By Tarek Ramchani
Rahel Frey the Audi factory driver switched this year from DTM to GT racing with Audi Sport customer racing. The Swiss driver had a very busy and successful 2013 season across the globe with Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars taking part in different series and events.
Rahel Frey debuted this year in the demanding Blancpain Endurance Series. She joined the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT and drove the #2 Audi R8 LMS ultra within the upper Pro-Cup class with teammates Matt Halliday and Niki Mayr-Melnhof. Rahel Frey performed very well in what is clearly seen as the best GT3 field in the world. In all her stints Frey battled very well on track despite a penalizing Balance of Performance hitting the R8 LMS ultra.
The former DTM driver debuted in the demanding ADAC GT Masters. She joined the leading Audi team in the series, Prosperia C.Abt Racing sharing an Audi R8 LMS ultra with Christopher Haase. After some unlucky first races, she improved a lot and was able to challenge some of the best GT racers in Germany and Europe. Frey performances helped Prosperia C.Abt Racing clinching the ADAC GT Masters teams' title.
Rahel Frey took part also in selected events in the Asian based Audi R8 LMS Cup. She was among the fastest in the all R16 field. Highlight of the season, an impressive race win in Shanghai with her Castrol backed Audi R8 LMS.
The demanding Nürburgring Nordscheleife was a discovery for Rahel Frey. She debuted in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with team Audi race experience showing great pace. Rahel Frey took part later in the most prestigious event in the VLN Endurance Championship, the 6-hour race with again some good performances.
Rahel Frey ended off her 2013 season during December by taking part in the TSF Asia All Star Challenge in Taiwan. She shared a J-Fly Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra with Jeffrey Lee and the duo enjoyed podium results at the Penbay International Circuit.
Overall it was a very successful 2013 season for Rahel Frey with Audi. Audi Sport announced that she will return next year as an instructor with Audi race experience in VLN Endurance Championship and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. We hope to see her again in other races and series.
Photo credit:
Rahel Frey
J-Fly Racing
