History-making success for Audi in 24 Hours of Spa

Record-breaking manufacturer Audi, with long-standing tyre partner Michelin, made another piece of endurance racing history at the world famous Spa-Francorchamps Circuit on Sunday (29 July) by winning the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa – part of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Not only did the German marque secure victory and the runner-up spot with a pair of R8 LMS Ultras, first place going to the Team Phoenix line-up of Andrea Piccini, René Rast and Frank Stippler, the win also meant Audi has won three 24 Hour races in just 71 days!

Therefore, Audi has become the only manufacturer in history to win the three most important 24 Hour races in Europe – at Spa, the Nurburgring in Germany and, of course, Le Mans.

“Winning three 24-hour races within just 71 days is another milestone in the successful motorsport history of our company”, said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, “The field at Spa was unique and enormously competitive. There were more than 20 vehicles in contention for victory.”

The No.16 Team Phoenix entry of Piccini, Rast and Stippler won by a lap ahead of the Audi Sport Team WRT car piloted by Christopher Haase, Christopher Mies and Stephane Ortelli. In third place, two and half minutes behind the second of the Audis, was the Vita4One BMW Z4 of Greg Franchi, Mathias Lauda – son of Formula One legend Niki – and Frank Kechele.

The penultimate round of the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series will take place at the Nurburgring over the weekend 22/23 September.