By Johan Laubscher
1. The Weekend
Focussing this week on the weekend of 16 - 17
September 2012
2. The Events
- FIA WEC
- DTM
- ADAC GT Masters
- Spanish GT
- Portuguese GT
- HSR
- Audi R8 LMS Cup
- Norwegian GT
- FIA Hillclimb
- French Rallycross
- Goodwood Revival
- Austrian Hillclimb
- SCCA Regionals
2.1. FIA WEC
The fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship headed to
Brazil. The two regular Audi R18 driver teams were joined by local driver Lucas
di Grassi in the #2 R18 ultra. Silverstone had shown the tremendous pace of the
Toyota TS030, but also its lack of fuel efficiency. The headline of the
Brazilian round was the continued speed of the Toyota but with a massive
increase in fuel efficiency. Audi and Toyota traded fastest times during the
sessions which ended with pole for Toyota. The race was a blue blitz. The
Toyota held the lead from the start and won the race. The
TS030’s greater pace overcome the pitstop deficit. The Audis had their own
in-house battle during the race which resulted in the #1 finishing in second
followed by the #2 in third. It was a historic day for LMP1 as the category has
come alive with real competition.
2.2. DTM
The DTM was at Oschersleben this weekend. After the Audi domination at
Zandvoort this weekend was a stark contrast. The Audis did not set the pace
this weekend and no Audis made it into the top four during qualifying. The race
was very difficult as various issues pushed the Audis back. Four Audis did make it into the top ten,
however the highest of these was Rocky in sixth place.
2.3. ADAC
GT Masters
The ADAC GT Masters returned to the Nürburgring this weekend as the
Audis continued to struggle with the Balance of Performance. Despite the deficit
the Audi teams continued to push very hard. Only one Audi, the Mamerow Racing
car, made it into the top ten during a qualifying session. The races had similar results. Race one saw Prosperia
uhc speed achieve tenth place and during race two Mamerow finished in eighth,
these were the top finishing Audis in both races respectively.
2.4. Spanish GT
The Portuguese Novadriver team had a very busy weekend. They entered both
the Spanish GT and Portuguese GT rounds. One Audi R8 LMS ultra from the team
was entered at each event. The Spanish GT series was at Valencia for an endurance
race. They qualified well in second but a mechanical fault sidelined the them
during the race.
2.5. Portuguese
GT
The Portuguese GT was at Braga this weekend.
One Audi R8 LMS ultra from the Novadriver team was entered for the event. This
event also formed part of the Iberian Supercars Trophy. The team were very fast
all weekend and won the first race. Race two saw another podium finish as the team came second.
2.6. Historic Sports Car Racing
The HSR held the Road Atlanta Historic races this weekend. The GMT
Racing Audi R8 LMP (#606) driven by Travis Engen was at the event.
2.7. Audi
R8 LMS Cup
The Audi R8 LMS Cup and its sixteen car grid headed to Zhuhai for the
second time this season. The weekend belonged to ex-F1 man, Alex Yoong. He
secured pole position and converted it into two race victories. The result
rocketed Yoong back into the title hunt. Despite the domination by Alex, the
championship is still led by Marchy Lee.
2.8. Norwegian GT
The
Norwegian GT Racing series was held at Rudskogen this weekend, the season
finale. Various Audis compete in this series, including an Audi A5 TDI, sport
quattro and a 80.
2.9. FIA Hillclimb
The final round of the FIA Hillclimb series was this weekend. It was the Buzetski
Dani Hillcimb. Various Audis competed, including the modified ABT-Audi TT-R
driven by Vláďa Vitver.
2.10. French Rallycross
The finale of the French Rallycross season took place at Mayenne. The
ex-Racing Team Jagu Audi A3, which is now run privately by Jimmy Terpereau, was
at the event. Racing Team Jagu may not have taken part during the 2012 season,
but they have already previewed the Audi A1 racer with which they will compete during
2013.
2.11. Goodwood Revival
The annual Goodwood Revival once again saw an incredible collection of
legendary race cars. Among the cars entered at the event were a group of
Auto Union Grand Prix cars from Audi Tradition. The cars formed part of a
reunion of the silver arrows, the cars from Auto Union (Audi) and Mercedes-Benz.
The Auto Union drivers at Goodwood included Frank Biela and Nick Mason.
2.12. Austrian Hillcimb
A week after the return of the Marko Racing Team they were back in
action on the hills of Austria. This weekend the team was at the Semriach
Hillcimb with their immaculately prepared Audi A4 STW.
2.13. SCCA Regionals
Limitless Racing and Dr Jason Lee where again
racing in a regional event this weekend. The event was the SCCA Double Regionals at Watkins Glen. Dr Lee and his Audi R8 GRAND-AM finished first
in the STO class and second overall at the event.
2.14. Other Audi news
A great collection of Audi cars were in Switzerland this weekend for the
Audi Club Festival hosted by Audi Sport Club Suisse.
Amoung the cars were a collection of Audi quattro rally cars and the Audi sport
Quattro S1 replica built by Prospeed from Bulgaria.
The race-taxi Audi R8 LMS ultra at the Oschersleben DTM round had a new
livery this weekend. The white R8 LMS ultra was wearing a FC Bayern München
livery and was driven by Christopher Haase.
Phoenix Racing have announced that they will be at the next Blancpain
Endurance Series round, held at the Nürburgring. The 2012 Spa 24 Hour winners
will field one car to be driven by Rast, Primat
and Ludwig.
The American DragonSpeed team have revealed more details about their
future plans. The team continues testing their new Audi R8 LMS ultra ahead of
its debut which will take place during 2013. The race debut will be at the 2013
Dubai 24 Hours followed by the Bathurst 12 Hours and a European endurance tour
which will include the Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hour races.
United Autosports announced that they will field their Audi R8 LMS ultra
in the 2013 British GT season. The team will run the car, which will be driven Matt Bell and Mark Patterson, alongside
their two McLaren race cars.
3. Next Weekend’s events (22-23/09/2012)
- BTCC
- Blancpain Endurance
- FIA GT1
- FIA GT3
- SA Production Cars
- Czech MMCR
- Australian GT
- DMV TCC
- Italian GT
- SCCA National Runoffs
- RCN
- Silverstone 24 Hours
- STCC
- Brazil DTCC
- Histo Cup
- Mexican SuperTurismos
- Dutch Supercar
- AvD 100 Meilen
All photos are hosted at their respective website which are listed within the Weekend Round Up
