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By Tarek Ramchani
Daytona hosted the annual "Roar Before The Rolex 24" last weekend, the official test days of the Rolex 24 Hours. Audi was well represented at the world famous speedway. Four Audi R8 GRAND-AM cars were there and they did really well.
Audi debuted the R8 GRAND-AM spec car last year in the Rolex Series. It was a really mixed season, as APR Motorsport had a lot of ups and downs with the car. The team really improved during the season and achieved a sensational second in class at the season finale. Later towards the end of 2012 the Audi R8 GRAND-AM again proved that it was heading in the right direction. Audi Sport customer racing and quattro GmbH were among the fastest in the last December tests at Daytona.
Now the Audi Rolex Series squad has increased, welcoming two new comers. Both Alex Job Racing and Rum Bum Racing are fielded a single car each. They join APR Motorsport, the Alabama based team, who is back for the second straight year this time with two cars. All three teams worked very hard in these tests this weekend. Most of the time they were able to enter the top 10 in the very demanding GT class. The R8s were as fast as the world class rivals from the Porsche, Ferrari, Chevrolet and Mazda teams.
The amount of the support from Audi is clearly showing. The Four Ringed brand really wants to add an Audi victory in the Florida classic to their already impressive results with the Audi R8 in the other big endurance classics. Proof of that is the massive presence of Audi works drivers and Audi Sport customer racing engineers who are present with each of the three teams. In end the best result for the Audi R8 GRAND-AM was a fine second place in class, set in the third session with the #52 car of APR Motorsport.
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is set for the end of January. And as seen last weekend Audi will be one of the big favourites for the GT class win.
Photo credit: APR Motorsport / Daytona International Speedway
