Dominant First Win For Audi at Total 24 Hours of Spa

Dominant First Win For Audi at Total 24 Hours of Spa

For thirteen hours the nr33 Audi Sport Team WRT (Belgian Audi Club) Audi R8 LMS of Timo Scheider, Greg Franchi and Matthias Ekstrom led the largest field of cars to take part in the Total 24 Hours of Spa for many years and after completing 545 laps Scheider took the chequered flag to record his second win, and Audi’s first, in the world’s second oldest 24 hour race. The Audi finished two laps ahead of the nr76 Need for Speed Team Schubert BMW Z4 of Dirk Werner, Edward Sandstroem and Claudia Huertgen, after Huertgen started from 49th on the 62 car grid. The third placed car was 10 laps behind the leading Audi at the end of the 24 Hours, with the nr35 Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG making it to the podium despite some mechanical and physical woes during the race. However Kenneth Heyer, Stephane Lemeret and Thomas Jager battled on and were rewarded with a podium finish for their and the team's efforts. The Pro-Am Cup was a closer fought affair with the nr2 Vita4One Ferrari looking good for victory until it was excluded for not coming in for to serve a pitlane violation penalty. This left the nr20 SOFREV ASP Ferrari of Ludovic Badey, Franck Morel, Guillaume Moreau and Jean-Luc Beaubelique and the nr90 Team Preci Spark Mercedes SLS AMG fighting it out for the victory, with the Ferrari winning through. The nr50 AF Corse Ferrari of Matt Griffin, Jack Gerber, Marco Cioci and Niki Cadei was third. Victory in the Gentlemen Trophy was secured by the nr 19 Level Racing Porsche 997 of Christoff Corten, Brody, Matijs Harkems and Kurt Dujardin after the leading Muhlner Motorsport Porsche of Martin Rich, Tim Bergmeister, Sebastien Asch and Jochen Krumbach had to pit for a new gearbox, dropping it back to second in class. The Cup Class was won by the nr56 RMS Porsche 997 of Marc Faggionato, Thierry Stepnec, Thierry Prignaud and Franck Racinet, finishing 28 laps ahead of their nearest rival. The GT4 Class win went to the nr63 RJN Motorsport Nissan 370Z of Alex Buncombe, Chris Ward and Jordan Tresson after the class leading Lotus Evora of Greg Mansell, Eduardo Piscopo, Leo Mansell and Gianni Giudici went out in spectacular fashion when the engine let go. Despite electrical problems the Nissan reached the chequered flag , finishing 11 laps ahead of the nr100 DVB Racing BMW of Christophe Legrand, Raffaele Sangiuolo, Giuseppe de Pasquale and Wolfgang Haugg CLICK HERE for the provisional result of the Total 24 Hours of Spa and Round 3 of the Blancpain Endurance Series and also the results at 6, 12 and 18 hours. CLICK HERE for the full hourly timesheets (PDF Format - under R3: Spa) CLCK HERE for the provisional Championship Positions after Round 3 (PDF Format) The Hour by Hour updates in the news section of the official website will provide all the background information to the race. The Spa 24 Blog HERE also gives information, driver quotes and images from the entire 24 Hours of Spa from start to finish. The next round of the Blancpain Endurance Series is at Magny Cour on Saturday 20th August for a 3-hour evening race. Timo Scheider, Audi Sport Team WRT (Belgian Audi Club) Audi R8 LMS nr33 (1st) “I have to thank all the guys who supported us this weekend, especially the WRT team. We came here with some expectations but we didn’t know what we could achieve. These guys did an awesome job. Starting from the kitchen, to the tyre guys to the mechanics and the engineers. We made no mistakes and the Audi R8 LMS lasted till the end which is the key to why we are sitting here today. We just changed once or twice the brakes but everything else ran smoothly. Mattias (Ekstrom) had one of the worst stints you could choose. He was out there this morning on slicks in the hard rain and he did a great job. We had some pressure and we had to survive and we did that. To win a race like this – the Spa 24 Hours of Spa – is always something special.” Claudia Huertgen , Need For Speed Team Schubert BMW Z4 nr76 (2nd) “It was a hard race for us because we started from 48th position. It was also the first time for us to drive here in dry conditions. We found a good set-up for the race which gave us confidence in the car. To finish second is brilliant for the team because at the last 24-hour race at Nurburgring we lost two cars which was tough. It was the first time here for the team and the car. I hope we will come back next year and be stronger and fight for the victory.” Thomas Jager, Black Falcon Mercedes SLS AMG nr35 (3rd) “We had lots of difficulties starting with the test day when we lost the car so our preparation was not good at all. We didn’t really know which direction to go with the set-up. We took the car from the factory last week did a roll out and came here. We had a great car and good reliability which is very important of course in a 24-hour race. We are really happy with the result. To compete against the factory teams as a private racing team is difficult, but I think the concept works. We would like to think that we can be more competitive next year. We’ll be back and hopefully challenge for the win.” Guillaume Moreau, SOFREV ASP Ferrari 458 nr20 (1st Pro Am Cup) " I was a little surprised at the start, there was a lot of agressive driving so I just aimed to stay on the track between the two white lines. I am very happy , a very good victory for my teammates and it is something very special to win the 24 Hours of Spa." Thierry Stepec, RMS Porsche nr56 – CUP “The race was really great. We had an excellent start and were leading the Cup race from about 10 o clock last night. We were able to produce a big gap from there on in to the second placed car and maintain the pace. Our lap times were pretty consistent and the car felt good for the majority of the race. We had a slight problem 20 minutes before the end but we had an advantage over the others so we were able to win the Cup class. Marco (Fagglonato) and Thierry (Prignaud) did a wonderful job in the car this weekend so we will enjoy this together.” Christopher Ward, RJN Motorsport Nissan nr63 – GT4 “Our race went really well right from the word go so it was a relief to get the car home home after such a long event, especially at such a challenging circuit like Spa. We had problems with the car yesterday but nothing that we couldn’t overcome. From that point on the car ran reliably and we made sure we didn’t make any silly mistakes throughout the night. The whole team did a fantastic job – especially Alex (Buncombe) and Jordan (Tresson) who drove some fantastic stints to ensure we sustained the distance to the others. We look forward to a good celebration tonight.” Alex Buncombe, RJN Motorsport Nissan nr63 – GT4 “The race was unbelievable and left me pretty speechless. We have done a lot with RJN but never really had any success with the 24 hour races so to win here at Spa is incredible and unforgettable. It has been a fantastic day and an awesome week for us. “We had a lot of problems early on with a few small issues with the car and this let the Lotus pass. We have consistently been the fastest car all weekend and had a few little niggles at the start of the race, which unfortunately put us down to second in the class. Lotus Sport Italia didn’t finish the race in front us to so we took it all from there. We had to be careful and just make sure we got to the end, which is what we did.” Brody, Level Racing Porsche nr19 – Gentleman Trophy “The race was a dream for me. It was very hard for everybody but we finished with 30 seconds between us and the Muehlner Motorsport Porsche so I think it is a great result for us. We were seventeenth overall in the first Porsche so it was a very important win for us and the best podium of my life." “I am very emotional at the moment and I even cried. I just wanted to get onto the podium with the team and also celebrate with Christoff (Corten), Mathijs (Harkema) and Kurt (Dujardin).”

Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on the upper floor of his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains. By inscribing his name in the official communal property register, this pioneer created an establishment that is now the world’s oldest watch brand. Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured. From the first models created in the 18th century to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing. Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications. The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L-evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Sport collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation on land, under water or in the air. While remaining unswervingly loyal to its values, Blancpain regularly associates with partners that share its passion for excellence. Whether in the field of motorsports, sailing, scuba diving, or that of gastronomy and the art of living, the Manufacture is proud of its partnerships that represent far more than mere co-branding. On the contrary, Blancpain commits itself fully to such forms of cooperation by joining forces with its partners in a determination to excel and to foster both creativity and authenticity. Blandpain Endurance Series. Photo: © ©VIMAGES/Fabre

Audi R8 LMS wins the most important endurance race for GT cars.

Audi R8 LMS wins the most important

endurance race for GT cars.

􀀁 Audi Sport Team WRT triumphant at the 24 Hours Spa

􀀁 Victorious against GT cars from twelve other manufacturers

􀀁 DTM stars Ekström and Scheider in winning car

Ingolstadt/Spa, July 31, 2011 – The Audi R8 LMS won the most important

endurance race for GT cars ahead of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Audi Sport Team

WRT overcame the strongest competition during the 63rd running of the 24

hours of Spa (Belgium). The two DTM stars Mattias Ekström (Sweden) and Timo

Scheider (Germany) and the Belgian endurance specialist Greg Franchi shared

driving duties in the victorious mid-engine sportscar.

Experts agreed before the race started that the endurance classic, held since 1924,

had never fielded so many potential winners as this year. A total of 62 cars

representing 13 different manufacturers joined the grid, including no less than 57

cars of the worldwide booming GT3 category.

The opening stages of the endurance classic in particular fulfilled expectations.

Spectators lining the 7.004 kilometer track and in front of television screens

enjoyed tough battles for position, countless overtaking maneuvers, retirements

and small and big dramas which are typical for a 24-hour race. The Audi R8 LMS was

the fastest car in the field from the very beginning. After just a few hours it was

clear that the V10 powered R8 sports cars where the favorites for the victory.

The race of the victorious #33 R8 LMS fielded by Audi Sport Team WRT was

particularly impressive. The car driven by Mattias Ekström, Greg Franchi and Timo

Scheider ran like clockwork for 24 hours, while many other GT3 cars were no match

for the stresses and strains of the hard fought endurance race. The brake discs and

pads were changed twice as scheduled. Apart from this, the R8 LMS only entered pit

lane to refuel, change tires and to swap drivers. At the start of the tenth hour

Ekström/Franchi/Scheider took the lead which they duly held all the way to the

checkered flag. At the finish the trio had a two-lap lead over the closest rival.

Audi led 22 of the 24 hours. Just after midnight three R8 LMS actually occupied the

first three positions. However, while Audi Sport Team WRT also celebrated fourth

overall for the #32 car, Audi Sport Team Phoenix was struck by bad luck.

Marc Basseng, Christopher Haase and Frank Stippler led convincingly for many hours

in the #99 R8 LMS and had eked out an advantage of almost an entire lap. Just after

1 a.m. Haase lost first place due to a faulty air jack system. Only an hour later the

youngster slid off the track on a damp patch at Turn 9 and had to retire the car.

The #98 sister car was hit by a slower car on the left rear wheel while fighting for

the lead towards the end of the third hour. Shortly afterwards second gear was lost.

Although they had to continue without second gear as a result and lost additional

time due to a puncture, Marcel Fässler, Andrea Piccini and Mike Rockenfeller worked

their way back up to third from 13th before a gearbox change was required just

after midnight. The change cost 1 hour 36 minutes. The trio still managed to battle

their way through the field from 36th to 14th thanks to consistently quick laps and

in the process recorded the absolute fastest race lap (Mike Rockenfeller / 2m

20.286s).

The second Audi R8 LMS entered by Audi Sport Team WRT put in two exciting

comeback drives. After an accident in qualifying, Stéphane Ortelli scythed

spectacularly through the field from 41st to second in the opening 90 minutes,

before a drive-through-penalty for contact cost almost a lap. Changing the front left

suspension components took 24 minutes and threw the #32 car back to a seemingly

hopeless 42nd position. However, Filipe Albuquerque, Bert Longin and Stéphane

Ortelli had other ideas, overtook car after car and finished the race in an almost

sensational fourth overall. This was the icing on the cake for Audi Sport Team WRT

which celebrated an important victory in its first outing as “factory” team for Audi.

“Vincent Vosse’s team really did a fantastic job during its home race,” explained

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Mattias (Ekström), Greg (Franchi)

and Timo (Scheider) drove fast and without mistakes – and it was exactly this that

was the key to victory this weekend alongside the reliability and speed of the R8

LMS. Unfortunately out other three cars were rather unlucky and especially Ernst

Moser’s squad. That’s why it was almost like Le Mans at the end: After just a few

hours we only had one iron still in the fire – but we won with this car. This shows our

strong nerves and team spirit because everybody helped to take the win with the

only remaining car.”

The Audi R8 LMS, which is supplied to customers by Audi Sport customer racing

since last year, notched up win number 96 this weekend. “After three class victories

in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and the one-two in the 12-hour race at

Bathurst at the start of the year, this is without doubt the most important victory

for the Audi R8 LMS and our still relatively young customer racing program,” said

Werner Frowein who is responsible for the company’s customer racing program as

Managing Director of quattro GmbH. “I’d like to thank everybody who worked so

hard and with so much commitment to make this victory possible. After Le Mans,

Audi now stands in the winners list of another great 24-hour race. We were able to

show that the R8 is a fantastic sportscar. Our increasing number of customer teams

also confirms this.”

One of these customer teams, United Autosports, contested the 24 hours Spa with

three R8 LMS. Following an eventful race with drivers Richard Dean, Zak Brown,

Stefan Johansson and Johnny Herbert can be delighted with 13th overall and sixth

place in the Pro-Am category.

Audi Sport.

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 7 at the Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary Kuba Giermaziak 50th Supercup winner

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 7 at the Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary

Kuba Giermaziak 50th Supercup winner

Stuttgart. In a turbulent rain race, Kuba Giermaziak celebrated his maiden victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the Hungaroring near Budapest. With his win, the Pole goes down in the successful history of the world’s fastest international one-make race series as the 50th winner out of 201 races contested so far. At the wheel of his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, the VERVA Racing pilot put in a brilliant drive to outpace Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit) by 18.783 seconds. Third place was enough for Bleekemolen’s British teammate Sean Edwards to snatch the championship lead.

Kuba Giermaziak claimed the maiden win for a Polish and East European driver by a huge margin, very rarely seen in this fiercely-contested championship. Many young pilots have used the one-make series run as support to the Formula 1 as a launching platform for extremely successful careers in international GT racing and attracted attention with performances similar to that of the youngest driver in the field at 21 years. Taking up the sprint from fifth on the grid, Giermaziak immediately shot past the first rivals and already after one lap had moved into third place. In lap four he had snatched the lead.

During the first laps on the wet Grand Prix circuit, positions changed almost by the second. Kévin Estre, the French Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, made the most of his pole position and initially defended his lead. When he visited the gravel in the lap one, René Rast (Germany) took his place at the front. But under such difficult conditions the points’ leader from VELTINS Lechner Racing made several mistakes and fell back in the field. Over the course of the race, the title defender had to let more opponents past. With four laps to the flag, technical problems forced the German into retirement, which robbed him of his overall points’ lead. Nick Tandy also came away from the seventh round with a disappointing result. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the Briton spun in the second lap and lost touch with the front-runners. Crossing the finish line in ninth, last year’s vice-champion very likely has to bury his title aspirations completely.

Meanwhile at the front, Kuba Giermaziak continued to pull away from his pursuers. With his VERVA Racing team, he had previously tested in the rain on the Hungaroring. Team boss Timo Rumpfkeil could implement the insight gained from this almost 1:1 in the race. Behind the leader, Sean Edwards and Kévin Estre managed to fend off any attacks for quite some time before the Frenchman made some errors and lost contact to the front-runners to finish in fifth. For the Briton, this didn’t bring much relief. His teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen put him under immense pressure from behind to finally pass him shortly before the finish in the final lap to snatch second. For the two-time Supercup winner, this marked his first podium result so far this season.

Behind the Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit duo, Norbert Siedler’s stunning chase through the field was rewarded with fourth place. Taking up the race from tenth place after a poor qualifying, VELTINS Lechner Racing sent the Austrian as well as René Rast into the race on brand new rain tyres. With sixth, Robert Lukas yielded his best result this season behind his teammate Kévin Estre.

Kuba Giermaziak (winner): “I’m absolutely delighted with my first victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, and my biggest thanks go to my team. It’s incredible how hard the boys work to put a perfect car on the track for us at every race. We tested here in Budapest, luckily in rain, and that paid off. We knew we’d do very well on the wet circuit, but we hadn’t anticipated that we’d do it with such a huge advantage. Despite the awful weather conditions I didn’t make any mistakes. I’m particularly pleased for the many Polish fans who came so far this weekend to support us. Thank you all very much.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen (second): “What a great race. I started from seventh, struggled with grip at the start and lost two places. But I crawled my way up lap by lap with a couple of good overtaking manoeuvres – huge fun! I tried to be cautious with my tyres over the whole distance, even during the formation lap, and it proved very helpful at the end when the track dried up, particularly for overtaking Sean.”

Sean Edwards (third): “Now that was one crazy race. I had a lot of fun. The grip wasn’t really great over the distance and I had to fight hard to defend my position. But there was nothing I could do about Jeroen. Still, I’m totally happy. Both cars from Abu Dhabi by tolimit on the podium, the first time this season - that’s a great result. I’m hoping we can continue like this at the next race in Spa. The championship is really exciting now.”


Race result
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, 30:12.507 minutes
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 18.783 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 19.449
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 21.931
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 23.112
6. Robert Lukas (PL), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 24.539

Drivers’ classification after 7 of 11 races
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 106 points
2. René Rast (D), 105
3. Norbert Siedler (A), 97
4. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 90
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 86
6. Nick Tandy (GB), 79

Round 8 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place on 28 August as support to the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium.


Publi Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 7 on the Nürburgring Sean Edwards aims to defend points’ lead

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 7 on the Nürburgring

Sean Edwards aims to defend points’ lead

Stuttgart. The Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland turns onto the finish straight of the season with an unrivalled balance: Six different winners from six races underline how highly competitive Germany’s fastest one-make series is. At round seven on 7th August on the 3.629 kilometre sprint version of the Nuerburgring’s Grand Prix circuit, front-runner Sean Edwards is determined to defend his lead in the points. After his maiden Carrera Cup win on the Norisring, the Deutsche Post by tolimit pilot from Britain holds a 14-point advantage over his teammate from the Netherlands, Jeroen Bleekemolen. Sitting a close third is Britain’s Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport), who had held the lead for the first four races of the season.

“I’m looking forward to this interesting circuit,” says 24-year-old Sean Edwards. “I came second last year and the track suits me. It would be great if I could win this time, but it’s not crucial. More important is that I hold onto the championship lead.” The London-born Monaco-resident put in the groundwork for his excellent position for the title fight with regular top results. “The competition is incredibly tough this year. There are ten drivers who are good for a win. It would be something very special if I could take home my first makes championship title at the end of such a season.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen knows this feeling well. The winner of the Zandvoort race claimed the championship at the international Porsche Mobil1 Supercup in 2008 and 2009. With consistent top results, the Briton and the Dutchman are not only sitting in positions one and two in the drivers’ classification. With three races to go, their Deutsche Post by tolimit team also ranks a clear first in the team standings.

Currently sitting third overall, Nick Tandy will be focussing on closing the gap to Edwards and getting past Bleekemolen. For the winner of the season-opening round and last year’s vice-champion his retirement at the Porsche Carrera Cup World Cup cost him his lead. Tandy doesn’t have the fondest memories of the Nuerburgring: Last year he went home empty-handed after a scuffle at the start. At least the rivals chasing him don’t have much of a chance to catch him. Denmark’s Nicki Thiim in fourth and Martin Ragginger in fifth are simply too far behind to pose any threat. The Dane racing for Hermes Attempto Racing is one of the season’s six winners after his triumph on the Lausitzring. As his best result so far, the Schnabl Engineering pilot from Austria has just one podium placing to his credit.

Keen to make a move forward is the winner from Spielberg, Jaap van Lagen from the Netherlands (Land Motorsport), and World Cup winner René Rast from Germany (Förch Racing). Heading into the final phase, they rank sixth and seventh. Trailing them are Jan Seyffarth (Germany, SMS Seyffarth Motorsport) sitting eighth overall, Norbert Siedler (Austria, Aust Motorsport) in ninth and Uwe Alzen (Germany, PZ Aschaffenburg Uwe Alzen Automotive) rounding off the top ten.

The race will be broadcast live on the official Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland website www.porsche.de/carreracup on 7 August from 10.15 hours. On 10 August, TV station Sport1 televises a race review, interviews and reports from 22.15 to 22.45 hours in the Carrera Cup Magazin.


Drivers’ standings after 6 of 9 races
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 98 points
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 84
3. Nick Tandy (GB), 82
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), 59
5. Martin Ragginger (A), 59
6. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 56
7. René Rast (D), 54

Team standings after 6 of 9 races
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 154 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 104
3. Hermes Attempto Racing, 64


Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger

American Le Mans Series, round 5 in Lexington/USA Porsche teams hope for a good start to the second half of season

American Le Mans Series, round 5 in Lexington/USA

Porsche teams hope for a good start to the second half of season


Stuttgart. With the race on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on 6 August, the American Le Mans Series heads into the second half of the season. On the storied circuit in the Midwest of America, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) are eager to continue the success story with the Flying Lizard Motorsports-run 911 GT3 RSR that Porsche wrote over the last years.

The race

The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge has been contested since 2001 – with a break in 2003 – as part of the American Le Mans Series. On this weekend, fans get two for the price of one: Aside from the world’s fastest sports cars, they are also treated to another very popular US championship – the Indycar Series.

The circuit

The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is 3.621 kilometres long and features 13 corners. It is situated north of Cincinnati not far from Lexington in the US state of Ohio. The circuit opened in 1962 and was adapted to the latest safety standards in 1990.

The Porsche drivers

As reigning GT champions of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) compete with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR entered by Flying Lizard Motorsports. In the second car of this successful squad from California, American Seth Neiman teams up with his compatriot Darren Law. Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) shares the cockpit of Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with Bryan Sellers from the USA. Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) again start for Paul Miller Racing in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Quotes before the race

Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport: “The changes to the Balance of Performance measures that were originally to be introduced at the last race in Mosport will now finally be enforced in Mid-Ohio. That’s why I expect some exciting race action.”
Joerg Bergmeister: “A classic race track with long straights and tight corners. It’s demanding and great fun. It’s important to get a good grid position in Mid-Ohio and above all to find the right set-up. We’ll have to work particularly hard with our engineers, because the Indycars leave a lot of rubber on the track and that constantly changes the grip level. You have to have the right touch.”
Patrick Long: “Our team has managed to find the right set-up for our car on every track to now. Hopefully, the boys will do it again in Mid-Ohio, even if it’s especially tricky there. We’ve already shown that this circuit suits us very well.”
Wolf Henzler: “Mid-Ohio is one of the venues where we tested during the Le Mans break. Thanks to this we’ve made great strides forward, and we reaped the rewards in Lime Rock. I just hope that will also be the case in Mid-Ohio. The circuit isn’t extremely demanding but it has several great corners.”

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The most successful GT race car of the last years takes off into the season with a raft of improvements. The output of the four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine has increased to 455 hp (335 kW). Priority in the further development of the car was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear. In 2010, the 911 GT3 RSR again won the environmental "Michelin Green X Challenge” classification as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency in the American Le Mans Series.

Porsche successes

In the past, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has always proven to be excellent turf for Porsche. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Joerg Bergmeister celebrated two victories in the GT2 class – in 2009 with Patrick Long, and in 2007 with Johannes van Overbeek. Wolf Henzler won here in 2006, also with Johannes van Overbeek, who triumphed in 2004 with Darren Law. In 2005, class victory went to Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, in 2002 to Kevin Buckler and B. J. Zacharias. Mid-Ohio is an important milestone in Porsche motorsport history primarily because Timo Bernhard und Romain Dumas brought home the first overall victory in 2006 with the Weissach-developed and built Porsche RS Spyder sports prototype.

Live in internet

The race in Mid-Ohio takes off on Saturday, 6 August, at 15.30 hours local time (21.30 hours CEST) and is broadcast live in the internet on www.americanlemans.com. The GT qualifying on Saturday will be shown from 20.40 hours CEST on www.porsche.com/alms-live.

The American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:

GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.


Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger

WTCC: ENGSTLER LOOKS FORWARD TO HOME RACE

ENGSTLER LOOKS FORWARD TO HOME RACE German racer Franz Engstler is looking forward to his home WTCC event this weekend at Oschersleben. Two weeks ago at Donington Park, at the wheel of his BMW 320 TC run by the Liqui Moly team, Engstler claimed his best result ever in WTCC, finishing third in the second race behind the Chevrolet Cruze cars of Yvan Muller and Rob Huff. This also enabled him to close the gap in the Yokohama Trophy where he currently lies fourth, only ten points behind Norbert Michelisz. Engstler, who turned 50 last Monday, hopes to have another positive weekend at the Motorsport Arena. "My podium in the second race at Donington showed that our BMW 320 TC is really working well. I am obviously very much up for the races in Oschersleben. Another top result would be the perfect belated birthday present!" Franz Engstler and his team aim for another great result at Oschersleben PEPE ORIOLA SHINES IN FIA THE EUROPEAN CUP WTCC youngest racer, Pepe Oriola finished runner up to touring car star Fabrizio Giovanardi in the FIA European Touring Car Cup that took place last weekend at the Austrian Salzburgring. In difficult weather conditions, with the track flooded by pouring rain, the 17-year old Spaniard showed that his first year in WTCC is bringing him to maturity very quickly, and just like a veteran he fought with Giovanardi with no awes. Giovanardi's Honda Accord and Oriola's SEAT León TDi shared victories and second places, but the title was awarded on the basis of the qualifying points, which meant that Giovanardi was crowned champion by one mere point thanks to his pole position. Oriola said: "Second behind Giovanardi was a great result for me and the team. I did my best to follow him in the first race and pushed at the maximum in the second. I am also very proud to be the driver who gave the SEAT TDi its last victory." Pepe Oriola on his way to win the FIA ETCC Race 2 at the Salzburgring CERQUI TESTS FOR ROAL MOTORSPORT Taking the opportunity of a test session with Tom Coronel at the Adria Raceway, in order to prepare this weekend's event at Oschersleben, the ROAL Motorsport team offered to Alberto Cerqui his first drive in the WTCC BMW 320 TC. Cerqui, only 19-years old, is one of ROAL Motorsport's regular drivers in the Superstars series in which he currently lies second in the points after claiming his first race win three weeks ago at Misano. "I was very impressed by the WTCC car. Its strong points are the agility in changing direction and over the kerbs, the braking and cornering speed. The 1.6-litre turbo engine supplies the power in a very peculiar way and needs to adjust a bit the driving style. I thank the team for giving me this opportunity that I hope could be repeated in the future," said Cerqui. HUFF AND MENU TO RACE IN ARGENTINA Chevrolet WTCC drivers Alain Menu and Rob Huff will take part in the 200 Km of Buenos Aires, the main event of Argentina's TC2000 championship, at the wheel of Cruze cars run by the Equipo Oficial Chevrolet. This year the race takes place on 21st August and has been moved from the Autódromo Municipal de Buenos Aires to the Autódromo Roberto Mouras in La Plata, in the surroundings of the federal capital. It is a tradition for the Chevrolet WTCC drivers to join their Argentine fellow drivers in this traditional event that attracts touring car specialists from worldwide and huge crowds. Alain Menu has been a regular invitee in recent years, winning the race in 2006, while Rob Huff will be competing for the second time. The Equipo Oficial Chevrolet are campaigning two Cruze cars in the TC2000, achieving excellent results with Agustín Canapino and Christian Ledesma. Fabio Ravaioli/Press Delegate.

24 H. Spa: Comments after qualifying at Spa

Comments after qualifying at Spa

Ingolstadt/Spa, July 29, 2011 – The best Audi R8 LMS starts the 24-hour race at

Spa-Francorchamps from seventh on the grid on Saturday at 4 p.m. (CEST). The

comments after qualifying.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “In this qualifying for the 24

hours of Spa it was important to find a free lap at the end because the session was

repeatedly interrupted by red flags. Unfortunately we were not very happy with all

the cars. The result doesn’t reflect the performance. We should be well positioned

for the race.”

Mattias Ekström (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“That was a very exciting qualifying format. There were three sessions, but in the

end only the last one counted. We managed seventh place. This is okay for a 24-

hour race. Obviously we always tried to fight for the best possible position. We

managed this in the rain; we still want to improve in the dry. I’m very satisfied. Audi

Sport Team WRT worked fantastically well. I’m really impressed up to now. If we

can continue to work like this for 24 hours we have a good chance of an excellent

result.”

Greg Franchi (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“We were right at the front in the first to qualifying sessions. In the dry Mattias

(Ekström) tried to find a clear lap. Unfortunately without any luck! Otherwise a

position in the top three would have been possible. Now we start the race from a

position in the top ten, which is important. We now concentrate on a very long race

in which we aim to move much further forward.”

Timo Scheider (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“Mattias (Ekström) was very fast in the wet in first qualifying. He lapped six tenths

quicker than the next car. It was very impressive. Everything went according to plan.

We did the job we had to do to qualify. In the end it was a question of managing the

time to find a clear lap, we were unlucky while attempting this at the beginning.

From way back we managed to move up to seventh. For a 24-hour race this is a grid

position we can live with.”

Communications Motorsport

Jürgen Pippig

Telephone: +49 (0)841 89 34200

E-mail: motorsport-media@audi.de

www.audi-motorsport.info

Eva-Maria Veith

Telephone: +49 (0)841 89 33922

E-mail: eva-maria.veith@audi.de

2/4

Marcel Fässler (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“It goes without saying that we’d much rather be further up the grid. But it wasn’t

so easy today: the track dried out towards the end and obviously everybody wanted

to go out again, which makes it difficult to find a clear lap. Now we are tenth which

isn’t dramatic. I’m confident because our R8 LMS has run without problems up to

now and we are a strong trio.”

Andrea Piccini (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“I think we were very good in all conditions. We were just a little unlucky at the end.

Marcel (Fässler) set a very good time at the start of the first session. Second

qualifying was also good. In third qualifying in the damp we were always in the top

five. Just the timing was a little unlucky at the end. We didn’t manage two

consecutive clear laps and couldn’t use the tires so well as a result. The position

doesn’t show our potential. However, the car is good and the team is strong. I’m

looking forward to the race.”

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“Our car was very good to drive in the changing conditions at the end of third

qualifying. We were in the leading group for a long time until the final red flag. In

view of the long pit lane here at Spa-Francorchamps it was difficult to decide exactly

when to go onto the track in order to have no traffic in the remaining 5 minute 30

seconds. Unfortunately I was held up slightly – enough to prevent me from

improving. It’s a shame as I think that we could have taken pole position. However,

it’s a 24-hour race and all three of us are ready. I think we’ll show that we are better

than tenth place on Saturday and Sunday.”

Marc Basseng (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“It was extremely interesting today to see just who set the best time in the difficult

conditions in the last laps. I encountered traffic at Eau Rouge, was too long on the

wet part of the track and didn’t get the corner right which is why a better time

wasn’t possible. Obviously I’m a little disappointed but I know that it’s still an

acceptable starting position for a 24-hour race.”

Christopher Haase (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“We had the opportunity to fight for pole position in all three sessions. We made

the wrong choice in the first session with slicks, but were able to improve in the

second session despite the worse conditions. It was a tough task in the third

session, because it was all about finding a clear lap and having the pace at the end

on the drying track. Respect to my team mate Marc Basseng. I think we can be

3/4

satisfied with our grid position. P13 for our car and P10 for the sister car are good

starting positions – after all, the 24-hour race is long.”

Frank Stippler (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“To summarize: in qualifying at Spa I completed plenty of kilometers on slicks on a

wet track. Qualifying was a lottery at the end. Who was when on the track, how

heavy was the traffic, what tire temperatures could you generate? Positions ten and

13 are not bad grid positions; even though we’d much rather have been further

forward.”

Filipe Albuquerque (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“Unfortunately I had an accident in qualifying on the drying track. I was on slicks on

my second fast lap. It wasn’t easy to see the wet parts in the night. Unfortunately

the rear snap away as I braked for the first corner at the same point as I had on the

previous lap. My car oversteered and I spun off to the left. The wall is closer to the

track at exactly this point and I smashed into the barrier.”

Bert Longin (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“We’d done a good job before the incident. We worked through our program calmly

and concentrated and had the chance to qualify in the top three. However, such an

accident is part of motorsport. These things can happen.”

Stéphane Ortelli (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“In French we say ‘C’est la vie’ – that’s life. Unfortunately we lost the chance of a

better grid position due to my team mate Filipe Albuquerque’s spin. It’s not the end

of the world. We shouldn’t forget that we had already found a good base for the

race and tomorrow we have the opportunity to prepare thoroughly for it. I’m looking

forward to the race and that I can drive one of the best cars around one of the

world’s most beautiful circuits. The first points are awarded after six hours –

beforehand there’s plenty of time to make up places.”

Ernst Moser (Team Boss Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “That was mixed day. We were

always up at the front in the wet sessions and with ten minutes to go in final

qualifying we were still in the leading group. The red flags at the end made life

difficult for us: every time we went out we got stuck in the traffic from the lower

pits. And as soon as we’d escaped the next interruption came. We are a little

disappointed because a position on the first or second row would have been

possible. However, the race is long so let’s wait and see where we are after a few

hours – the qualifying is quickly forgotten.”

4/4

Vincent Vosse (Team Boss Audi Sport Team WRT): “It was certainly a good

qualifying. Not directly for our team but for the spectators who followed with great

interest who had their nose in front at the end. The grid was quiet literally decided

on the last lap. We’ll now concentrate on race preparation and use tomorrow to setup

as well as possible for the 24-hour race.” qualifying at Spa

Ingolstadt/Spa, July 29, 2011 – The best Audi R8 LMS starts the 24-hour race at

Spa-Francorchamps from seventh on the grid on Saturday at 4 p.m. (CEST). The

comments after qualifying.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “In this qualifying for the 24

hours of Spa it was important to find a free lap at the end because the session was

repeatedly interrupted by red flags. Unfortunately we were not very happy with all

the cars. The result doesn’t reflect the performance. We should be well positioned

for the race.”

Mattias Ekström (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“That was a very exciting qualifying format. There were three sessions, but in the

end only the last one counted. We managed seventh place. This is okay for a 24-

hour race. Obviously we always tried to fight for the best possible position. We

managed this in the rain; we still want to improve in the dry. I’m very satisfied. Audi

Sport Team WRT worked fantastically well. I’m really impressed up to now. If we

can continue to work like this for 24 hours we have a good chance of an excellent

result.”

Greg Franchi (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“We were right at the front in the first to qualifying sessions. In the dry Mattias

(Ekström) tried to find a clear lap. Unfortunately without any luck! Otherwise a

position in the top three would have been possible. Now we start the race from a

position in the top ten, which is important. We now concentrate on a very long race

in which we aim to move much further forward.”

Timo Scheider (Audi ultra R8 LMS #33)

“Mattias (Ekström) was very fast in the wet in first qualifying. He lapped six tenths

quicker than the next car. It was very impressive. Everything went according to plan.

We did the job we had to do to qualify. In the end it was a question of managing the

time to find a clear lap, we were unlucky while attempting this at the beginning.

From way back we managed to move up to seventh. For a 24-hour race this is a grid

position we can live with.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“It goes without saying that we’d much rather be further up the grid. But it wasn’t

so easy today: the track dried out towards the end and obviously everybody wanted

to go out again, which makes it difficult to find a clear lap. Now we are tenth which

isn’t dramatic. I’m confident because our R8 LMS has run without problems up to

now and we are a strong trio.”

Andrea Piccini (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“I think we were very good in all conditions. We were just a little unlucky at the end.

Marcel (Fässler) set a very good time at the start of the first session. Second

qualifying was also good. In third qualifying in the damp we were always in the top

five. Just the timing was a little unlucky at the end. We didn’t manage two

consecutive clear laps and couldn’t use the tires so well as a result. The position

doesn’t show our potential. However, the car is good and the team is strong. I’m

looking forward to the race.”

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Top Service R8 LMS #98)

“Our car was very good to drive in the changing conditions at the end of third

qualifying. We were in the leading group for a long time until the final red flag. In

view of the long pit lane here at Spa-Francorchamps it was difficult to decide exactly

when to go onto the track in order to have no traffic in the remaining 5 minute 30

seconds. Unfortunately I was held up slightly – enough to prevent me from

improving. It’s a shame as I think that we could have taken pole position. However,

it’s a 24-hour race and all three of us are ready. I think we’ll show that we are better

than tenth place on Saturday and Sunday.”

Marc Basseng (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“It was extremely interesting today to see just who set the best time in the difficult

conditions in the last laps. I encountered traffic at Eau Rouge, was too long on the

wet part of the track and didn’t get the corner right which is why a better time

wasn’t possible. Obviously I’m a little disappointed but I know that it’s still an

acceptable starting position for a 24-hour race.”

Christopher Haase (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“We had the opportunity to fight for pole position in all three sessions. We made

the wrong choice in the first session with slicks, but were able to improve in the

second session despite the worse conditions. It was a tough task in the third

session, because it was all about finding a clear lap and having the pace at the end

on the drying track. Respect to my team mate Marc Basseng. I think we can be

satisfied with our grid position. P13 for our car and P10 for the sister car are good

starting positions – after all, the 24-hour race is long.”

Frank Stippler (Audi Sport performance cars R8 LMS #99)

“To summarize: in qualifying at Spa I completed plenty of kilometers on slicks on a

wet track. Qualifying was a lottery at the end. Who was when on the track, how

heavy was the traffic, what tire temperatures could you generate? Positions ten and

13 are not bad grid positions; even though we’d much rather have been further

forward.”

Filipe Albuquerque (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“Unfortunately I had an accident in qualifying on the drying track. I was on slicks on

my second fast lap. It wasn’t easy to see the wet parts in the night. Unfortunately

the rear snap away as I braked for the first corner at the same point as I had on the

previous lap. My car oversteered and I spun off to the left. The wall is closer to the

track at exactly this point and I smashed into the barrier.”

Bert Longin (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“We’d done a good job before the incident. We worked through our program calmly

and concentrated and had the chance to qualify in the top three. However, such an

accident is part of motorsport. These things can happen.”

Stéphane Ortelli (Audi ultra R8 LMS #32)

“In French we say ‘C’est la vie’ – that’s life. Unfortunately we lost the chance of a

better grid position due to my team mate Filipe Albuquerque’s spin. It’s not the end

of the world. We shouldn’t forget that we had already found a good base for the

race and tomorrow we have the opportunity to prepare thoroughly for it. I’m looking

forward to the race and that I can drive one of the best cars around one of the

world’s most beautiful circuits. The first points are awarded after six hours –

beforehand there’s plenty of time to make up places.”

Ernst Moser (Team Boss Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “That was mixed day. We were

always up at the front in the wet sessions and with ten minutes to go in final

qualifying we were still in the leading group. The red flags at the end made life

difficult for us: every time we went out we got stuck in the traffic from the lower

pits. And as soon as we’d escaped the next interruption came. We are a little

disappointed because a position on the first or second row would have been

possible. However, the race is long so let’s wait and see where we are after a few

hours – the qualifying is quickly forgotten.”

Vincent Vosse (Team Boss Audi Sport Team WRT): “It was certainly a good

qualifying. Not directly for our team but for the spectators who followed with great

interest who had their nose in front at the end. The grid was quiet literally decided

on the last lap. We’ll now concentrate on race preparation and use tomorrow to setup

as well as possible for the 24-hour race.”

Audi Sport.

24h Spa: Two Audi R8 LMS in the top ten

24h Spa: Two Audi R8 LMS in the top ten

􀀁 Rain causes turbulent qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps

􀀁 Grid only decided just before midnight

􀀁 Mattias Ekström fastest in the rain and best Audi driver

Ingolstadt/Spa, July 29, 2011 – Qualifying for the 24-hour race at Spa-

Francorchamps (Belgium) provided a foretaste of what the spectators could well

expect on Saturday and Sunday: a fascinating exchange of blows between the

world’s best GT3 sportscars in which the result is completely unpredictable.

As is so often the case at Spa-Francorchamps the fickle Ardennes weather played a

decisive role during Thursday’s qualifying. Rain showers repeatedly swept across the

circuit. Rain tires were de rigueur during the first of two qualifying sessions. In the

third and final session the track dried out in the closing minutes.

With 62 cars representing 13 different brands an extremely close fight developed

for the best grid positions just before midnight around the 7.004 kilometer long

circuit. Qualifying was interrupted twice by the red flag in the hectic closing stages.

In the end, the drivers at the front were the luckiest in heavy traffic on the rapidly

drying track who found a clear lap.

After the Audi R8 LMS had dictated the pace with the fastest lap on a dry track

during free practice in the morning and again in first qualifying on the wet track, the

Audi drivers were unlucky in the crucial final minutes of qualifying. Filipe

Albuquerque (Audi Sport Team WRT #32) spun off into the barriers when the circuit

was still wet. In the end he had to sit and watch as he tumbled from second to 43rd

position. Team mate Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team WRT #33), who had

recorded the fastest time in the rain, jumped from the midfield to seventh in a last

gasp effort and was the fastest Audi driver as a result. Mike Rockenfeller (Audi Sport

Team Phoenix #98) and Marc Basseng (Audi Sport Team Phoenix #99) held fourth

and seventh before the final red flag, they were unlucky in traffic in the final seven

minutes after the restart and must be satisfied with tenth and 13th grid positions.

“It goes without saying that the end of qualifying wasn’t to our taste,” explained

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “You needed plenty of luck and this

is something we definitely lacked. Furthermore, our position in the pits was a

disadvantage today because after the red flags we had too many cars in front of us.

However, the grid positions for a 24-hour race are not so critical. It’s important that

collected a lot of experience today and saw that our R8 LMS sportscars handle well

and are fast on both a dry and wet track. Both of our teams will do their utmost to

ensure that things run better in the race than they did in the final minutes of

qualifying.”

The three Audi R8 LMS fielded by customer team United Autosports start the race

from 30, 35 and 52 on the grid. The 63rd running of the Spa 24 Hours starts on

Saturday at 4 p.m. local time. Sport1 broadcasts seven hours live from Spa, Motors

TV 12.5 hours. Audi fans can follow a non-stop live stream of the race on

www.audi.tv on Saturday from 3 p.m. (CEST).

The starting grid at Spa

1 Martin/Leinders/Hennerici (BMW) 2m 24.488s

2 Goossens/Heylen/Soulet (Porsche) 2m 24.735s

3 Roda/Giammaria/Ruberti (Porsche) 2m 26.713s

4 Hayek/Kox/Merten (Lamborghini) 2m 26.807s

5 Westbrook/Menzel/Stursberg/Riegel (Porsche) 2m 26.952s

6 van Splunteren/Miller/Sougnez/de Crem (Porsche) 2m 27.195s

7 Ekström/Franchi/Scheider (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 27.842s

8 Gerber/Griffin/Cadei/Cioci (Ferrari) 2m 28.262s

9 Parisy/Vannelet/Haezebrouck/Vignall (Mercedes) 2m 28.355s

10 Fässler/Piccini/Rockenfeller (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 28.573s

...

13 Basseng/Haase/Stippler (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 29.250s

30 Dean/Brown/Herbert/Johansson (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 34.216s

35 Patterson/Bell/Cheever/Blundell (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 35.543s

43 Albuquerque/Longin/Ortelli (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 38.997s

52 Luyendyk/Li/Meins/Richard (Audi R8 LMS) 2m 44.720s

Audi Sport.

Belgium Celebrates as Maxime Martin and Maxime Soulet claim front row for 2011 Total 24 Hours of Spa

The typically Spa weather produced one of the most exciting ends to a qualifying session at the Total 24 Hours of Spa for many as times tumbled as the track dried. At the chequered flag it was Belgium’s Maxime Martin in the Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 who claimed the top spot with a lap of 2m24.488, to the head of the 62 car field for the 63^rd edition of the 24 Hours of Spa. The Belgian domination in qualifying was completed when Maxime Soulet took the second place on the front row in the Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R, just 0.2 seconds behind the BMW Z4.

The typically Spa weather produced one of the most exciting ends to a qualifying session at the Total 24 Hours of Spa for many as times tumbled as the track dried. At the chequered flag it was Belgium’s Maxime Martin in the Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 who claimed the top spot with a lap of 2m24.488, to the head of the 62 car field for the 63rd edition of the 24 Hours of Spa. The Belgian domination in qualifying was completed when Maxime Soulet took the second place on the front row in the Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R, just 0.2 seconds behind the BMW Z4. Championship leaders AutOrlando Sport looked to be heading for the top spot until top gear failed on the Porsche with just minutes remaining forcing Paolo Ruberti to back off on what could have been his fastest lap. However the 2:26.713 lap was good enough for 3rd on the grid, just 0.1 second ahead of the first Pro-Am Cup car, the nr24 Blancpain-Reiter Lamborghini Gallardo of Peter Kox, who in turn managed to edge out the HariboTeam Manthay Porsche 997 of Richard Westbrook. There was joy for the Sport Garage team as the hard work they did in rebuilding the Ferrari 430 Scuderia after a crash earlier in the day paid off and Lionel Comole ended the qualifying session on pole position for the Gentlemen Trophy. The Cup Class pole went to Tom Langeberg in the Belgian nr104 Speed Lover Porsche 997 GT3 Cup. However the car was later handed a penalty by the stewards for using unmarked tyres and the qualifying times from Q2 Night were cancelled. The Cup Class pole was handed to the nr56 RMS Porsche of Thierry Stepnec. Alex Buncombe brought the nr63 RJN Motorsport Nissan 370Z to head the GT4 class with a last lap of 2:41.276, which was good enough for 44th overall. The drivers now have a rest day before the challenge begins at 4pm on Saturday afternoon for the 2011 Total 24 Hours of Spa. Live coverage can be found on satellite and terrestrial TV around the world. Details of the coverage, as well as live streaming, can be found on the Blancpain Endurance Series website at www.blancpain-endurance-series.com Pos Car Class Drivers Car Time Laps Gap Avg speed 1 40 PRO Maxime Martin / Bas Leinders / Marc Hennerici BMW Z4 02:24.488 24 2 75 PRO Marc Goossens / Jan Heylen / Maxime Soulet Porsche 997 GT3 R 02:24.735 23 0.247 3 9 PRO Gianluca Roda / Raffaele Giammaria / Paolo Ruberti Porsche 997 GT3 R 02:26.713 22 2.225 4 24 PAM Marc A. Hayek / Peter Kox / Jos Menten Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 02:26.807 25 2.319 5 888 PAM Richard Westbrook / Christian Menzel / Mike Stursberg / Hans Guido Riegel Porsche 997 GT3 R 02:26.952 24 2.464 6 74 PAM Paul van Splunteren / Bryce Miller / Ludovic Sougnez / Nicolas de Crem Porsche 997 GT3 R 02:27.195 21 2.707 29 22 GEN Lionel Comole / Andre Alain Corbel / Thomas Duchene / Eric Vaissiere Ferrari 430 Scuderia 02:33.948 19 9.460 46 56 Cup Marc Faggionato / Thierry Stepec / Thierry Prignaud / Franck Racinet Porsche 997 GT3 Cup 02:42.528 15 18.040 46 63 GT4 Alex Buncombe / Jordan Tresson / Christopher Ward Nissan 370Z 02:41.276 20 16.788 CLICK HERE for the full result from the three Qualifying Sessions (AMENDED RESULT) Maxime Martin, Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 nr.40 (1st) “I am very happy because we only received the car one month ago. It was the second time we all had driven the car and on the first time we had problems. So this was the first time that we had the right conditions and the car’s performance was good. It was a tricky lap, however we performed well and I think this is good for all the team but also for the start of the weekend. I hope we can continue like this for 24 hours. “I think 25 minutes before the end of the session it was decided to move onto slick tyres. It wasn’t that much drier but the tyres were warmer so we got quicker and quicker. I am happy to have a Belgian front row. We worked hard all year to be here and it is great for everybody. I’d like to thank the whole team because we did such a great job in just one month.” Maxime Soulet, Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 nr75 (2nd) “To be on the front row of the grid at the 24 Hours of Spa is a dream come true. I am speechless! It is great for Porsche that we have two cars in the top three in Qualifying and it is a great feeling. I think that the car will be fine in the race and it is the same challenge for everybody at the weekend. The Prospeed Competition team is very happy – I’ve not seen our team principal happier!” Paulo Ruberti, AutOrlando Sport Porsche 997 GT3 R “For the last five minutes I was in the box with a broken gearbox. Better to do it today than Saturday and Sunday. The car was very fast so maybe we can fight with the other guys at the front in the race. This race is very important for the Blancpain Endurance Championship because it is double points. We need to finish the race to keep our lead. In dry conditions we are very fast also in the wet. In the medium conditions the car is not really perfect so we need to work to improve it. We hope the race will be dry but this is Spa so who knows.” Lionel Comole, Sport Garage Ferrari 430 Scuderia nr22 “The team has worked very hard. The car was very damaged (in Free Practice). It’s amazing for me to be here. It’s only my 8th race and the first time I drove at night and the first time at Spa. I suffer from an arthritic disease. It’s a terrible disease and it’s very important to give money to the research into the disease because a lot of people suffer from it. In order to give more money, my car will give 10 euros per kilometre in the 24 Hours of Spa and I hope we will get to the end of the race because it will mean that we can give €305,000 to the cause.” Alex Buncombe, RJN Motorsport Nissan 370Z nr63 GT4 “It was a mixed up day with the weather. We hadn’t had dry conditions all day so it was good to get the slick tyres on at the end. It’s fantastic to be on pole but as we all know it’s a 24-hour race and many things can happen. The team have been working extremely hard with the car and all we can do is keep our fingers crossed for the weekend.”

Blancpain, a tradition of innovation for over 275 years In 1735, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain began his watchmaking activity and installed his first workshop on the upper floor of his family home in Villeret, a village in the Swiss Jura mountains. By inscribing his name in the official communal property register, this pioneer created an establishment that is now the world’s oldest watch brand. Throughout its history, Blancpain has succeeded in maintaining solid continuity in its capacity for innovation and its respect for traditional horological values. Whether by perfecting complications, designs and production methods, or by exploring new horizons, the Manufacture has been devoted for more than 275 years to taking the art of watchmaking to places it has never yet ventured. From the first models created in the 18th century to the prestigious timepieces currently emerging from its workshops, Blancpain has forged an authentic tradition of innovation. The key to its success lies in the mastery of all fields involved in making an exceptional mechanical timepiece – from the creation of the movement and its components through to the functional design of the watch, along with the choice of materials and the extremely refined and entirely hand-crafted finishing. Without ever straying from its precious heritage, the brand steadfastly pursues its quest for performance, precision and elegance by offering a range of exceptional timepieces equipped with the most sophisticated horological complications. The nature of its collections – including the pure lines of the Villeret, the efficient complexity of Le Brassus, and the avant-garde design of L-evolution – is firmly rooted in watchmaking traditions while constantly pushing them towards new limits. In the same way, the ladies’ collection celebrates beauty and refinement, while the Sport collection is composed of instrument watches that are ready to face any situation on land, under water or in the air. While remaining unswervingly loyal to its values, Blancpain regularly associates with partners that share its passion for excellence. Whether in the field of motorsports, sailing, scuba diving, or that of gastronomy and the art of living, the Manufacture is proud of its partnerships that represent far more than mere co-branding. On the contrary, Blancpain commits itself fully to such forms of cooperation by joining forces with its partners in a determination to excel and to foster both creativity and authenticity.

. Info: Blancpain endurance series Photos: Marc Reynders/AmigosRacing