In front of a large audience, Team WRT clinched two second places with the Audi R8 LMS in the supporting program of the 24-hour race at Le Mans. Other Audi Sport customer racing teams clinched trophies in Belgium, South Africa and Hungary.
Audi R8 LMS GT3
Twice on the podium at Le Mans: Team WRT celebrated two second places with the Audi R8 LMS on the French traditional race track. The third round of the Le Mans Cup – a race series for LMP3 and GT3 sports cars – was contested in the supporting program of the Le Mans 24 Hours. In a thrilling first race, only 1.5 seconds separated the four fastest competitors in the end. The brothers Maxime and Arnold Robin from France finished second in the GT3 classification after twelve laps in the Audi of the Belgian team, just six tenths behind. In the second race, Maxime Robin fought a neck-and-neck race with Honda driver Kasper Jensen on the last lap, which the Dane narrowly won. Thus, the Robin brothers again finished second, again six tenths behind.
Two trophies at Zwartkops: Charl Arangies was delighted with two trophies at the fourth round of the G&H Extreme Supercars Series in South Africa. The local Audi privateer in the R8 LMS finished second behind Jonathan du Toit in each of the two sprints on the Zwartkops circuit.
On tour: The Audi R8 LMS, with which Audi Sport customer racing clinched its sixth victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hours on May 29, is a coveted photo motif at the Neckarsulm site. After the GT3 sports car was initially on display in its original patina at the AUDI AG works meeting, it is now on display for the public at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. The six trophies that Audi has won at the endurance race in the Eifel since 2012, which are also on display, round off the motorsport presentation.
Audi R8 LMS GT2
Championship lead defended: At the second round of the Belcar Endurance Championship, Team PK Carsport was only narrowly beaten in the three-hour race but continues to lead the standings. The Audi R8 LMS GT2 of Peter Guelinckx/Bert Longin/Stienes Longin was the fastest of 18 contenders in qualifying at the guest event at Magny-Cours with a lead of 2.4 seconds. In the race, the Audi privateers were leading until a puncture forced them to make an unscheduled pit stop 30 minutes before the end. Two minutes before the end of the race, their car had to pit again for a short refueling stop and ultimately crossed the finish line 2.8 seconds behind in second position. After winning the season opener at Zolder and finishing second at the French circuit, the three Belgians continue to maintain their lead in the standings with a six-point advantage.
Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)
Best result of the season in the FIA WTCR: Nathanaël Berthon managed his most successful race to date in the third round of the WTCR – FIA Touring Car World Cup. The Audi Sport driver finished third ahead of his Belgian teammate Gilles Magnus in the first sprint race at the Hungaroring for Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport. The Frenchman in the Audi RS 3 LMS had been in second place until the penultimate lap when he was beaten by his compatriot Yann Ehrlacher.
Class victory in Belgium: Michael De Keersmaecker celebrated a class win in the Audi RS 3 LMS on the third race weekend of the Dutch club racing series Supercar Challenge. The Belgian from the JDK/BMS Motorsport team won the Supersport 1 division by 17 seconds after 33 laps in the first of two races at Zolder.
Audi R8 LMS GT4
Good performance in South Africa: Kwanda Mokoena again put in a good showing in the Audi R8 LMS GT4 at the fourth round of the G&H Extreme Supercars Series. The South African not only won his class in both sprints but proved what is possible with the production-based Audi in a mixed sports car field of 16 competitors by finishing eighth and seventh overall.
Coming up next week
17–18/06 Skellefteå (S), round 2, TCR Scandinavia
17–18/06 Skellefteå (S), round 2, GT4 Scandinavia
17–18/06 Hampton Downs (NZ), round 3, North Island Endurance Series
17–19/06 Imola (I), round 3, DTM
17–19/06 Imola (I), round 2, DTM Trophy
17–19/06 Salzburgring (A), round 3, Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy
17–19/06 Salzburgring (A), round 3, ADAC TCR Germany
17–19/06 Virginia (USA), round 3, GT America
17–19/06 Virginia (USA), round 3, GT4 America
17–19/06 Zandvoort (NL), round 3, GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup
17–19/06 Rudskogen (N), round 3, Racing NM
18/06 Silverstone (GB), round 4, British Endurance Championship
18–19/06 Spa (B), round 3, TCR Europe
18–19/06 Brands Hatch (GB), round 3, TCR UK
19/06 Spa (B), round 3, International GT Open
19/06 Misano (I), round 3, Coppa Italia Turismo