For the third time, Optimum Motorsport will field an Audi R8 LMS in the season-opening CREVENTIC 24H Series of the year, the 24H Dubai which takes place 11-13 January.

Ollie Wilkinson and Bradley Ellis team up once again following on from their impressive debut with the car in the GT Open finale in Barcelona, where they finished a fine second. This time they will run the #98 R8 in the A6-Pro class.

Wilkinson and Ellis are joined by Audi specialist Christopher Haase. The German competed with the team last year in the Audi, finishing in a strong fourth position overall despite a power steering issue that took the edge of their performance in the closing stages. His record in 2017 was impressive as a whole, as he notched up victory in one of the biggest races of the year, the Total 24 Hours of Spa – again at the wheel of an R8 LMS.

Optimum Motorsport’s record with the R8 in Dubai is impressive. In the first year of competition they finished in a fine fifth position, before going one better last year. In 2018, the team are confident that they can continue the trend as they aim for a class podium position.

“We ran the Audi last year and looked set for a great result but in the end had to be content with P4,” said team principal Shaun Goff. “With Ollie, Bradley and Christopher we have a mix of experience. It’s only Ollie’s second GT3 event, so we need to build up slowly and put in clean laps in practice to help bring the best out his undoubted potential.

“Bradley, we know him well – he’s a known quantity and he’ll be on the pace. We also know we can count on the experience and speed of Christopher in what will be his second start for us. He’ll certainly be crucial in helping us deliver the result we’re aiming for.”