By Johan Laubscher
In its third season the Blancpain Endurance Championship continues to grow and is now the largest GT3 championship in Europe. Three Audi teams will be competing in the series with no less than seven 2013 specification Audi R8 LMS ultra cars. Three cars from Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and two each from Phoenix Racing and Saintéloc Racing.
The official BES test days were held this week. Paul Ricard hosted the first two days of testing on Tuesday and Wednesday. A huge field of GT3 cars took part at the test, with over sixty cars on site. Among the cars present were all seven of the Audis. Following the Paul Ricard test many of the teams travelled to Monza for two further days of testing on Thursday and Friday. The Monza test days were comprised of Blancpain and WTCC competitors. WRT and Phoenix Racing also took part in the testing held at Monza.
The teams will now head home to continue preparations for the opening round of the season. The season opener is set for April 15 at Monza. It will be another great year for Audi fans in the BES with seven cars to support, not to mention the fact that WRT will be aiming for their third successive BES championship title.
Photo credit: Mr Monza - Stefano Ciabattoni
