Datum: 27.04.2012 · 24h Le Mans

VLN-testrace in preperation of the 24h at the Nürburgring

Pierres Audi at the Nürburgring (Picture by Thomas Bauer)
Pierres Audi at the Nürburgring (Picture by Thomas Bauer)

The Audi Race Experience team has just announced its drivercrews for the teams two Audi R8 LMS ultras for the next 24 hours at the Nürburgring. On both cars of Audis premium customer team a bunch of international experienced pilots will conquer the famous 24h-enduro, which is started on the 19.th of may for the 40th time.

The first R8 will be shared by italian ex FIA-GT-Champion Luca Capellari, the malaysian ex-F1-driver Alex Yoong, GT-Pilot Warren Luff from Australia and german Audi-instructor Florian Gruber. On the second car of the team Pierre Ehret will share the car with his Partners Peter Venn from Britain, Christian Bollrath from Germany and 3 time-Le Mans winner and triple ALMS-Champion Marco Werner.

For Ehret the Nordschleife is a new terrain which wants to be coquered with the necessary respect: Together with his colleagues he got a first impression at the VLN-testdays at the end of march. „At my first laps I did not pay attention to my laptimes but instead wanted to learn this huge track. You have to approach this monster of racetrack with the required knowledge before messing around with all the experienced Nürburgring-specialists. Additionally we had to get known to the R8 LMS ultra which is a good handling but complex racing-device. But the test was very interesting and enjoyable so I´m looking forward to the race next weekend and the 24hours in 4 weeks time.“

This weekend the 3rd heat of the VLN, the ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup, will be the last ultimate test for both crews of the Audi Race Experience. Also Ehret will share his car with Marco Werner and Christian Bollrath. Further races of the Audi Race experience will follow at the 24 hours at the 19.May and at the VLN-heats on the 23. June, 4. August and at the 27. Oktober. Audi still tries to win the 24hour classic, which is run for the 40th time this year, for its first time. Not less then 7 R8 LMS – employed by the teams of Audi Race Experience, WRT, Mamerow Racing, Raeder Motorsport and the official worksteam run by Phoenix-Racing, will battle against the opponents of BMW, Porsche and Mercedes.