Front Row Lock-Out for California 8 Hours

Audi locked-out the front row on the 19-car grid for tomorrow’s inaugural California 8 Hours at Laguna Seca (15 Oct). The factory-supported Audi Sport Team Land and Audi Sport Team Magnus Audi R8 LMS cars duelled for pole-position in today’s 15mins “Pole Shootout”.

Ultimately Christopher Haase (D), who shares the Audi Sport Team Land R8 LMS with Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Christopher Mies (D), clocked the quickest time in the dying moments (1min 23.961secs). Markus Winkelhock (D) set the second fastest time (1:24.156s) around the undulating 3.6-kilometer circuit nestling in the picturesque scenery of Monterey County. He drives the Audi Sport Team Magnus R8 LMS with Pierre Kaffer (D) and Kelvin van der Linde (SA).

Three Audi Sport customer teams compete for honours in the third round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge with the private Belgian Audi Club Team WRT entry missing out on making it an Audi 1-2-3 by a mere 0.003secs. Robin Frijns (NED), who shares the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT R8 LMS with Jake Dennis (GB) and Stuart Leonard (GB), was fourth fastest time (1:24.497s).

Haase reflected: “The Audi was absolutely mega – it was spot on for a single qualifying lap. While it will be impossible to match my qually time in the race, I am certain that we have a very good car for the race. All three drivers feel comfortable in the car. I expect a fast, close and intense race.”

The California 8 Hours will see GT3 category cars challenging for outright honours but also features GT4 and Invitational class cars. The race is scheduled to start at 0915.