Audi Defends Title In Intercontinental GT Challenge

by Audi | November 6, 2017

•Audi Sport and Markus Winkelhock win worldwide GT series

•New concept for the Audi R8 LMS Cup

•René Rast ADAC Motorsportsman of the Year

Neuburg a. d. Donau, November 6, 2017 – Audi Sport customer racing, after 2016, has again won the only worldwide GT title. In addition to the manufacturers' title, the drivers' title went to Germany as well, to Audi Sport campaigner Markus Winkelhock.

Audi R8 LMS GT3

Title decision after three rounds: On clinching victory in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, Audi has won the only worldwide GT racing series with rounds held on the three continents of Australia, Europe and America. As in 2016, Audi prevailed in the GT3 manufacturers' classification, this year taking victory in front of ten other brands. The drivers' classification went to Markus Winkelhock, ahead of his two fellow Audi Sport drivers Christopher Haase and Christopher Mies. For the first time, the 37-year-old pro has now won a title with Audi, following an amazing number of five 24-hour race victories in the Audi R8 LMS reflected in his biography. They include the world's toughest GT3 race, the Spa 24 Hours. In Belgium, the driver from the German state of Baden-Württemberg won round two of the Intercontinental GT Challenge in July with Audi Sport Team Saintéloc. With Audi Sport Team Magnus, he subsequently decided the California 8 Hours at Laguna Seca in his favor as well. Following the cancelation of the final race scheduled in Malaysia in December, the title decision was produced early. 'A sincere thank you to Audi Sport customer racing and the teams I contested the Intercontinental GT Challenge with this season,' said Winkelhock. 'The two victories in Belgium and California were hardfought ones. My teammates had a major part in them, particularly Kelvin van der Linde without whose overtaking maneuver at Laguna Seca I wouldn't have become champion.'

Audi R8 LMS Cup 2018 exclusively for privateers: In its seventh season, the Audi R8 LMS Cup will feature a fundamentally new format, the one-make cup being exclusively reserved to privateer drivers in the future. They will have the choice between two race cars. The Audi R8 LMS GT3 will be joined by the Audi R8 LMS GT4 as an attractive newcomer. A mentoring program with guidance provided by professional Audi Sport drivers will make it possible for the privateers to systematically develop their driving skills further. All data from the practice sessions and the races will be openly accessible to all participants. At the same time, the service team from Absolute Racing as the official fielding team will offer maximum equality of opportunity to all the campaigners. Above and beyond the one-make cup, the motorsport platform of Audi Sport customer racing Asia encompasses the collaboration with local teams in diverse racing classes and series of the region. This is where the professional campaigners that used to be able to participate in the Audi R8 LMS Cup as well will have their stage in the future.

Award for versatile Audi campaigner: A jury has selected René Rast as ADAC Motorsportsman of the Year. The 31-year-old professional racing driver has won the DTM for Audi this year. His career began to pick up momentum in the one-make cups of the Volkswagen Group in 2005 before Rast switched to Audi's customer racing program and subsequently to the DTM while continuing to compete in selected GT racing events. His major successes in the Audi R8 LMS include class victory in the Daytona 24 Hours in 2016, overall victories in the 24-hour races at Spa in 2012 and 2014, and at the Nürburgring in 2014, plus the ADAC GT Masters title win in 2014. Rast has competed for Audi in the Le Mans 24 Hours as well. 'René is a gifted race driver and excellent ambassador for the whole brand,' said Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. 'The award recognizes his versatility and amazing number of successes he has clinched in his career to date.'

Dates for next week

11/10-12 Highlands Motorsport Park (NZ), round 4, Australian Endurance Championship

11/11-12 Motegi (J), round 8, Super GT

11/10-12 Austin (USA), 24H Endurance Series

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in 12 countries. 100 percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include Audi Sport GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).

In 2016, the Audi Group delivered to customers about 1.868 million automobiles of the Audi brand, 3,457 sports cars of the Lamborghini brand and 55,451 motorcycles of the Ducati brand. In the 2016 fiscal year, AUDI AG achieved total revenue of €59.3 billion and an operating profit of €3.1 billion. At present, approximately 88,000 people work for the company all over the world, more than 60,000 of them in Germany. Audi focuses on sustainable products and technologies for the future of mobility.

Photo credit: Audi
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