M-Sport Racing sign-up to British GT with Audi power
British GT Press Release
Leading WRC squad, M-Sport Racing will race in the 2013 Avon Tyres British GT Championship as it prepares itself to engineer the return of famous British brand, Bentley the following year.
The Cumbria-based team will run a single Audi R8 LMS ultra in the 2013 season with reigning British GT GT4 Champion, Warren Hughes and Dutch driver, Rembert Berg taking on driving duties. With vast experience of off-track motorsport and a solid engineering background, the M-Sport team will compete in British GT to gain real world experience of the GT racing scene.
Developed by Audi in 2008, the R8 LMS is a worthy competitor and, since launching in 2009, has taken no fewer than 157 victories from 579 races. The vehicle used by M-Sport Racing will be a 2013 'ultra' evolution boasting upgrades to the engine, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics for the new season.
According to an article in Autosport magazine today, the team are due to receive the car this week ahead of a first test next week at Oulton Park. Reportedly the team has another day of testing planned at Oulton Park before the season opener at the same circuit over the Easter weekend (30/3 - 1/4).
Quotes
Warren Hughes, Driver: "I'm delighted to be joining M-Sport Racing and I am more excited about this programme than I have been for a long time. The people and facilities at M-Sport give this project fantastic potential and my aim will be to impress as I look forward to what may hopefully lead to a successful partnership. I'm also really looking forward to working with my new team mate, Rembert Berg, and hoping that we will make a very good team."
Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport Managing Director: "Since the announcement at the end of last year that M-Sport will make a new venture into circuit racing, the team has been working tirelessly to ensure that we are as fully prepared as possible for this new project. Running the Audi R8 LMS in the British GT Championship will allow the team to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience and be as fully equipped as possible for the exciting challenges ahead."
Photo credit: Audi Media