Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release
• Driver team to be recruited from the Asia-based Audi R8 LMS Cup
• Program includes tests and preparation races in the “Green Hell”
• Audi Sport customer racing Asia offers international platform for Asian drivers
Beijing, October 18, 2014 – Audi Sport customer racing Asia will compete at the 2015 Nürburgring 24 hours endurance race with a driver team from the Audi R8 LMS Cup, the brand’s Asia-based GT series.
“For the first time, we join the world’s leading touring car endurance race with our own team of Audi R8 LMS Cup drivers. With the Nürburgring 24h entry, Audi further broadens its platform for Asian drivers to gain international exposure and experience”, commented Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.
The first candidates have already started testing on the demanding “Green Hell” of the track’s famous north loop, the Nordschleife. On October 11, drivers “Franky” Cheng Congfu (China), Marchy Lee (Hong Kong) and Shaun Thong (Hong Kong) raced in Round 9 of the Nürburgring’s 2014 VLN Endurance Series and finished 18th out of over 200 entries. Thong has just joined the new Young Driver Development Program of Audi in Asia. “At the VLN race, our Asian drivers have already shown their ability to be competitive on this highly demanding circuit”, said Koneberg.
The final driver team for the Nürburgring 24h on May 14-17 2015 will be decided after more rounds of testing. The Nürburgring is located in Nürburg, in the west of Germany. The complete circuit is 25.9km long and features 170 turns. Motorsport legend Jackie Stewart famously called it the “Green Hell”, because of the green scenery surrounding the highly technical track. Audi won the Nürburgring 24h twice in 2012 and 2014.
Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup
