Lionspeed by Car Collection will field a pair of Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II in the 2022 NLS.
Last year, the Audi R8 LMS GT3 from Lionspeed by Car Collection took the Sp9 Pro-Am title with drivers Patrick Kolb and Lorenzo Rocco.
Kolb will return in one of the two Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars this year. His partners at the wheel of the #24 are Dennis Fetzer and Audi Sport driver Patric Niederhauser, stepping up to the SP9 Pro class for a full season after Kolb already successfully contested a race in the class at the eighth round of last season together with Audi Sport drivers Nico Müller and Patric Niederhauser.
“I’m super excited to have the opportunity to race my second season with Audi Sport customer racing and Patric Niederhauser and stepping up into the SP9 Pro category,” says Patrick Kolb, who also immediately issues the marching orders: “Our goal is to compete for overall podium positions and wins this year.”
The sister #23 car will be driven by Patrick Kolb’s partner from last year, Lorenzo Rocco, who aims to defend his title in the ProAm classification. He will be partnered by Jörg Viebahn, who joined the Car Collection Motorsport team after last year’s ADAC Total 24H race:
“I’m looking forward to the season with Car Collection. After 10 years in the GT4 European Championship, I was able to quickly get used to the aero and speed of a GT3 racer again,” described the Nordschleife connoisseur. “With my teammates I have great partners, so we should also achieve good results as a team.” The two drivers will be supported by long-time regular driver Klaus Koch at the first round of the Nürburgring Endurance Series.
Team boss Peter Schmidt is confident that Car Collection will also be successful on the Nordschleife in 2022: “In 2021 we started a successful collaboration with team Lionspeed GP and the drivers Lorenzo Rocco and Patrick Kolb which was crowned by the SP9 ProAm championship. Together with Lionspeed we developed a program, in which the drivers and team can continue to grow. The vast experience gained from the Audi Sport entries at the Nürburgring have set a strong basis with which we are able to lead Lionspeed’s step into the Pro category. We approach this new opportunity with full commitment and engagement.”
The 2022 season of the Nürburgring Endurance Series starts on March 26.
