Audi has announced the drivers for its four-car entry in November’s Super GT-DTM ‘Dream Race’ at the Fuji Speedway.
Newly crowned DTM champion Rene Rast heads the line-up; he is joined by fellow champ Mike Rockenfeller, Frenchman Loic Duval and, making his DTM race debut, Benoit Treluyer.
The four-driver line-up pulls from each of Audi’s four DTM squads Team Rosberg (Rast), Abt Sportsline (Rockenfeller, returning to the squad with whom he won his first DTM victory, at Zandvoort in 2011), Team Phoenix (Duval), and customer squad WRT (with a guest appearance from Treluyer).
“Obviously, we’d have preferred to take all of our drivers to Japan,” explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “But, the concurrent Formula E season-opener means that wasn’t possible. Still, I’m delighted that all three Audi Sport Teams and customer team WRT will be on the grid at Fuji.”
Champion Rast added: “I’ve never been to Japan, it’s going to be a cool event. I’ve driven Fuji on the sim: it has a brutally long straight, and very long, technical corners. It’s going to be very interesting, especially in terms of tyre wear.”
Rockenfeller added: “I’ve never raced in Japan before. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the country, the racing series and the fan culture there. I’m really looking forward to it.”
French drivers Loïc Duval and Benoit Treluyer established their careers in Japan. Duval spent seven years racing in the country, lived in Tokyo, raced in SUPER Formula, and won the 2010 SUPER GT title. “I had a fantastic time there, and am looking forward to racing in Japan again,” he said. “I’m just hoping the weather will be on our side, that’s a risk factor at Fuji in November…”
Treluyer won the 2006 Formula Nippon championship and the SUPER GT title in 2008. “Racing at Fuji is like a dream come true for me,” said the former Le Mans winner and World Endurance champion. “I owe the biggest successes in my career to racing in Japan and with Audi. It won’t be easy for me, but I’m going to give my best.”
The four Audi drivers will join Alex Zanardi and two additional BMW drivers, racing at the Fuji Speedway alongside SUPER GT teams from Honda, Lexus and Nissan.
The two DTM-style ‘Dream Races’ take place on November 23/24.
