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Audi conquers 10-hour Intercontinental GT Challenge 2019 in Suzuka

By Randy
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September 5, 2019

Endurance racing is one of the most grueling disciplines known in motorsports. A true test of man and machine, endurance racing isn’t for just anybody in the racing world as it requires team work, quick and critical thinking, race car and tires durability, among others. That being said, Audi has proven that with a capable crew and machine, it can go the distance, no matter how long and tough it is.

Case in point, the German carmaker just conquered this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge, a 10-hour endurance racing event held at the 5.8 km long Suzuka Circuit in Japan. With a race-ready Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the hands of team Audi Sport WRT drivers Kelvin van der Linde/Dries Vanthoor and Frédéric Vervisch, the #25 machine led 201 of the 268 total laps recorded, with a 40-second margin over its closest rivals.

But the team’s win didn’t come very easy as it had to endure serious competition from other teams running BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Ferrari machines. Team Audi Sport saw the lead coming its way when one of its BMW team rivals opted to reset its stint times under a full-course yellow flag plus a short stop-and-go penalty. This series of errors opened the door for team Audi Sport to take command till checkered flag.

Now the worldwide endurance racing fans can look forward to a thrilling title decision. For the first time, the Intercontinental GT Challenge will visit Africa this year. The 9-hour race at the circuit of Kyalami on November 23 will decide if Audi, after two victories in the drivers’ and three in the manufacturers’ classifications since 2016, will be able to claim its sixth title in this racing series.

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About the Author

Randolph de Leon
Randy is a person with disability (PWD), a partially-blinded person with only his left eye functioning. Since childhood, the automobile has always been his passion, and is able to express it through photography and most recently, through writing as well. Outside the motoring beat, Randy spends time manning the media aspect of his business which he co-founded with his sister/college classmate. It's called Dragonlight Wellness and Solutions, a multi-business venture centering on improving peoples' lives through earning.