiting for this victory for three years. It was the right time to be back on the
top of the podium. It’s a sweet success, also because we drove the Audi R18 TDI for
the first time here at Sebring. Bringing the car home without any scratches in a field
of 63 vehicles is no easy feat. We learned a lot last year. Today we showed that we
can get through traffic without body contact in a closed car as well.”
Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 TDI #2): “Audi Sport Team Joest did a fantastic job. Our
R18 TDI had a good set-up. Allan (McNish) and Dindo (Capello) did a perfect job of
driving. We had a tremendous battle with our team-mates. But the HPD-Hondas and
the Rebellion-Toyota cars chased us for a long time as well. We were always able to
work out a small advantage but that could also have easily gone wrong with the
many caution periods. The car was running well but traffic was a real challenge and
the temperatures around noon, when I was sitting in the cockpit for a long time,
were pretty high. It was tough clinching victory here. Everyone in the team and at
home at Audi can be proud of this. It’s great that we won the anniversary race and
the WEC opener here. But we’re already looking forward to the next race when we’ll
have something in our hands that production development will benefit from yet
again as well: a hybrid vehicle.”
Allan McNish (Audi R18 TDI #2): “I’m very proud of the team. We worked very hard
for this victory. Together with the engineers and the mechanics Tom (Kristensen),
Dindo (Capello) and I invested a lot of time in working out the optimal race setup.
That paid off because I think we had the best race car today. It was consistently fast
and made it possible for us to be in contention from the beginning to the end. The
new world championship couldn’t have started better for us than with a victory.”
Timo Bernhard (Audi R18 TDI #3): “It was a great race and we finished as the
runners-up after being in contention for victory for a long time. Unfortunately, there
was a collision with a slower car on the straight toward the end of the race. That’s
why we had stop for a short repair in the pits. Afterwards, I drove to the car to a
second-place finish. These are valuable championship points. The one-two victory is
fantastic for Audi – well done to the team.”

Romain Dumas (Audi R18 TDI #3): “That was a nice race with good battles. We
gave our best and were in contention for victory for a long time. Unfortunately,
there was an incident of slight body contact toward the end. But ultimately we
scored a nice second place.”
Loïc Duval (Audi R18 TDI #3): “Sebring yet again showed that it’s a difficult race.
As late as on the final laps we encountered a small problem but achieved the aim
nonetheless: Audi won and also took second place. Finishing on the podium right on
my first run for Audi was a nice experience for me – a good race!”
Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 TDI #1): “We took off from pole, had a good start and
were among the front runners in terms of speed. The car was running really well and
I was very pleased. About halfway through the race we had a shifting problem which
cost us a few laps. At least we scored a few points in the end. Obviously, we’re a bit
disappointed because we could have achieved a better result. But we were among
the front runners today and that’s why I’m looking ahead with a positive mindset.”
André Lotterer (Audi R18 TDI #1): “Congratulations to Audi, to Tom (Kristensen),
Dindo (Capello) and Allan (McNish). They did a perfect job. It’s nice that Audi won
again at Sebring. I’m a little disappointed with the result of our car. We had a
technical problem and afterwards the race was unfortunately over for us. We’ve got
to settle with the fastest time in qualifying and the fastest race lap. These things
can happen in motorsport. But the potential was there. Next time we want to at the
front of the field again.”
Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 TDI #1): “For Audi, it’s been a great day with a one-two
victory. A nice team success! We would have liked to make our contribution to it. Our
lap times were good but we had a difficult day. We were on the same lap as the
leading car for a long time and took no risks. Unfortunately, a problem with the
shifting unit came up about halfway through the race. That cost us a lot of time.
Afterwards, the race was only about finishing without any mistakes.”

Race results
1 Capello/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 TDI) 325 laps
2 Bernhard/Dumas/Duval (Audi R18 TDI) - 4 laps
3 Potolicchio/Dalziel/Sarrazin (HPD-Honda) - 6 laps
4 Tucker/Bouchut/Barbosa (HPD-Honda) - 6 laps
5 Nicolet/Lahaye/Pla (Morgan-Judd) - 7 laps
6 Collard/Boullion/Jousse (Pescarolo-Judd) - 7 laps
7 Perez Companc/Kaffer/Ayari (Oreca) - 8 laps
8 Dyson/Smith/Kane (Lola-Mazda) - 8 laps
9 Zugel/Gonzalez/Julian (Zytek) - 9 laps
10 Leventis/Watts/Kane (HPD-Honda) - 9 laps
Audi Sport.

Saturday 17 March 2012

Tenth pole position for Audi at Sebring




Tenth pole position for Audi at Sebring

• Fastest time for Audi FIA World Endurance Championship premiere
• André Lotterer surpasses last year’s pole by 0.751 seconds
• Audi R18 TDI occupies top three grid positions on its farewell run

Ingolstadt/Sebring, March 16, 2012 – Audi is starting into the new FIA World
Endurance Championship (WEC) from the top three grid positions. At the Sebring
12 Hours (U.S. state of Florida) André Lotterer managed to post his first fastest
time in qualifying as an Audi driver. This means that for the tenth time an Audi
will enter the endurance classic race in Florida from the pole position. The other
two Audi R18 TDI cars created very good prerequisites for themselves as well: Tom
Kristensen took position two and Romain Dumas third on the grid.
Perfect performance: André Lotterer in the Audi R18 TDI designated as car number
“1” managed an impressive pinpoint landing. The German only needed one flying lap
in the qualifying session that merely lasted 15 minutes to set the fastest time. Right
on his first trial Lotterer, who is running together with Marcel Fässler and Benoît
Tréluyer, was clocked at 1m 45.820s, beating last year’s fastest time by 0.751
seconds. A performance that is exceptionally strong as the current regulations have
reduced the engine output of the Audi R18 TDI once more at the beginning of the
2012 season.
The five-time Sebring winner Tom Kristensen, who in car number “2” qualified for
the front row as well, followed 0.395 seconds behind Lotterer on position two. The
next best rival was Romain Dumas in the Audi R18 TDI of Audi Sport Team Joest. The
Frenchman in car number “3” achieved the third-best time (1m 46.935s).
The three top grid positions were a nice reward for the mechanics of Audi Sport
Team Joest, who after an incident in the night practice session on Thursday evening
in which two of the R18 TDI cars were involved had to work late into the night.

Numerous accidents and red flags in all previous practice sessions proved that the
64 participants in the 60th running of the Sebring 12 Hours are in for a particularly
tough race. The drivers nominated to drive the three Audi R18 TDI cars at the start
are Marcel Fässler (#1), Allan McNish (#2) and Timo Bernhard (#3). The fans can
watch the eagerly awaited WEC inaugural event on Saturday (10:30 to 22:30, local
time) via live streaming at www.audi.tv.
The Audi R18 TDI that was victorious in Le Mans in 2011 is contesting its last race at
Sebring before being replaced by the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro that was
presented to members of the media and guests of Audi of America on the fringes of
the event and the new Audi R18 ultra.

Quotes after qualifying
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Grid position one for the tenth
time at Sebring is a great result after Thursday hadn’t been so easy for us. We’ve
now seen a positive turn of events and that’s a nice reward for the team’s hard work.
On the other hand we know that although a good qualifying result is very nice the
race is obviously the crucial part. We’re in for twelve hours that’ll be difficult for all
the teams.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “Well done to André
(Lotterer). That was a superb lap which he set right on the mark. The others tried
that as well but didn’t quite make it. Romain even had a small spin. The cars are
good, we knew that. After the major repair we tried out the third car again in free
practice on Friday morning. The guys did a great job. In qualifying we saw that the
others aren’t that far away. That’ll be a very close situation in the race. The
important thing is that our cars are easy to drive in traffic.”
Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 TDI #1): “I don’t know what André (Lotterer) had for
breakfast. His showing was simply incredible – he just needed one lap to lay a 1m
45.8 on track. That’s a word! Well done to André, that was a fantastic lap.”
André Lotterer (Audi R18 TDI #1): “It wasn’t easy because we didn’t drive the last
free practice session this morning. Going into qualifying like this is a nice wake-up
call. The lap was okay and, fortunately, it was enough for pole. Of course it’s nice
being in front today. But with 60 cars on track, tomorrow will be a much tougher
story. Pole won’t be of such great help then. Still, it’s a great thing for my teammates
and me.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 TDI #1): “Things couldn’t have gone any better for us
than this. It was a great qualifying session for us. André (Lotterer) only went out on
track for a very short time and it took him only one lap to clinch the pole position for
us: a fantastic performance!”
Dindo Capello (Audi R18 TDI #2): “A tremendous result. On the first start of the
Audi R18 TDI at Sebring the car takes positions one, two and three. Tom
(Kristensen) did a very good job of driving in qualifying. It was important not to risk
too much because we need a good car for the race. André’s lap was fantastic. He
drove his best time right on his first trial. Well done to him, to Tom and also to
Romain (Dumas). The front row on the grid is very good for not having extremely
heavy traffic. Allan is a fantastic starter.”
Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 TDI #2): “This was a productive week in which we did a
good job of preparing for the race. Qualifying was interesting: In the beginning I
was in front. And when I had a particularly good feeling for the next trial a car came
out on track from the pit lane. As a result, I wasn’t able to defend myself against
André Lotterer who was running really well. Positions one, two and three – in the
end we couldn’t have scored a better result than that: a good start into the world
championship and the 60th running of the Sebring 12 Hours.”
Allan McNish (Audi R18 TDI #2): “Sebring is showing us again that this track is
anything but easy. More than anything else, the heavy traffic will be an issue. It’s
important that we’ve been doing well so far. We’ve concentrated on the race set-up
and not on having the quickest car in the end. We’ll be doing nothing but overtaking
for twelve hours and need a car that’s good in these conditions. Well done to André
(Lotterer) and Tom (Kristensen) on taking the front row and to Romain (Dumas),
who is completing the trio. That’s a head start to the world championship!”
Timo Bernhard (Audi R18 TDI #3): “For Audi, with positions one, two and three,
qualifying went really well. In our car Romain (Dumas) was very quick on a
particularly good trial up to the last turn. But then he unfortunately lost the car on
the bumps in the track. We took a closer look at that: Up to that point he was equal
to André (Lotterer). But third place is not a bad starting base for an endurance race.
We’re pleased with the set-up of our Audi R18 TDI and looking positively toward the
race.”
Romain Dumas (Audi R18 TDI #3): “Qualifying was quite alright. My first trial
hadn’t been so good and on my second one a Rebellion came out of the pit lane right
in front of me. Afterwards the tires weren’t good enough anymore and I made a
driving mistake. Still, I agree with the result.”
Loïc Duval (Audi R18 TDI #3): “Our Qualifying was pretty good. And for Audi the
main aim has been achieved, grid positions one to three. Romain (Dumas) drove the
third-best time in our car. Unfortunately, he spun on a very fast trial on the bumps
in the last turn. Otherwise, a bit more might have been possible.”

Qualifying results
1 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 TDI) 1m 45.820s
2 Capello/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 TDI) 1m 46.215s
3 Bernhard/Dumas/Duval (Audi R18 TDI) 1m 46.935s
4 Luhr/Graf/Pagenaud (HPD-Honda) 1m 47.536s
5 Moreau/Baguette/Kraihamer (OAK-Pescarolo-Judd) 1m 48.319s
6 Brabham/Chandhok/Dumbreck (HPD-Honda) 1m 48.439s
7 Leventis/Watts/Kane (HPD-Honda) 1m 48.590s
8 Prost/Jani/Heidfeld (Lola-Toyota) 1m 48.630s
9 Belicchi/Primat/Bleekemolen (Lola-Toyota) 1m 48.956s
10 Collard/Boullion/Jousse (Pescarolo-Judd) 1m 50.200s
Audi Sport.

World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA Porsche with seven works drivers at anniversary classic in Florida











World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA
Green light for new World Endurance Championship


Stuttgart. With the qualifying session for the tradition-steeped twelve hour race on the Sebring International Raceway in Florida/USA, both the new World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series took off into the new season. The long distance classic, at which the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR makes its race debut, marks the only time that the two series run together.

In the GTE Pro class of the World Endurance Championship, Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) planted his Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR on the fifth grid spot. At the wheel of the second Felbermayr-Proton Porsche, Paolo Ruberti (Italy) posted fourth in the GTE Am class. “My lap was perfect and our car feels very good,” said Richard Lietz. “Still, the gap is too big. We’ll be analysing this and trying to close that gap as quickly as possible.”

In the American Le Mans Series, Porsche factory pilot Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) also posted the fifth best time in the GT class with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports. “That was a decent lap,” he said, “but it was all that was possible today.” His works driver colleague Wolf Henzler (Germany) clocked the eighth quickest time in Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. “We have to get more familiar with our new car,” he said. “It handles the bumps extremely well, but we still experienced way too much oversteer.” Sascha Maassen (Germany) posted the new 911 run by Paul Miller Racing on ninth and commented, “We turned our fastest lap of the weekend during qualifying and that’s exactly how it should be. But we’re still in the process of familiarising ourselves with the tyres of the new car. And there’s a great deal of potential there.”

Several pilots from the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup are using the GTC class, which they contest with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, to gain experience in international long distance racing. The seasoned Supercup and Carrera Cup pilot Sean Edwards (Great Britain) clinched pole position with Damien Faulkner (Ireland) posting second. Reigning Supercup rookie champion Kévin Estre (France) put his 911 on position five. Nicki Thiim (Denmark), who contests the world’s fastest international one-brand series for the 2012 season, qualified on sixth. “That was an exciting qualifying. We are all very close,” said Sean Edwards. “My team has done a great job in preparing the 911. Last year an accident before the qualifying prevented us from competing in the race. Now we’re back with a vengeance.”

The race starts on Saturday, 17 March, at 10.30 hrs local time (15.30 hrs CET) and is broadcast live on www.alms.com.

Qualifying re

World Endurance Championship
GTE Pro class
1. Gianmaria Bruni (I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:58.427 minutes
2. Jaime Melo (BRA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.286 seconds
3. Olivier Beretta (MC), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.611
4. Stefan Mücke (D), Aston Martin Vantage, + 1.697
5. Richard Lietz (A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.779

GTE Am class
1. Dominik Farnbacher (D), Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:00.258 minutes
2. Niclas Jonsson (S), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.745 seconds
3. Pedro Lamy (P), Chevrolet Corvette, + 1.456
4. Paolo Ruberti (I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.603

American Le Mans Series
GT class
1. Jan Magnussen (DK), Chevrolet Corvette, 1:58.996 minutes
2. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.011 seconds
3. Joey Hand (USA), BMW M3, + 1.031
4. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 1.098
5. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.123
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.636
9. Sascha Maassen (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 3.154
10. Seth Neiman (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 8.358

GTC class
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2:06.674 minutes
2. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, +0.023 seconds
3. Leh Keen (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.037


This is the World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles race in the new World Endurance Championship. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:
LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
sultLMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. At the season-opener in Sebring, the field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
Oliver Hilger