Last week’s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona weekend marked the first round for 2018 of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. This particular series includes the Audi R8 LMS GT4 and the RS 3 LMS built to TCR spec. It featured the most Audis ever fielded in a professional level American race. It also marked a strong first showing for these many Audi supported teams including a TCR Class victory by Compass Racing.
The most news making announcement surrounding the Continental series 4-hour starter was the addition of an all-female lineup in an R8 GT4 fielded by GMG Racing. American Ashley Freiberg was paired with Polish native and Audi TT Cup ace Gosia Rdest, fielding a freshly arrived R8 LMS GT4 featuring a familiar vintage Audi livery. The team met challenges on track by being spun once by a Ford Mustang, or later challenged again with a technical difficulty in the pits, their pace was dominant and could have had them in contention for the win. This dominant showing is a very positive outcome as Audi and GMG weigh the potential for a full-season effort for the pair.
Not surprisingly, Audi Club North America was also part of the event. Whether it be a big percentage of those attending the Audi Motorsport Experience hospitality program, the many cars that made up the Audi Owner Corral, or even members of the club such as Don Istook who took to the circuit in his own Audi RS 3 LMS complete with Audi Club markings.
For more information on the race, check out Audi of America’s press release HERE. Also, see hundreds of photos shot by Audi Club North America of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge activities in the gallery below.
