> Four R8 LMS GT3s for Intercontinental season finale
Three of Audi’s four Kyalami 9 Hour entries will feature South Africa-inspired liveries at the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli season finale on December 10-12.
The former champions, who lie third in this year’s standings, have also revealed the three factory line-ups and two teams representing them in South Africa.
Home favourite Kelvin van der Linde shares one of two Audi Sport Team WRT entries with Dries Vanthoor and Marcus Winkelhock who lies nine points off the Drivers’ Championship lead. The Belgian squad’s second works R8 LMS GT3 features Frédéric Vervisch, Mirko Bortolotti and 2020 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup champion, Charles Weerts.
Audi Sport Team Car Collection will run a third factory car for Mattia Drudi, Christopher Haase and Patric Niederhauser, as well as another customer entry whose drivers will be confirmed shortly. The German outfit finished second at the Nurburgring 24 Hours earlier this year and also oversees Audis in its native ADAC GT Masters series.
“The varied circuit in South Africa has prepared an exciting race for us and also marks the finale of a demanding season in the IntGTC in 2020,” said Audi Sport boss, Chris Reinke. “We are third position in the manufacturers’ classification and are doing our utmost to improve our position.”
Audi celebrated the Kyalami 9 Hour’s revival 12 months ago by running two liveries inspired by the art of South Africa. Now, it has taken the concept to another level by bedecking its three factory cars in even more eye-catching colours and patterns.
While all four cars are eligible to score Intercontinental GT Challenge points at Kyalami, only the two best-placed finishers will do so. As such, Audi can still claim the Manufacturers’ Championship but must win the race to have any chance of overhauling current leaders, Porsche.