Ash Samadi to debut Audi R8 LMS
Ash Samadi is set to run a brand new Audi R8 LMS in the Australian Gt Championship at the Townsville 400 next weekend, switching from a Mercedes SLS GT3. Samadi’s new Audi continues the steady influx of new machinery into the CAMS Australian GT Championship.
“There were two reasons for the change,” Samadi explains. “The first was I’d heard good things about Audi Sport Customer Racing, and from what I’ve experienced so far I haven’t been disappointed. Secondly, global demand for the Mercedes AMG GT3 is so high that it would have delayed the arrival of a new car.”
Samadi sampled the Audi R8 LMS for the first time at Winton on Tuesday, and has been left excited at the prospects of taking his new machine racing.
“I didn’t think I could be surprised after stepping out of the amazing Mercedes AMG SLS GT3, but the Audi was just incredible straight out of the box. It was only a shakedown and it will be different when we go racing but it was very exciting!”
The car’s first true test however will come courtesy of the daunting Reid Park circuit for the 400, where concrete walls line the edge of the temporary street layout. It’s challenging task with the circuit sharing much in common with the streets of Adelaide, but one Samadi is already relishing.
“I’ve been to Townsville before and driven a Cup Car there, so I’ve got experience of the circuit. It’s a bit like the Clipsal 500 and there are concrete walls but it’s a fantastic circuit that I really enjoy, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Marc GT to sit out the 400
Marc GT has opted to skip the Townsville 400 to focus on the Australian GT Endurance Championship which had its inaugural round at Phillip Island back in May.
Given Marc GT’s late entry into the 2016 Australian GT Championships, its Sprint Series championship hopes are out of reach anyway. Marc GT will continue working and testing its new BMW M6 over the coming months, which will provide its drivers with more seat time ahead of the 2nd round of the Endurance Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park on the 26th – 28th August.
“It’s hard for me to miss the Townsville round as I haven’t missed a race there since I started my career”, said driver Morgan Haber.
“I have a lot of family, friends and supporters who travel to the Townsville race to watch me, so yes, I feel bad for not being there this year, but we’re looking at the bigger picture and focusing on the Endurance Championship”.
The CAMS Australian GT Championship will tackle the Reid Park circuit with two 60-minute races across the weekend. Track action starts on July 8 with practice and opening qualifying, before a second qualifying session and Race 1 on July 9. Race 2 caps off the weekend on July 10.
