As we head into the final days leading up to the Bathurst 12 Hours, Team Phoenix gives us some thoughts on the weekend. It may be Team Phoenix Racing’s first time at the Bathurst 12 Hours but they are stacked. Christer Jons, Darryl O’Young and Christopher Mies will share the no1 Audi R8 LMS while Mark Eddy, Craig Lowndes and Warren Luff will drive the no2 Audi R8 LMS. Sounds familiar, right? Out of the six, only Jons was not in one of last years Team Joest R8′s that finished 1-2.
Ernst Moser (Team Director Phoenix Racing)
Our team has never run in Australia before. In addition, February as the first month of racing is very early as we normally just test at this time of year. Obviously, such a special track as Bathurst suggests a comparison with the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Bathurst has high vertical differences. The circuit with its barriers close to the track is very difficult to drive. Since the Audi R8 LMS celebrated a one-two result last year it is only natural that there are certain expectations this year. Mercedes and Ferrari will be tough rivals for us. We’ve got to be sure not to make any mistakes. quattro GmbH with its experiences from last year helped us a great deal to prepare for the event. Five of the six drivers know the track and as a team we’re intimately familiar with the Audi R8 LMS and are also at home in endurance racing. We’re reinforced by four employees from Australia who are joining our team via Mark Eddy. I’m very excited. It remains to be seen which Michelin tire compounds we’ll be allowed to use.
Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Mark Eddy (51/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2
- Won the Australian GT Championship in the Audi R8 LMS last year
- Started from pole position at Bathurst in 2011
- Is sharing the cockpit in this year’s Australian GT Championship with Warren Luff
Last year we had a nice battle between the two Audi R8 LMS. It was an exciting race all the way to the end. The car was very reliable and fast. It felt good on a wet and dry track and was easy to drive! We three Australians would now like to finish one place farther in front after the close outcome last year. But this year the competition with the international teams and even more makes in the field is even tougher.
Christer Jons (24/D), Audi R8 LMS #1
- Has known the Audi R8 LMS since 2010
- Is the only one of the six drivers to have never competed at Bathurst before
- Is arriving a week earlier in order to get used to the climate and time zone
I’m proud to be driving an Audi with Phoenix on the other side of the world! I don’t know Bathurst in real terms yet. But I’m familiar with the track from the PlayStation. Ever since my first virtual laps on this track I’ve been thrilled with Bathurst. Now the time has come for me to actually compete in the Audi R8 LMS, my absolute favorite. A dream is coming true! After three years the Audi R8 LMS is an advanced and stable car. The cornering dynamics and powerful brakes in particular will give us advantages on this winding track. I’m very excited about Australia. Our preparations in terms of track knowledge using onboard videos and our fitness training are running at full stretch. Hopefully we’ll manage to defend the title on my first run at this event.
Craig Lowndes (37/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2
- Drove the fastest race lap at Bathurst last year
- Started from the front position last year
I’m happy to be returning to Bathurst with an Audi and fighting for victory again. The battle with our team-mates a year ago was fantastic. Our driver team only missed victory by a very small margin. It’ll be great to work with Warren and Mark again. The fact that we’ve driven together before is a great help. Perhaps that’ll put us ahead of the competition a bit. I’m also looking forward to the Audi R8 LMS. The car is wonderful. On a track like Bathurst, it seems like it’s exactly made for the winding sections up on the hill. The R8 LMS is a good-natured car. It allows you to run your stints in a gentle and consistent way. The competition will even be a lot tougher this year. But it’s not a sprint. You’ve got be in contention at the end. I’m expecting good chances for the three of us being able to make that happen.
Warren Luff (35/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2
- Achieved the best time in qualifying last year
- Contested a race on the Nurburgring in the R8 LMS in May of 2011
This year the Bathurst 12 Hours will be a much tougher battle than last year. I’m expecting us to have particularly strong rivals in the Ferrari 458 and the Mercedes SLS and a thrilling fight all the way to the end. But I expect our strongest opponents to be in our own team again. And I’m particularly looking forward to the updated version of the Audi R8 LMS. I’m excited to see how it’ll feel at Bathurst.
Christopher Mies (22/D), Audi R8 LMS #1
- As 2009 FIA GT European Champion was among the first title winners in the Audi R8 LMS
- Was already driving for Ernst Moser’s team back then
- Is returning to Bathurst as last year’s winner
After the successful race last year I’m happy to be able to run again. Bathurst is always worth a visit, the country and the track are unique. The Audi was the strongest car in the field last year. quattro GmbH has continued to develop it during the season. I believe that with the Audi R8 LMS and Team Phoenix Racing we’re the strongest pairing. Yet our rivals should not be underrated. The competition is becoming bigger and tougher. Our strongest opponents will likely come from our own ranks though – our Australian team-mates. Last year, they finished barely a second behind us. So that means we’ve got to give everything throughout the 12 hours.
Darryl O’Young (31/HK), Audi R8 LMS #1
- After runs at Bathurst, the Nurburgring and Sepang has long become an expert in the Audi R8 LMS
- Is returning to Bathurst as last year’s winner
- Was nominated for the Hong Kong Sports Star Awards in January 2012
Last year we had a sensational race in the battle with our Australian team-mates. But this year we’ll have additional competitors with various makes. The Audi R8 LMS is particularly strong on the fast sections on the hill and in the braking zones. The car can display its strengths really well on this circuit. The R8 LMS is pleasant to drive, which helps on a challenging track like Mount Panorama. I met our new team-mate Christer Jons at the Audi Sport Finale in Germany in 2011. The chemistry between us three drivers was great from the outset. And I’m looking forward to Phoenix Racing. I once drove for the squad in the DTM. We’ve got all the key elements to be in contention for victory again.
