Customer teams keep on flying Audi Sport colours in TCR

Audi Sport customer racing is realigning its commitment, but the company is pursuing plans to retain the presence of the Audi RS 3 LMS in the 2020 WTCR as part of an all-privateer program.

“The FIA WTCR has evolved into an international stage and we’ve been part of it from day one. Since last year, we’ve clinched 25 podium finishes including seven victories,” said Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “A big thank you for this goes to our four drivers, Niels Langeveld, Gordon Shedden, Jean-Karl Vernay and Frédéric Vervisch, as well as to Comtoyou Team Audi Sport, Leopard Racing Team Audi Sport and our partners. Now the time has come to open a new chapter.”

Audi Sport customer racing has reorganized its programme, but in the TCR touring car category, customer teams will continue to field the Audi RS 3 LMS on national and international levels worldwide. Audi has built 180 of these cars that are equally popular today in South and North America as in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. As a result, the Audi RS 3 LMS also won the worldwide 'TCR Model of the Year' classification last year and this has good chances of defending this title.

“After having set an initial direction for 2020 together with our partners, we hope that the Audi RS 3 LMS will compete in the WTCR again next year,” said Reinke. “Comtoyou Racing from Belgium has expressed interest in competing in the WTCR again in 2020. We would very much welcome this and wish Jean-Michel Baert and his team that this idea will become a reality.“