Audi Sport to start 2018 season in the U.S.A and Australia

Two weeks following the one-two win in the 24-hour race in Dubai, the new Audi R8 LMS GT4 will now be racing in the U.S.A The audience there will get to see the customer sport race car for the first time in the traditional opening round of the IMSA Series at Daytona from 27^th to 28^th January. Just one week later, on 4^th February, the Intercontinental GT Challenge will kick off in Australia.

With its product offensive Audi Sport customer racing is strengthening its presence in international motor racing.

"While motorsport in many series is still at rest at the beginning of the year our customers are already racing in three international events," says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing.

As part of the supporting program of the iconic 24-hour race, spectators can expect to see a strong field and thrilling battles in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. TCR race cars are admitted for the first time.

Five teams from Audi Sport customer racing's circle are fielding a total of seven Audi RS3 LMS. In the GS class, three Audi R8 LMS GT4 cars, distributed to two teams, are making their debut. Both classes are contesting a joint four-hour race.

In Australia, Audi will be battling for overall victory seven days later. In 2011 and 2012, customer teams supported by Audi Sport customer racing won the 12-hour classic on the Bathurst race track with the Audi R8 LMS. The challenging roller coaster circuit 200km west of Sydney will open the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge.

Rounds in Europe, Asia and the U.S.A complete the calendar. Audi in 2016 and 2017 was the overall winner in the drivers' and manufacturers' classifications. This year, the four rings are tackling the defense of both titles.