Highlands 101: Runner-up finish for Salmon/MPC Audi in New Zealand enduro

By Johan Laubscher

The Highlands 101 concluded the race weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand. Two Audis were entered for the three hour endurance race on Sunday.

The 2013 Australian GT Championship concluded with its finale at Highlands, hosting races one and two on Friday and Saturday. A special non-championship race was scheduled for Sunday, the Highlands 101, and many of the Australian GT competitors took part in this hundred and one lap endurance race.

Both Audis that were entered for the Australian GT races were also entered for the Highlands 101. Melbourne Performance Centre fielded the two cars for their customers. The #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra was driven by car-owner, Rod Salmon, and his co-drivers, Liam Talbot and Jason Bright. The #71 Equity-One Motorsport Audi R8 LMS had Dean Koustoumidis and Andrew McInnes behind the wheel. 

Qualifying was held early on Sunday morning and the highest placed Audi was the #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra in fifth place. The #71 R8 LMS qualified ninth.

The race featured an interesting starting procedure, said to be a modern take on the traditional Le Mans style start of years past. The competitors left the grid for two warm up laps, after which they headed back into the pits and parked in front of the garages in starting order, angled for exiting their pit-slot. The starting drivers all stayed inside of their vehicles and their teammates where lined up on the opposite side of the circuit. The drivers then ran to their cars and grabbed a ribbon that was attached to the rear of the car. Once the ribbon had been grabbed the individual cars were waved off with their pit lane speed limiters engaged. The racing began when they exited the pits in their release order based on the running start.

After the eventful starting procedure the race got underway. The #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra crew had progressed well during the race and were inside of the top three during the closing stages. They tried to close the gap to the leaders, but ultimately they finished second behind the race winning #7 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 of Fabian Coulthard and Tony Quinn. This rounded out an excellent weekend for the #6 MPC Audi, as Rod Salmon and Liam Talbot won the first Australian GT race and finished third in the second - and then the pair was joined by Jason Bright to finish second in the Highlands 101 on Sunday. The #71 Equity-One Motorsport Audi R8 LMS of Dean Koustoumidis and Andrew McInnes finished ninth in the Highlands 101.

Highlights from the race can be watched below. Video produced by Other Side Productions:

Photo credit: Australian GT

Tit Bit

Bruce Jenner just drove past my front window.

He wasn't with Kris Jenner.

No surprise there.

But he was with a mystery woman.

SCANDAL

Sure fire hit......

Rob Lowe stars as President Kennedy in 

" Killing Kennedy"

Airing tomorrow.
(Sunday)

He's brilliant in the role.

But whats more it is going to give his career a massive boost.

Resulting in many awards.

PORN SHUTDOWN – Documentary on HIV outbreak in porn industry – from “Dark Side of Porn” Series

Here is a very powerful documentary that shows just how very UNSAFE porn truly is. It was made awhile ago, but the recent HIV outbreak in porn demonstrates that nothing has really changed.WARNING!! VERY GRAPHIC & DISTURBING CONTENT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX4TngmWtbg DESCRIPTION: Porn performer Darren James was diagnosed with HIV in early 2004, and then infected several women, which led

Audi R8 LMS Cup: Adderly Fong keeps championship open for final race

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

•          Championship leader Alex Yoong out of final round after crash
•          Adderly Fong can clinch the title after his third place in qualifying
•          Macau veterans, Edoardo Mortara and André Couto, on front row of the grid

Macau, November 9, 2013 – A gripping qualifying for the final round of the 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup saw championship leader Yoong crash out and end his chances of competing in the final race of the season. The incident early in qualifying meant that his closest rival, Fong, was able to secure the sole qualifying point by posting the third fastest lap and keep his championship chances alive. The front of the grid will see guest driver's Edoardo Mortara first and André Couto second. However, due to championship regulations for guest drivers, neither is able to score points both in qualifying and round 11. 

"I was glad that Alex [Yoong] was not injured. It really shows that our technology and safety innovations such as the space frame are working well. Adderly [Fong] drove well and is now in touch again for the championship. My congratulations go to Edorado Mortara and André Couto, they really showed their racing skills at this challenging circuit" said Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

The dramatic qualifying for the final race of the 2013 season was incident packed from start to finish. On only the third lap of the session, Yoong lost control of his car coming out of a turn and hit the wall hard. The serious nature of the crash meant that Yoong's car took a heavy impact and will not be fixed in time for the Malaysian to race on Sunday. After a long suspension the cars came back onto the track, where Mortara and Fong competed for quickest time, before Couto managed to squeeze in between with his fastest time in his final qualifying lap.

Fong is now in an excellent position with third place on the grid. Meaning, if he maintains his position as the best of the regular cup drivers, he will be overall champion ahead of Yoong.

Adderly Fong:

"Going into the race I was 24 points behind Alex Yoong and had only a small chance of keeping in touch in the championship. I didn't really think it would happen, so I am happy. I was so nervous all day before qualifying. It is great to be racing with André and Edoardo and also so close to home.

Edoardo Mortara:

"Qualifying went well for me so I am happy. I pushed hard at the start, maybe a little too hard, so I was not able to improve on my early laps. I was worried Couto would be able to beat me. It is great to come in and both put in a performance for the Brothers Racing Team."

André Couto:

"I was not particularly comfortable all qualifying, especially in the first part. I knew near the end I needed to get a quick lap. I am hoping for a clean and safe race and helping to secure a 1-2 for the Brothers Racing Team."

Alex Au:

"This is my first time here so I was trying to learn as much as possible, in a way it was like practice. I was glad to discover I was quickest out of the amateurs, I was concentrating so hard that I did not notice at all."

Alex Yoong:

"I feel ok. It shows the car is very safe. I really wish I could drive tomorrow."

Round 11 Starting Grid
 

(Pro) Professional
(Am) Amateur Driver
(D) Dealer Driver
(G) Guest Driver

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website: www.audir8lmscup.com

Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2013, Upcoming Races

10 November, Guia International Circuit, Macau

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup

TOLD YA Splitsville

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

51yr old marries 16yr old.......

http://t.radaronline.com/radaronline/#!/entry/courtney-stodden-on-marriage-split-i-wanted-my-freedom,527e5eb3025312186c820f5d

OK you right wing nut jobs.

Who oppose marriage for all.

Under the marriage is sacred mantra.

Why are you lot not against this......

Doug Hurchinson 51yr old actor 

marries 

16yr old country singer Courtney Aleis Stodden.

Is this how to keep marriage sacred as you claim.....

Don't think so.....

Simply perverted.

MIND YOU IT WON'T LAST.....

Make sure you take cover in 2012 when she releases her single.

GT Open: Overall GT3 podium for Team Novadriver Audi in Barcelona race one

By Johan Laubscher

The International GT Open is hosting the season finale at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend. Two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars were entered for the GT Open finale.

The GT Open finale is being held alongside the finale of the Spanish IBER GT Championship, with both series running together on track. Both championships are split into two categories: the SGT class for GTE specification vehicles and GTS for GT3 specification vehicles.

Three Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are on the grid, of which two are GT Open entrants. The first car is from Team Novadriver, who has entered their #81 Audi R8 LMS ultra in GT Open with drivers Cesar Campanico and GT Open GTS class (GT3) title hopeful, Rafael Hideo Suzuki. This #81 car is also entered for the Spanish IBER GT. Team Novadriver also entered a second Audi in the event, but this #80 car is only entered in the Spanish IBER GT class. Team Novadriver is aiming for the Spanish IBER GT title and Suzuki is aiming to become the GT Open GTS champion. The second GT Open entered car is entered by Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, the #88 Audi R8 LMS ultra of Filipe Albuquerque and Yves Weerts.

Qualifying saw the #81 of Campanico and Suzuki taking seventh on the overall combined grid. Thus they took seventh overall within the GT Open and second in the GT Open GTS (GT3) class. The #88 WRT Audi qualified way back in the field by taking thirty-fifth overall.

The first race was held late on Saturday and concluded with the #81 Audi R8 LMS ultra finishing fourth overall within the combined standings. They took third place within the GT Open GTS class. The WRT Audi was running at the back of the field, but Albuquerque was able to recover during his stint and the #88 WRT Audi finished in twenty-eighth place.

The second and final race is set for tomorrow afternoon.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver

IBER GT: GT3 class pole and podium for Team Novadriver in Barcelona race one

By Johan Laubscher

The Spanish IBER GT Championship is hosting the season finale at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend. Two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are entered for the IBER GT finale.

The IBER GT finale is being held alongside the finale of the International GT Open, with both series running together on track. Both championships are split into two categories: the SGT class for GTE specification vehicles and GTS for GT3 specification vehicles.

Three Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are on the grid, of which two are IBER GT entrants. Team Novadriver had entered both of their Audi R8 LMS ultra cars this weekend. The first car from Team Novadriver is the #81 Audi R8 LMS ultra with drivers Cesar Campanico and GT Open GTS class (GT3) title hopeful, Rafael Hideo Suzuki. This #81 car is entered for both the Spanish IBER GT and GT Open. Team Novadriver is aiming for the Spanish IBER GT title and Suzuki is aiming to become the GT Open GTS champion.

Team Novadriver’s second car is the #80 Audi R8 LMS ultra driven by Manuel Gião and Lourenço Da Veiga, who are only entered in the IBER GT. A third Audi is also on the grid, but it is only entered in the GT Open class, the car entered by Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, the #88 Audi R8 LMS ultra of Filipe Albuquerque and Yves Weerts.

Qualifying saw the #81 of Campanico and Suzuki taking seventh on the overall combined grid and second within the combined GTS (GT3) class. Thus they took fourth overall within the IBER GT and pole position in the IBER GT GTS (GT3) class. Their teammates qualified eighteenth on the overall combined grid, taking fifth within the IBER GT GTS (GT3) class. 

The first race was held late on Saturday and concluded with the #81 Audi R8 LMS ultra placing fourth within the overall combined results. This was enough to take third overall within IBER GT and second place within the IBER GT GTS class. Their teammates in the #80 Audi finished fifteenth overall in the combined results.

The second and final race is set for tomorrow afternoon.

Photo credit: Team Novadriver

FIA WEC: Sixth WEC victory of the season for Audi and Drivers’ World Championship title at Shanghai *

Audi Press Release

•          Le Mans winners are early World Endurance Champions in China
•          Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer celebrate race victory at Shanghai
•          Fourteenth podium result for Audi in current WEC season

Ingolstadt/Shanghai, November 9, 2013 – On clinching a title and the sixth victory of the season at the seventh of eight rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Audi had two reasons to celebrate. After the success in the Manufacturers’ World Championship had been determined in Japan three weeks earlier, Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB) in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro won the drivers’ classification* in China. At Shanghai, the trio only had to take third place. Their team-mates Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) won the race following a strong performance.

Now all six Audi factory drivers, who are contesting the entire WEC, have won a World Championship: Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish follow Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer, who were the first to decide the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in their favor last year. Three victories – at Silverstone, the Le Mans 24 Hours and Austin – plus three second places at Spa, São Paulo and Fuji, and third place at Shanghai, provided the foundation for the Championship success.

In the current season, Audi has celebrated 14 podium finishes, including six victories in the WEC. The drivers’ title was decided in the most important single market of AUDI AG in China on a circuit that actually does not suit the Audi R18 e-tron quattro well. Despite this factor and a puncture that required an additional pit stop Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer secured the first sports car victory for Audi in China. Tréluyer, following a strong final sprint, crossed the finish line with an advantage of 15.374 seconds. Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish in the battle for the title avoided any unnecessary risk and concentrated on driving a flawless race throughout. Audi is now traveling to the WEC finale at Bahrain, where in three weeks from now the brand aims to take its seventh WEC victory of the season.

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA

Quotes after the race

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “That was a brilliant victory because it was a really hard-fought one. The race was thrilling all the way to the end and decided only in the last half hour. The team performance was particularly nice because car number ‘2’ helped out car number ‘1’ with tire sets. Consequently, we delivered a great result for the Audi brand and showed how harmoniously our team functions. In the winning team, Benoît Tréluyer had a very important part. The track suits him particularly well.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “A tremendous result. We knew before that the track doesn’t suit us so well. It was the biggest challenge in the World Championship. At the beginning of the race, it was obvious how difficult the situation was for us. But in the end, we showed a strong forward battle. That’s how we won the race and the drivers of number ‘2’ took the World Champion’s title.”

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “The race started very hard but ultimately ended in a brilliant result for us. During the course of the race the situation between our competitor and us completely changed. Even at the midpoint of the race we didn’t believe that we were going to take victory. We won and the new driver World Champions were on the podium too. ‘Well done’ to the whole squad.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “Today was Ben Tréluyer’s day. He was incredibly good today and throughout the weekend. Our team did a brilliant job as well and carried out a perfect strategy. This is a great day for Audi. The Drivers’ World Championship has been decided as well. Congratulations to our team-mates in number ‘2.’ And we can be very pleased today too.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “A fantastic day for Audi with our victory. We had Super-Ben in our car today. Originally, he only wanted to drive two stints. But because he was extremely fast he wound up driving four. In the beginning, we lost a bit of ground and had to change a flat tire. But we managed to turn the situation around with a better strategy and better tires. We subsequently caught up with Toyota, who had a puncture too. This made the race extremely thrilling. And our team-mates have won the World Championship title. A great day!”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “Congratulations to our team-mates on winning the World Championship title. Tom and Allan have been top-caliber drivers for such a long time; they simply deserve it – just like Loïc, who’s experienced a great season. Our Audi was outstanding. After we didn’t have the right tires at the beginning of the race, we became notably faster on a different type of tire. Car number ‘2’ helped us out with these tire sets. Thank you very much for that! This way, I was able to overtake Alex Wurz in traffic. It was a thrill all the way to the end.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “I’ve only driven a full season for Audi alongside Tom and Allan this year. This was combined with a certain pressure as well as a nice hope. After all, I’m driving in the best team of the world. We’ve always given our best and have won the World Champion’s title for it today. That’s an overwhelming feeling in this outstanding year in which we’ve also won Le Mans together. More than this isn’t possible.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “In karting, I finished the World Championship as the runner-up once. Now I’ve won the World Champion’s title with Audi. That’s a nice feeling. And we competed against last year’s World Champions and had to stand our ground. Loïc, Allan and Audi Sport Team Joest did a brilliant job. A nice feeling.”

Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “I’ve been waiting for this moment since 1985. Even in karting, I battled for the World Champion’s title – back then at Le Mans by the way. In Formula 1, I didn’t have a real chance. Now, in my third motorsport discipline, it’s worked out. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together this year. Things were going really well. For me, the race at Austin was a very important element on the way to today’s success. Now I’ve got a feeling of special warmth in my body and of special wetness on my back, after Alex Wurz drenched me in champagne ...”

Race results

1 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 190 laps in 6h 01m33.343s
2 Lapierre/Wurz (Toyota) + 15.374s
3 Duval/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) – 1 lap
4 Beche/Belicchi/Prost (Lola-Toyota) – 5 laps
5 Conway/Martin/Rusinov (Oreca-Nissan) – 13 laps
6 Brundle/Heinemeier Hansson/Pla (Morgan-Nissan) – 13 laps
7 Baguette/Gonzalez/Plowman (Morgan-Nissan) – 13 laps
8 Graves/Kerr/Dolby (Oreca-Nissan) – 14 laps
9 Lux/Shulzhitskiy/Wirdheim (Zytek-Nissan) – 15 laps
10 Cheng/Ihara/Nicolet (Morgan-Nissan) – 18 laps

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

Audi R8 LMS Cup: Mortara takes pole as Yoong crashes in Macau qualifying

By Johan Laubscher

The finale of the Audi R8 LMS Cup is taking place on the streets of Macau this weekend. A total of twenty Audi R8 LMS cars are taking part in the event.

The championship title fight was the big news this weekend. Alex Yoong arrived at Macau as the championship points leader, leading ahead of Adderly Fong and Marchy Lee. A number of additional drivers also took part this weekend, headlined by the return of “Mr Macau” Edoardo Mortara in the #5 BRT Audi R8 LMS. Mortara will be taking part in the Macau GT Cup next weekend, an event which he had won in 2011 and 2012. He has been untouchable so far this weekend, as he dominated practice and took pole position.

Qualifying saw pole for Mortara, followed by Andre Couto and Adderly Fong. Audi Sport factory driver, Rahel Frey, qualified in eighth place.

Alex Yoong suffered a massive crash during qualifying. Yoong has thankfully been reported as unharmed, but his car is wrecked and he is out for the weekend. A video of the crash has been embedded below:

This has thrown the championship wide open, as Alex Yoong only has a 24 point lead over Adderly Fong in the standings. All will be to play for tomorrow. The results from qualifying can be seen below:

The race will be taking place tomorrow morning, scheduled for 10:10 am local time in Macau. Live stream video coverage will be available at the official Audi R8 LMS Cup website HERE.

Photo credit:  
Audi R8 LMS Cup
Hideki Francis Onda on twitter

FIA WEC: Duval/Kristensen/McNish World Champions with Audi

Audi Press Release

•          First World Champion’s title for each of the three drivers
•          Three strong personalities with an international profile
•          Dream year of the World Champions includes Le Mans victory

Ingolstadt, November 9, 2013 – Loïc Duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish have won the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Audi. This is what you should know about the new World Champions.

Did you know that...

... Loïc Duval and his wife Gaëlle, whom he married in September, and son Hugo recently moved to Geneva?

... the Audi factory driver, together with French Soccer World Champions Bicente Lizarazu and Christian Karembeu, played in a charity soccer match in October?

... Tom Kristensen has been having the names of his children, Oliver Victor, Carla Malou and Oswald William, painted on the sides of his helmet since 2007? The back of the helmet shows the word ‘Videre,’ a Danish expression that means ‘carry on,’ which his father Carl Erik often used.

... Allan McNish, since the beginnings of his racing career in karting in 1981, has been wearing helmets with the Scottish Hunting MacInnes Tartan on them?

... Allan McNish’s motto is: “Always go flat out?”

... the favorite track of Allan McNish is Suzuka?

... all three drivers, on taking the WEC title, have won a World Champion’s title in motorsport for the first time in their careers?

... the trio has clinched the tenth World Champion’s title for Audi? The company’s track record reflects the 1982 and 1984 manufacturers’ World Rally Championship, the 1983 and 1984 drivers’ World Rally Championship, the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in the 1995 FIA Touring Car World Cup and in the 2012 WEC, plus now in 2013.

... Allan McNish is the first ever Scottish World Endurance Champion and the first British World Endurance Champion in 21 years?

... Allan McNish is the first Scotsman since Colin McRae in the 1995 season to have won a World Champions’ title in car racing?

... Tom Kristensen, on Audi’s first sports car success in March 2000 at the Sebring 12 Hours, was sitting in the winning car as well as in 2013 at Austin when the 100th LMP triumph was achieved?

... Allan McNish likes Japanese food best, Tom Kristensen likes Thai, Italian and Sushi dishes and Loïc Duval prefers the Italian cuisine?

... this year’s success at Le Mans marked the ninth one for Tom Kristensen, the third for Allan McNish and the first for Loïc Duval in the legendary 24-hour race? Ten of these 13 single victories have been celebrated with Audi.

... Kyle Wilson-Clarke, the British race engineer of the trio, achieved his first Le Mans victory and his first WEC title this year?

... Loïc Duval has been driving for Audi for two years whereas Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish both competed under the symbol of the four rings for the first time in 2000? Kristensen is now driving for the squad from Germany for the 14th consecutive year. McNish drove in Formula 1 between 2001 and 2003 and therefore is experiencing his eleventh season with Audi.

... Allan McNish, from the Audi R8R, to the R8, the R10 TDI, R15 TDI, R18 TDI and the R18 ultra through to the R18 e-tron Quattro, has driven all Audi sports prototypes in races?

... McNish and Kristensen have driven sports prototypes as well as DTM touring cars for Audi?

... Tom Kristensen additionally contested a race in the Audi R8 LMS ultra GT3 sports car?

... Tom Kristensen wanted to become a bank manager as a child?

... the Dane enjoys playing golf?

... he is the first Danish World Champion in car racing?

... Loïc Duval has a snake phobia?

... The Frenchman always puts on his left racing shoe first?

... Duval, like Kristensen, loves soccer?

... he would have loved to have met Steve McQueen?

... Duval is inspired by tennis player Roger Federer?

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

Australian GT: Podium for Rod Salmon/MPC Audi in Highlands NZ race 2

By Tarek Ramchani

Highlands Motorsport Park in New-Zealand hosted today the final race of the season in Australian GT Championship. Rod Salmon/MPC victorious yesterday in race 1 performed again very well in race 2.

The #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra showed again strong performances in a demanding Aussie GT field. The car shared by car-owner Rod Salmon and Liam Talbot finished in third place at the end of the 40-minute sprint race. The New-Zealand round gave Rod Salmon and Melbourne Performance Centre great satisfactions with an improving effort Down Under.

Unfortunately the second Audi of the field from Equity-One Motorsport did not finish the race. The red and white #71 Audi R8 LMS driven by Dean Koutsoumdis and Andrew McInnes retired after 13 laps into the race.

Race win went to the #7 Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3 ahead of the #1 Porsche 997 GT3. Race 2 results can be seen here.

Highlights from race two can be watched below. Video produced by Other Side Productions:

Photo credit: Australian GT 

Follow the 6 Hours of Shanghai LIVE

Round seven of the FIA World Endurance Championship is in China this weekend, for the Six Hours of Shanghai. Two Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars have been entered by Audi Sport Team Joest. The Audi squad will be facing off against two Toyota TS030 Hybrid entries. Toyota #7 took pole position, ahead of Audi #1 in second, Toyota #8 in third and Audi #2 rounding out the top four.

It should be another great race and we have included a list of links below with which you will be able to follow the race live. 

Live Video Stream
FIA WEC Live Video Stream
Audi-Motorsport.com Live Video Stream

Live Audio
Radio Le Mans Link

Live Timing

Live Timing Video Link

Spotter Guide 
Spotter Guide Link
Andy Blackmore Spotter Guides website

Websites

FIA WEC website

Facebook

Official Audi Sport on Facebook
FIA WEC on Facebook
Audi Motorsport Blog on Facebook

Twitter

Official Audi Sport on twitter
FIA WEC on twitter
Audi Motorsport Blog on twitter
l'endurance on twitter
John Dagys on twitter
Jake Yorath on twitter
Jarryd Bermingham on twitter

Audi Team

Official Audi Sport on Facebook
Joest Racing on Facebook

Audi Drivers
Andre Lotterer on twitter
Marcel Fässler on Facebook
Benoit Treluyer on Facebook
Benoit Treluyer on twitter
Allan McNish on Facebook
Allan McNish on twitter
Tom Kristensen on Facebook
Loic Duval on twitter

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

Tralier park trash wedding.....

Jessica Simpson has decided,

not to invite her father.

To her upcoming wedding to Eric Johnson.

As she is a frain that he will,

either bring a male companion.

Or cause a fight with his ex wife, 

or worse both.

Jessica he's going to turn up anyway.

GOOD LUCK.

FIA WEC: Audi on front row at Shanghai

Audi Press Release

•          Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer miss first place by 0.089 seconds
•          Duval/Kristensen/McNish on second row
•          Fässler beats last year’s record by 261 thousandths of a second

Ingolstadt/Shanghai, November 8, 2013 – In a qualifying session that was thrilling up to the last seconds, a ‘string’ broke for Audi at the seventh round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in China. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro had been unbeaten in qualifying since May. Now the score in the battle with challenger Toyota is 5-2 for Audi.

Car number ‘1’ was clearly the faster one of the two Audi hybrid sports cars in qualifying at Shanghai. Marcel Fässler was the first driver to go out. On the average of his two fastest laps, he achieved the second-best time, trailing Toyota driver Alexander Wurz by a gap of 0.432 seconds. On his fastest lap, he even beat last year’s qualifying lap record by 261 thousandths. When Benoît Tréluyer followed Fässler, the Frenchman reduced the gap to the front runner on the average of his first two laps to 0.217 seconds. As Tréluyer was forced to run behind in traffic on his first outing, he pitted to refuel and to start another trial on the used tires, subsequently managing to set his personal best lap time of 1m 48.091s. Last year’s World Champion thereby reduced his gap to the number ‘7’ Toyota to 0.089 seconds and just barely missed grid position one together with his team-mates. With that, a string of five consecutive best times in WEC qualifying sessions came to an end for Audi.

In the number ‘2’ Audi R18 e-tron quattro, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen on the average of the four fastest times achieved 1m 49.173s. Therefore, the leaders of the standings will be starting from the second row alongside the number ‘8’ Toyota. The grid positions, though, tend to be of secondary importance in the 6-hour race in the Chinese metropolis. The crucial aspects on the rough tarmac and in the tight combinations of turns are to tactically manage the race well and to treat the tires gently, as temperatures of clearly above 20 degrees centigrade are expected on Saturday.

The beginning of the seventh race of eight World Championship rounds is scheduled for 11:00 local time (4:00 CET). The race can be watched on the internet by live streaming on www.audi-motorsport.com and www.fiawec.com. Additionally, a 100-minute TV broadcast on Eurosport starts in Germany on Saturday at 8:35.

Quotes after qualifying

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “We knew that qualifying would be very hard for us here because this track doesn’t suit us particularly well. But we showed that we’re really battling all the way to the end. Ben (Tréluyer) ultimately showed a fantastic lap. The prerequisites for the race are difficult. We’ve got no advantage in terms of lap times and, on top of that, a disadvantage due to the smaller tank capacity. But six hours is a long time and the whole squad will give everything in order to clinch a good result.”

Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): “We saw a thrilling qualifying session in which we tried everything all the way up until the end. The characteristics of the track here at Shanghai are some of the most difficult ones of the whole season for us and despite this we’re on an equal footing with our competitors. This confirms our solid preparation. For the race, we’re expecting a fierce battle for victory.”

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “That was an interesting qualifying session. The Toyota initially set a strong time. Ben (Tréluyer) was very strong but was a bit unfortunate in traffic and had to pit again in order to get some fuel. Congratulations to Toyota, who are in front for the time being. But we’re going to give them a good battle tomorrow. In the case of our number ‘2’ car, things didn’t go so well. We’ve got to take a closer look at that. Now we’re going to perfectly prepare the two cars for the race.”

Marcel Fässler (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “We almost took the pole position, there was really just a tiny bit lacking. Ben (Tréluyer) drove brilliantly, the whole team did a superb job of preparing the car. I may have been a bit too ambitious on my fast laps but, still, we’ve got a good starting base for the race.”

André Lotterer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “That was a nice qualifying session in which we battled all the way to the end. Ben (Tréluyer) did a great job even though it wasn’t quite enough in the end. On his second fast lap, he hit a bit of traffic. It was close but we’re looking to the race with optimism.”

Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #1): “It was a close qualifying session and a nice battle with Toyota. We worked out a good set-up today, which helped us a lot. I hit traffic twice on my fast laps but that’s part of the game. We’ve got a good car for the race tomorrow.”

Loïc Duval (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “I was struggling a bit this afternoon but, still, it was fun watching the guys battle for the pole position. Our fourth place on the grid is perfectly okay for such a long race. Naturally, we’d prefer being further in front but things like dense traffic are part and parcel of a WEC qualifying session. Congratulations to Toyota, but also to our sister car.”

Tom Kristensen (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “I’m not happy with qualifying. I always had a lot of traffic on my three laps. But now we’re looking to tomorrow. In the practice sessions we worked out a few things that should be helping us in the race. That’s what we mainly concentrated on.”

Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2): “That was a pretty difficult qualifying session. Our second free practice wasn’t optimal, so we weren’t perfectly prepared for qualifying. In terms of lap times, the car is very fast. But our biggest issue is treating the tires well across the distance.”

Qualifying results

1 Lapierre/Wurz (Toyota) 1m 48.013 s
2 Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 48.102s
3 Buemi/Davidson/Sarrazin (Toyota) 1m 48.694s
4 Duval/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) 1m 49.173s
5 Beche/Belicchi/Prost (Lola-Toyota) 1m 51.204s
6 Conway/Martin/Rusinov (Oreca-Nissan) 1m 55.423s
7 Brundle/Heinemeier Hansson/Pla (Morgan-Nissan) 1m 56.210s
8 Kimber-Smith/Lux/Shulzhitckiy (Zytek-Nissan) 1m 56.219s
9 Baguette/Gonzalez/Plowman (Morgan-Nissan) 1m 56.243s
10 Dolby/Graves/Kerr (Oreca-Nissan) 1m 56.284s

Photo credit: Audi Sport Communication / Media

Superstars: All goods things go by three - Audi Sport Italia Superstars season yields three crowns

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

All goods things go by three

Audi Sport Italia Superstars season yields three crowns

SEASON REVIEW

Fresh off a 2012 Superstars season that bolstered Johan Kristoffersson's three-title chase, the search for a name as favourite to succeed the incumbent was easy. Apparently it takes an RS 5 to win in the series for V8 tin-tops: Audis won half of the available races last year and things remained the same in 2013 as RS 5s picked nine of the 18 rounds. The outcome was that Italy’s Gianni Morbidelli achieved his own second International-Italian double to add to the four other honours he had already racked up in the series run by Rome-based promoter Maurizio Flammini. From 2007 on the former F.1 driver had claimed three Italians crowns and one International one, therefore the successes he celebrated in October make him the sole driver able to repeat in the International-Italian points standings.

17 Top3 finishes for Audi drivers --nine of those translating into wins-- may well mislead into thinking that the Audi camp enjoyed a smooth ride. On contrary 2013 started on the back foot for Audi Sport Italia, as Morbidelli struggled early on with quick circuits and a string of retirements. After six rounds Audis had picked no wins whatsoever and Morbidelli was lying fifth in the tables, and Emilio Radaelli's staff undertook a thorough review of the car weaknesses, especially focusing on tweaks to drivetrain details. By mid-summer the Audi squad was beginning to see the light. AMG Mercedes’ joyride, which had propelled Thomas Biagi, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Gigi Ferrara to the top with only BMW’s Giovanni Berton hindering their charge came to a end at Zolder. In Belgium Morbidelli and sensation guest star Laurens Vanthoor were handed the quickest RS 5s seen throughout the season, as the promoter took off a chunk of ballast and let Audis run their 2012 ride height. Relying on sheer car speed and swiftness Morbidelli and Vanthoor dominated the opposition and the former title bid was re-launched for good.

The promoter in a U-turn rolled back the measures that had given wings to Audis, but the Italian team was looking forward to a host of venues friendly to four-wheel-driven cars: the schedule helped Morbidelli to barrel ahead of any Balance Of Performance provision that was thrown at him. Although the car did not appear to handle the challenge with ease on Saturdays, as performance-wise the measures upheld took a toll on speed, the Audi camp had learned to bid its time and overcome the lack of performance with better endurance, getting the upper hand by way of superior braking and handling and less tyre wear. Stats provide a telling guide to the split between Audi results on Saturday and on Sundays: whilst RS 5s claimed two pole positions, eleven fastest laps were posted. An approach that yielded four successive wins for Morbidelli, who after the fifth victory at Donington Park was sitting on top of the standings level on points with Thomas Biagi.

Wresting the lead from AMG Mercedes’ driver for good was another story, though, as the Imola meeting loomed and a further BOP measure forced Audi Sport Italia to go to the quick and historic venue with an engine massively choked by a skimpy air restrictor. AMG Mercedes C63s looked set to keep the field at arm's length there and even more so the RS 5s. But events were to swing in Audi's favour: on Sunday Morbidelli put the Camozzi-liveried RS 5 back in its accustomed position in rain-soaked races,  even forcing Biagi to go scoreless after a late-race mistake and piling up a 33-point lead that enabled him to comfortably grab the International crown at Vallelunga, as Andrea Larini made a winning debut in the RS 5. Morbidelli was back to winning ways in a fortnight at Franciacorta, adding the domestic title to the International one at the expenses of Liuzzi, who had led the tables before the decider. Ermanno Dionisio came back to the series posting two podium finishes. The Italian series -- which predated the International -- was made up of races staged at domestic venues, plus Algarve.

Audi Sport Italia, besides boosting Morbidelli to two drivers’ titles, also picked the Teams’ trophy, as the aftermath of a protest lodged at Donington Park against Mercedes AMG Romeo Ferraris is ultimately winding down in favor of the Novara-based outfit, confirming the Superstars’ rule of three, as far as Audi titles are concerned.

INT.N'L SUPERSTARS SERIES (Top5)*:

1. GIANNI MORBIDELLI (AUDI) 235 points;

2. Giovanni Berton (BMW) 192 pts.;

3. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Mercedes AMG) 159 pts.;

4. Thomas Biagi (Mercedes AMG) 138 pts.;

5.  Gigi Ferrara (Mercedes AMG) 127 pts.

CAMPIONATO ITALIANO SUPERSTARS(Top5):

1. GIANNI MORBIDELLI (AUDI) 170 points;

2. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Mercedes AMG) 158 pts.;

3. Giovanni Berton (BMW) 83 pts.;

4. Thomas Biagi (Mercedes AMG) 76 pts.;

5.  Gigi Ferrara (Mercedes AMG) 59 pts.

SUPERSTARS TEAM TROPHY (Top5)*:

1. AUDI SPORT ITALIA 330 points;

2. BMW Team Dinamic 306 pts.;

3. Mercedes-AMG Romeo Ferraris 297 pts.;

4. Roma Racing Team 127 pts.;

5.  CAAL Racing 104 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia