•Audi R8 LMS victories in China
•Next success for the Audi RS 3 LMS in the TCR International Series
•Audi Sport customer racing introduces itself to the next generation
In Asia, Italy and Russia the drivers from several Audi customer teams stood on the podium this weekend.
Audi R8 LMS (GT3)
Two victories in China GT: Xu Jia celebrated two overall victories at the season opener at the China GT racing series. The Chinese from the Kings Linky Racing Team won both rounds at the Goldenport Circuit in Beijing with an Audi R8 LMS. In the GTC class, Kimi Quin prevailed in the second race in an Audi R8 LMS from Spirit Z-Racing, whilst Bian Hao and Will Bamber occupied third place in the JRM team’s Audi.
Two 1-2-3 victories: The Tianshi Racing Team achieved a very successful result in the GT Masters China. The season opener at Zhuhai in southern China saw all of the trophies being awarded to Audi drivers. Huang Chuhan won the first race ahead of Max Wilser/Liu Peng and Cheng Weian/Jiao Peng. The same result was achieved in the second race.
Podium success in Monza: At the opener of the Michelin Le Mans Cup, an Audi customer team celebrated a trophy after 120 race minutes. The British driver duo Flick Haigh/Joe Osborne took second place in the GT3 category at Monza with an Audi R8 LMS from the Optimum Racing team.
Formula 1 in schools: The participants of the well-known technology competition for young people, Formula 1 in schools, crowned ‘celerity.team’ their German champion at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm on May 13. An Audi Sport customer racing employee, an international race driver and two real race cars – an Audi R8 LMS and an Audi RS 5 DTM – were also present at the event. Johannes Kind, responsible for coordinating the testing and entry preparation of the Audi R8 LMS, explained to the pupils the demands of everyday life in racing. The South African Audi Sport driver Kelvin van der Linde was impressed with the way the model cars driven by gas cartridges tackled the 20-meter-long track. Subsequently, the 2014 ADAC GT Masters champion handed over the prizes to the best teams in the winners’ ceremony.
Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)
Victory for the title-defender: Stefano Comini clinched his second victory of the season in the TCR International Series. The Swiss won the second race of the weekend in Monza with the ComToYou Racing team. His Belgian teammate Frédéric Vervisch completed the good result for the team in third place. Comini is third in the standings after four of ten events, ComToYou Racing is second in the team ranking.
First victory in Russia: Dmitry Bragin scored his first victory in the TCR Russia with the Audi RS 3 LMS. In Fort Grozny, last year’s champion took a narrow win in the second race, crossing the finish line with a 0.6 second advantage and thus took the lead of the standings.
Podium in Zhuhai: At the third TCR Asia event Shaun Thong achieved a podium result. The driver from Hong Kong drove to the third place in the second race of the weekend in Zhuhai in the Audi RS 3 LMS from Audi Hong Kong.
Dates for next week
19–21/05 Mosport (CDN), Pirelli World Challenge SprintX/TC 3rd and 4th round
18–20/05 Alastaro (FIN), TCR Scandinavia 4th to 6th round
19–21/05 Lausitzring (D), ADAC GT Masters 3rd and 4th round
19–21/05 Zandvoort (NL), TCR Benelux 6th to 10th round
19–21/05 Taupo (NZ), North Island Endurance Series 1st round
20–21/05 Chang International Circuit (THA), Blancpain GT Series Asia 3rd and 4th round
20–21/05 Autopolis (J), Super GT 3rd round
19–20/05 Red Bull Ring (A), DMV GTC 5th and 6th round
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