Audi has announced plans to enter the 61st running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida (March 16th) with their R18 e-tron quattro.
Audi has won Sebring 10 times in the past 13 years. “It looks like this may be the last opportunity to compete with an LMP1 car at Sebring,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We’d really like to use this chance and say goodbye to the fans with a nice showing after our fantastic success story in recent years.”
This may not have to be a final farewell, though. In 2014, the GRAND-AM Series and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón will merge to form a new North American Sports Car Championship that might be of interest to Audi.
“We are thrilled by the news of Audi’s confirmed plans to race at Sebring,” stated American Le Mans Series President & CEO Scott Atherton. “Over the past decade no manufacturer has had more success at Sebring than Audi and it will be fitting tribute to have an R18 e-tron quattro competing in what will be the last ALMS race at Sebring. I want to personally thank Wolfgang Durheimer (head of VW Group Motorsports), Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (head of Audi Sport) and Scott Keogh (President Audi of America) – without their involvement this wouldn’t have happened. The 61st running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida was going to be an outstanding event regardless, but with an Audi P1 in the race – it just got better.”
“Audi’s entry continues the momentum toward a great race in 2013,” stated Sebring Raceway President & GM Tres Stephenson. “Next year is shaping up to be a classic- the GT entries heading to Sebring include Corvette, Ferrari, Aston Martin, BMW, Lotus, Porsche and Dodge Viper – perhaps the finest field of GT cars ever entered at Sebring.”