Created last winter by Yves Weerts, Vincent Vosse and René Verbist, the new Belgian team W Racing Team will commit not less than three Audi R8 LMS in the next Total 24 Hours of Spa. In addition to pilots familiar with the team, WRT count in its ranks Frank Biela, Stephane Ortelli and Frank Stipple.
The Total 24 Hours of Spa is one of the essential tests of endurance. An appointment as W Racing Team did not necessarily fail. On Saturday, July 31, the Belgian team will present three Audi R8 LMS on the starting grid for the biggest race in the world for GT cars.
To control the superb German GT, W Racing Team will rely on the crews of choice. The twelve pilots are planned in effect already confirmed. “We know the eight drivers who will share the first two cars, those that are officially supported by Total, Audi Import and the Belgian Audi Club,” said Vincent Vosse, the team manager.
The story of Frank Biela is intimately linked to Audi. Official driver of the mark on the rings since 1991, the German co-wrote with her all the lines of a glowing track record of no less than five victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, the two crowns in the American Le Mans Series and DTM titles and the championships of France and Great Britain Touring Car. Pilot development of the Audi R8 LMS, Frank will be a significant advantage in the game of WRT.
Although he has not spent his entire career at Audi, Stephane Ortelli well known brand on the rings and the Audi R8 driver that LMS including France GT Championship. At the 24 Hours of Spa, Monaco join WRT with the hope of catching a new result of choice after his victory in 2003. When one also remembers that Stephen had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998, there is no doubt that his experience and his speed will bring more to the team.
“We’re also pleased to welcome the experienced Frank stipple”, rejoiced Vincent Vosse. “Frank knows very well the Audi R8 since LMS has provided most of the development with Frank Biela. It will certainly be an asset to have him in our team.”
The German was equally enthusiastic enough after this initial contact. “This team is still young, but shows great professionalism and great potential,” believed the former Audi driver in DTM. “There is still work focusing on the car, but it makes sense and I hope to make my contribution on this point. I rejoice in any case be at the start of the 24 Hours.”
The test-day official test was also an opportunity to confirm the exact composition of the crews who will contest the 24 Hours on the Audi R8 LMS W Racing Team. Thus, Frank join stipple there on # 72 Frank Biela and fellow Belgians Gregory Franchi and Vincent Vosse. On # 73, Belgian Stephane Lémeret, Kurt Mollekens and Francois Verbist receive a reinforcement of choice with the former winner Stephane Ortelli.
The third R8 LMS W Racing Team – The # 74 – David French Tuchbant addition, WRT driver championship in France, we find behind the wheel Belgian Christian Kelders and the French Jean-Luc Kerry, both seen on Audi WRT when tested in Belcar prologue BTCS 12 Hours of Spa. This trio of gentlemen-drivers in the best sense, can count on the support of the former two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Spa, Frederic Bouvy. Either a crew that could also have its say in a place of honor after two clock towers, Sunday August 1 at the end of the afternoon!
- Belgian Audi Club
