Audi R8 LMS to defend its Bathurst title

Australia will be the next stage for Audi's quest to conquer all in its title-defending fight at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

The Audi R8 LMS celebrated a one-two result on the legendary Australian race track at the beginning of the 2011 season. This year, Team Phoenix Racing as well is set on battling for overall victory with two R8 LMS cars.

A kangaroo and a spider: The two Audi R8 LMS from Phoenix Racing unmistakably stand for Australia’s wildlife. The black GT3 race car designated as number “1” displays the typical yellow road sign with the marsupial on its flanks. And the graphics of the white number “2” show a Redback spider and its web.

Mark Eddy, the current Australian GT Champion in the Audi R8 LMS, is sharing the cockpit of car number “2” with Australia’s touring car legend, the three-time V8 Supercar Champion Craig Lowndes, and Warren Luff. Lowndes set the fastest race lap last year in the Audi R8 LMS, Luff achieved the fastest time in qualifying.

Two of the three winners from last year – the German Christopher Mies and Darryl O’Young from Hong Kong – are at the wheel of car number “1.” Their new teammate Christer Jöns (Germany) is making his debut in Australia.

For Phoenix Racing, the fifth continent is new territory as well whereas the field of “endurance racing” is not. The German team proved its marathon qualities by achieving two overall victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and one at the Spa 24 Hours as well as numerous other podium places and class victories. In addition, Ernst Moser’s squad that has been part of the program from day one and a longstanding partner of quattro GmbH knows the R8 LMS inside and out.

A total of 33 cars will be on the grid, including an Audi R8 LMS from United Autosports. For the fans and the drivers, the 6.213-kilometer race track at Mount Panorama is a dream. The roller-coaster circuit features a 170-meter vertical difference, includes 23 turns, makes for high suspense with its unusual radii and barriers close to the track and is considered the home of Australian motorsport. It is also the venue of the annual Bathurst 1000 race which Craig Lowndes has decided in his favor as many as five times.

Fans around the world can watch the qualifying sessions and the race via live streaming provided by the organizer at www.audi.tv