Francorchamps, August 27, 2003
5 times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen will renew his association with
the Audi R8 in which he won the ALMS in 2002 when the FIA Sportscar
Championship reaches the Belgian circuit of Spa Francorchamps at the
end of this month for round 6.
The 36 year old Danish sportscar legend teams up with Japans Seiji Ara,
himself a veteran of the R8 as the 2 men pilot the Audi Sport Japan R8
around Spa’s sinuous and classic layout.
If the inclusion of Kristensen is attracting attention, the media and the
sporting public are just as fascinated by the attempts of Jan Lammers and
his Racing for Holland team to finally set the seal on the championship
crown.
The 6th round of the FIASCC is being held over 1000kms and as such
carries double points. Mathematically the championships in both SR1 and
SR2 categories are still wide open but the absence of both Automotive
Durango and Promec Engineering will mean that 3rd and 4th team place
standings will come under pressure from Henri Pescarolo’s equipe and
British team Taurus Sports Racing.
At the top of the team standings Andy Wallace and Hayanari Shimoda will
be hoping that luck will run with them this time and against leaders Racing
for Holland, as a victory for RN Motorsports and a non finish for the Dutch
cars would bring them to within 4 points of the championship leaders with
one race left to run.
As well as the arrival of the Audi R8 into the championship a second new
SR1 team is also entered in the shape of British based Simpson
Engineering, who’s Riley & Scott makes its 2003 debut in the hands of
Belgians Armand Fumal and Geoffroy Horion.
Following a great return to the series for Team Sovereign at Donington
Park, Mike Millard and Ian Flux will be out again in the Nissan powered
Rapier 6 SR2, each hoping to better the 3rd place they took in the UK.
At the top of the standings in SR2 Lucchini Engineering continue to
dominate the championship in 2003 but the double points on offer will put
extra fire into the bellies of chasers Team Jota and GP Racing.
Back too are Swiss team Palmyr; drivers Christophe Ricard, Phillippe Favre
and Gregory Fargier bringing welcome Gallic flourish in the brightly liveried
Palmyr Lucchini SR 2002.
The FIASCC will be running together with a full entry from the British GT
Championship providing truly spectacular endurance racing.
Free practice takes place Friday 29th August, with Qualifying sessions on
Saturday 30th August. The Spa 1000km featuring the FIASCC and the
BRDC British GT Championship begins 12.50 CET.
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