B.E.S. – Navarra Race 22 May 2011Second in Spain, the Belgian Audi Club eam WRT reduces the gap

The Blancpain Endurance Series has lived its second round this week-end at theNavarra circuit in Spain. Starting from the pole position, Stéphane Ortelli, Bert Longinand Filipe Albuquerque have repeated the Monza result, second place, at the end ofthe 3-hour race, reducing the gap with the provisional leaders in the standings to 4points. The other R8 LMS of the Belgian squad, driven by Andrea Piccini, MarcelFässler and Greg Franchi, finished fourth, only one step away from the podium.

As announced, the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT wanted to be on the forefront again in thissecond round of the Blancpain Endurance Series, hosted at the Navarra circuit. Theobjective was more than achieved in qualifying, thanks to a Filipe Albuquerque in greatshape. Performing a perfect lap, the young Lusitanian gave the pole to the # 32 Audi R8LMS, while the team’s other car qualified 8th with Marcel Fässler.

At the start, Stéphane Ortelli made perfect use of his team mate’s pole to lead the groupduring the first half-hour of the race, before being past by the Ferrari which eventually won.The race, on a twisty track where overtaking proved difficult, was plentiful of incidents, asdemonstrated by the number of safety-car periods. Despite all his efforts, Bert Longin couldnot re-take the leadership and even had to concede third place to the Autorlando Porschevictorious in Monza. «It has been a difficult stint, because of the many race neutralizations”,explained the Belgian, Every time, it was hard to regain the right pace with cold tires. Maybe Ihave been attacking too much, which wasn’t too effective.»

Third when he took the wheel of the #32 Audi, Filipe Albuquerque confirmed his excellentperformance in qualifying with a superb stint: « It’s supposed to be an endurancechampionship, but this race was really a long sprint! », admitted the Audi DTM driver. « Iknew I had the Porsche leading the championship in front of me and wanted absolutely tocatch it. My motivation was growing every time the team was radioing me that the gap wasclosing up. I was delighted to be able to re-take the second position 20 minutes from theend..., especially as this allows us to get closer to the top of the standings just ahead of the24 Hours of Spa. I look forward to being there... It will be my first time and I have a lot tolearn from Stéphane and Bert.» Thanks to yet another second place, the Belgian Audi ClubTeam WRT trio is now only 4 points behind the championship leaders.

The day was positive also for the other car of the team, which finished fourth. « After thedisappointment of Monza, where our race was ruined by punctures, it was important to scorepoints here », said Greg Franchi. « We have been a little less competitive than our sister carthroughout the week-end, but we bring home a good result. We now head towards the 24Hours and everything is still possible.” Marcel Fässler could only confirm: « The work doneby Filipe on the other car during qualifying was simply outstanding», echoed the Swiss. « Inrace conditions, our Audi R8 LMS was quick and well-balanced. In such a competitive series,you cannot afford any mistake. We still have to progress, but this 4th place is not a bad result,especially for the team.”

For the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, the third round of the Blancpain Endurance Series willhave a special taste, as this will be the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa, on home soil. Themythical race will take place the last week-end of July and the Belgian squad dreams ofadding this legendary line to its roll of honor!

Blancpain Endurance Series – Round 2 - 3 Horas de Navarra (ES)Results1. Kechele-Verdonck-Bartels (Ferrari 458 Italia) 102 laps in 3h01m21s3032. Longin-Albuquerque-Ortelli (Audi R8 LMS) + 17s6033. Ruberti-Roda-Giammaria (Porsche 911 GT3 RSR) + 25s6254. Franchi-Piccini-Fässler (Audi R8 LMS) + 1 lap5. Morel-Beaubelique-Badey (Ferrari 458 Italia) + 1 lap

Championship Standings after Round 2 of 51. Ruberti, Roda, Giammaria 40 points2. Longin, Albuquerque, Ortelli 363. Kechele, Verdonck, Bartels 254. Vannelet, Makowiecki, Moser 205. Palttala, Martin, Leinders 196. Franchi, Piccini, Fässler 18

Next Race 24 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), 30-31 July 2011.