Audi R8 GRAND-AM at the Daytona 24 Hour Race
About the Daytona 24 Hour Race
Ingolstadt, January 23, 2013 - This weekend marks one of the most significant endurance races in the United States and perhaps the world. The Daytona 24 Hour race in Florida will feature strong participation from four independent Audi teams (not factory teams) on January 26-27, competing in the distinguished Audi R8 GRAND-AM with its mid-engine design.
Audi Teams Participating
With substantial support from Audi Sport's division for independent teams, the following teams will participate:
- Alex Job Racing (USA)
- APR Motorsport
- Rum Bum Racing
They will compete with four R8 GRAND-AM cars that have undergone extensive technical development from the manufacturer, ensuring they are fully prepared for the 2013 season, which will feature several GT competitors vying for the title of this iconic American race.
Comments from the Head of Motorsport
"We expect a very strong and competitive performance in the GT category this year," said Romolo Leibchen, Head of Audi's Independent Racing Division. He added: "We have a highly reliable car with great capabilities, and we have developed a smart strategy. However, the driver plays the most crucial role in this race, which is why we have supported Audi teams participating in Daytona this year with some of the strongest and most experienced drivers. Our goal is clear: to have the Audi R8 GRAND-AM at the top of the list of teams considering participation in the GRAND-AM series."
Audi Supports Teams with Elite Drivers
There is no doubt that this year's race will be intense, especially with a lineup of top Audi factory drivers, who have achieved significant accomplishments with the GT3 version of the Audi R8, participating with the independent teams in this famous American endurance race. The Alex Job Racing team will include:
- Portuguese driver Filipe Albuquerque
- British driver Oliver Jarvis
- Italian driver Eduardo Mortara
Notably, Albuquerque was the runner-up in the Italian Championship with the R8 LMS in 2010, while Jarvis had a strong performance last year in the GT1 World Championship with the R8 LMS ultra. Italian Mortara also clinched the GT Cup in Macau last year for the second consecutive time behind the wheel of the R8 LMS ultra and achieved two victories in the R8 LMS Cup in China in 2012. American driver Dion von Moltke, the winner of the Sebring 12 Hour race last year in the GTC class, will complete the lineup for the Alex Job Racing team.
Rum Bum Racing Team
The Rum Bum Racing team will feature:
- Veteran German driver and five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela
- German driver Christopher Haase
- Countryman Markus Winkelhock, who won the Nürburgring 24 Hour race last year with the R8 LMS ultra and is also a world champion in GT1 racing.
APR Motorsport Team
Meanwhile, APR Motorsport will include the German trio:
- Marc Basseng
- René Rast
- Frank Stippler - who won both the Nürburgring and Spa endurance races last year and is one of the development drivers at Audi's motorsport division within quattro GmbH.
The fourth team, APR number 51, will consist of:
- Matt Bell
- David Empringham
- John Farano
- Alex Figge
- Dave Lacey
