Audi R8 LMS Cup to debut in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI– The Audi R8 LMS Cup has announced Abu Dhabi as the location for the 2014 season finale. The Audi R8 LMS Cup is the first Audi one-make sprint race series in the world and has its home base in China.

Rounds 11 and 12, which conclude the sprint race series this year, will be held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on December 12-13, alongside the Gulf 12 Hours race.

The series was introduced in China and has gained vast popularity amongst racing fans in Asia and all over the world. Now the series is having its debut in the Middle East. “Audi brings a new quality of motorsports to the Middle East”, says Trevor Hill, Managing Director of Audi Middle East. “Motorsport is in the DNA of every Audi and with the Audi R8 LMS Cup we’re able to show the technical abilities of our cars on the race track”, he continues.

24 models of the GT3 customer racing car compete against each other in the series. The car boasts a V10 engine with 560 horsepower and a lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum. 12 races over six race weekends will take place in 2014. Internationally, the Audi R8 LMS (which stands for Le Mans Series) has already scored more than 100 victories.

“The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi with its state-of-the-art facilities right next to the seashore is an excellent location for our 2014 season finale. With the addition of Abu Dhabi, all our races this season will be on Formula 1 circuits. The series’ debut in the Middle East continues the expansion of the Cup in Asia and will be an exciting experience for all drivers, teams and fans,” says Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

Four titles will be hotly contested in Abu Dhabi: The Audi R8 LMS Cup overall title, a category for amateur drivers (Am Cup), and one for teams. Furthermore a “Four Rings Trophy” for regional Audi teams and dealerships is also up for grabs.

With six races to go, at least four drivers can score the driver’s championship. After Round 6, Alex Yoong tops the overall standings with 84 points, followed by Rahel Frey (82 points), “Franky” Cheng Congfu  (79 points) and André Couto (75 points). In the amateur category, Steven Lin leads with 142 points, ahead of Ashraff Dewal (88 points) and Jacky Yeung (75 points).

The driver line-up of the Audi R8 LMS Cup is impressive: Amongst others former Macao GP winner André Couto and two of the Asia’s hottest young talents: 2013 Formula Masters China Series winner, Aidan Wright from Australia, and Matt Solomon from Hong Kong compete against former  DTM driver, Rahel Frey from Switzerland. Reigning champion Adderly Fong from Hong Kong, former Formula One driver Alex Yoong from Malaysia, 2012 champion Marchy Lee, and Chinese motorsport star “Franky” Cheng Congfu, will all race for the title in Abu Dhabi in December. Alongside the racing professionals, the cup features a healthy mix of ambitious amateur drivers.

Founded in China in 2012, the Audi R8 LMS Cup first visited Malaysia and South Korea in 2013. 2014 marks the debut of the series in Japan and now in the Middle East is added to the calendar and will be the fitting location for the dramatic final.

2014 Audi R8 LMS Cup Calendar

May 17-18 – Korea International Circuit, Yeongam, South Korea (with GT Asia)

July 26-27 – Fuji International Speedway, Fuji, Japan (with Super Taikyu)

Aug 16-17 – Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Malaysia (with GT Asia)

Oct 18-19 – Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China (with Sports Car Champions Festival, SCCF)

Oct 31-Nov 02 – Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China (with World Endurance Championship)

Dec 12-13 – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi (with Gulf 12 Hours)