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WEC Shanghai
World Endurance Championship visits Audi's largest market
That's China, by the way -- and Audi is ready to attack Shanghai.
Edited: Oct 27, 2014, 4:13 PM
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The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is wound up to a high pitch. Within the space of three weeks, sports car fans have been thrilled by the lead in the manufacturers championship changing twice. Following two one-two victories in succession, Audi had taken the top spot in the standings at the season's midpoint. Although the brand had to relinquish its lead in the race in Japan, it remains in striking distance of the leader of the standings.
Now, the World Championship decision is coming to a head, as the sixth of eight WEC races is on the agenda at Shanghai on November 2.
The brand with the four rings is separated by merely eight points from leader of the standings Toyota in the manufacturers classification, while the brands advantage over the third-placed brand, Porsche, is 66 points. A total of 132 points are yet to be awarded until the finale. The WEC round in China has special significance for Audi for several reasons. The track is regarded as very challenging, the team achieved victory there last year, and the Middle Kingdom has evolved into the largest sales market for AUDI AG. In China, the company delivered 415,704 automobiles between January and September, 16 percent more than a year ago. Audi operates production sites in the cities of Changchun and Foshan.
Unique track
Its extreme configuration makes this race track unique. The Shanghai International Circuit features the longest corners in the motorsport world in the form of helical bends. In addition, the sequence of several long straights, interrupted by very narrow turns, results in a downright stop-and-go rhythm that provides good overtaking opportunities.
A year ago, the brand with the four rings scored its first victory in Mainland China: Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) decided an extremely thrilling 6-hour race in the WEC in their favor with an advantage of 15.374 seconds. In addition, the brand, in 2013, recorded an early win of the drivers world championship by Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB) there. This year, the FIA WEC is more thrilling than ever before because an early decision of the title is mathematically impossible in China in the manufacturers championship and highly improbable in the drivers championship.
Audi R8 LMS Cup
The Chinese racing fans can look forward not only to seeing the two WEC sports cars from Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. On the first weekend in November, the Audi R8 LMS Cup will be held there as well. In 2012, the series was Audis first one-make cup in Asia. Thrilling close battles between the 570-hp GT race cars are guaranteed in rounds 9 and 10 of the season, as the decisive stage in the contest for the title has begun in the Cup too.
In Germany, fans can watch the final stage of the WEC race live on Sunday, November 2, from 8.30 to 10.00 on the TV channel Eurosport. Audi will be providing reports about all practice and qualifying sessions and the race on Facebook (AudiSport), Twitter (@Audi__Sport), and a news ticker at www.audi-motorsport.info and on the Audi Sport App.
Said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "The Chinese market is one of the most important ones for us on an international scale. Therefore, were committed to our claim of making a successful appearance there in motorsport as well. A year ago, we managed to decide the round at Shanghai in our favor with a very good showing and a strong team performance, although the track doesnt suit our race car concept particularly well. This year, were again going to leave no stone unturned to achieve a good result."
Chris Reinke (Head of LMP): "The WEC race at Shanghai has a special significance for us. China as a market has long become something like a second home for Audi. As were always received with open arms, were traveling there with great enthusiasm. Even though the prerequisites are anything but easy, were set on battling for the top spot like last year."
Ralf Jüttner (Team Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "Although Shanghai wasnt easy for us in the past season, we won. In the second half of the race in changing track conditions and with clever tire management we were able to turn the tide in our favor. That was a sensational success and gives us tremendous motivation this year."
Audi drivers are Lucas di Grassi, Lois Duval and Tom Kristensen in the number 1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro, and Marcel Fässler, André Lottererand Benoît Tréluyer in the number 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro, who said: "At Shanghai in 2013, we made a strong showing. The pace was right. Now wed like to continue that, even though we know that this is no mean feat because the track doesnt suit our current car. In the battle for the title, the crucial stage is coming up now. Of course were going to give everything to come home with trophies." He was the fastest driver there last year.
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