Audi R8 LMS Cup: Abu Dhabi set for thrilling championship finale

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

• Alex Yoong and André Couto in best position for title
• Rahel Frey and “Franky” Cheng Congfu still in contention
• Cup debuts at Middle East with local Audi team entry

Abu Dhabi, December 10, 2014 — The Audi R8 LMS Cup is heading to Abu Dhabi for the final stop of the 2014 season on December 12-13. Alex Yoong closely leads the championship ahead of André Couto in second place. With Rahel Frey and “Franky” Cheng Congfu also still in contention, the Cup is set for an explosive conclusion. Rounds 11 and 12 at the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit are held together with the Gulf 12 Hours and mark the debut of the Audi R8 LMS Cup in the Middle East.

“The intense competition we have been seeing throughout the season continues into the final two races. Of course, Alex Yoong and André Couto are best positioned to win the championship out of the top four race drivers. The finale is bound to be spectacular. And the location further adds to the atmosphere as Abu Dhabi has one of the most advanced race tracks in the world,” commented Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

Ahead of the final two rounds, Yoong leads the championship with 156 points, just ahead of Couto (149 points). The two experienced motorsport veterans both notched up wins at the previous race weekend in Shanghai to ensure that the competition goes down to the wire.

The title aspirations of young Swiss GT Specialist Rahel Frey (121 points), and Chinese motorsport hero “Franky” Cheng Congfu (112 points) are also still alive. But they would need to achieve top positions in Abu Dhabi with Yoong and Couto not scoring high at the same time.

Audi Middle East Team will be making their first appearance in the Audi R8 LMS Cup this weekend, with local drivers Kahled Al Qubaisi and Saeed Al Mehairi representing the host country, the United Arab Emirates. "We are excited to announce the entry of these two successful Emirati racing drivers in the highly contested Audi R8 LMS Cup", said Trevor Hill, Managing Director of Audi Middle East. Khaled Al Qubaisi just finished third place overall in the LMGTE - Am category of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Heading to Abu Dhabi, Steven Lin has already sealed the Amateur championship of the Audi R8 LMS Cup, with his wins in Shanghai. However, Ashraff Dewal and Jacky Yeung will battle it out on the Yas Marina Circuit to determine second and third places.

In the Teams championship, Brothers Racing Team from China tops the standings on 165 points, just ahead of Audi TEDA Racing Team (157 points) with Audi Castrol Racing Team (126 points) in third. And in the Four Rings trophy for Audi regions and dealers teams, the Audi R8 LMS Cup team is leading with 117 points, ahead of KAMLUNG Racing (92 points) and Audi Korea (69 points).

Qualifying and Round 11 will be held on Friday, December 12, with Round 12 taking place on Saturday, December 13.

The Audi R8 LMS Cup is being held alongside the Gulf 12 Hours this weekend. Team Absolute Racing is fielding one Audi R8 LMS ultra entry in the GT3 category of the 12 hour endurance race.

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup