Audi R8 Grand-Am to debut at Daytona 24 Hours’ 50th staging
By Julybien, 25 Jan, 2012. 0 Comments
Audi R8 Grand-Am
The Audi R8 GRAND-AM will debut on the 50th season of the Daytona 24 Hours, scheduled on January 26-29. Two customer teams, the APR Motorsport and Oryx Racing, have chosen the Audi R8 GRAND-AM as their entries for the GT class of the endurance classic. The event, which has been running since 1962, is considered one of the finest in international motorsport. The “Rolex 24 at Daytona” has featured on its podium some of the greatest racers in history, including Jacky Ickx, Hans Herrmann, Hurley Haywood, A. J. Foyt, and Derek Bell. The founder of the Audi Sport Team Joest, Reinhold Joest, also won a classic race in Florida. Mike Rockenfeller, Audi’s current factory driver, has also won a classic but it was with an American team.
The 50th running of the classics is expected to be a bash, with organizers planning numerous events during the race. Audience will be treated to a champions party with numerous racing legends, an exhibition of historic overall-winning cars, autograph sessions and pit walks. Audience could also go to the carnival complete with a Ferris Wheel, or join a 5-kilometre run on the race track. "We are proud to be part of the action for the first time at the event’s special anniversary," said Werner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH, which has developed the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. Frowein said they are currently in negotiations with other buyers who wish to field the R8 GRAND-AM in the classics. After Daytona, the R8 GRAND-AM will also be seen at the other 12 rounds of the GRAND-AM series, said Frowein, adding that Audi of America will directly support customers in the future.
"Entering the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series is the biggest challenge APR Motorsport has taken on so far," emphasises Stephen Hooks, President of APR. "Our team prepared for this step at previous runs in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. APR is known around the world as one of the leading tuners of Audi, Volkswagen, Seat and Škoda vehicles. We’re looking forward to the Audi R8 GRAND-AM with huge anticipation, our customers and fans are really excited and since the ‘Roar before the 24’ test we’ve just been dying for the 24-hour race to start."
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