Blancpain GT Series program expanded, with 5 cars in Sprint and 4 in Endurance, in partnership with the Belgian Audi Club WRT embraces TCR concept, both at the level of Benelux and International (with Leopard Racing) GT Sports, Trophée Andros, VW Fun Cup, WRT Kart Academy, other key racing projects.
Company starts diversifying with the acquisition of AMP
Kathleen Schurmans appointed as Joint CEO
It is going to be a busy and exciting year for Team WRT! The Belgian squad has presented its 2016 program of activities this evening, during a crowded press conference at its headquarters in Baudour.
The 2016 projects and key news have been outlined during the event and are summarized as follows.
GT Program
Once again, the Belgian squad will be present among the world’s elite of GT racing in the Blancpain GT Series, defending the four titles conquered in 2015 (the Teams’ and Drivers’ Blancpain overall crowns, and the Teams’ titles in both the Sprint and Endurance series). The team has been very successful also during the winter, taking 2nd at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau, posting a 1-2 win at the Sepang 12 Hours and winning the Dubai 24 Hours.
In the Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup, five Audi R8 LMS will be entered with the following line-ups:
Laurens Vanthoor (B) – Frédéric Vervisch (B)
Michael Meadows (GB) – Stuart Leonard (GB)
Sérgio Jimenez (BR) – Rodrigo Baptista (BR)
Dries Vanthoor (B) – Robin Frijns (NL)
Enzo Ide (B) – Christopher Mies (D)
In the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, there will be four cars entered, with the following line-ups:
Laurens Vanthoor (B) – Dries Vanthoor (B) – Frédéric Vervisch (B)
Michael Meadows (GB) – Stuart Leonard (GB) – Robin Frijns (NL)
Rodrigo Baptista (BR) – Sérgio Jimenez (BR) – Filipe Albuquerque (P)
Adrien de Leener (B) – Peter Kox (NL) – Pierre Kaffer (D)
At the Total 24 Hours of Spa, an additional car, under the colors of Audi Sport, will be entrusted to René Rast (D), Nico Müller (CH) and Laurens Vanthoor (B).
After conquering a first win in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring last year, Team WRT will be back at the Green Hell with two cars, one for Laurens Vanthoor (B) – Christopher Mies (D) – Nico Müller (CH) – Pierre Kaffer (D) under the Audi Sport banner and one for Stuart Leonard (GB) – Edward Sandström (S) – Frédéric Vervisch (B) – Robin Frijns (NL).
TCR International Series
Team WRT will make its debut in the new global series for TCR touring cars successfully launched in 2015 as technical partner of Leopard Racing, which will enter two Volkswagen Golf TCR for the reigning champion, Stefano Comini (CH), and for Jean-Karl Vernay (F).
This is a significant major development in WRT’s racing activity, as the team engages in a category never contested before, touring car racing, which is, since ever, one of the pillars of motorsports. Team WRT strongly believes in the new TCR concept and is happy to be involved in the TCR International Series with Leopard Racing, deepening a partnership that started in GT racing.
TCR Benelux Series
Team WRT will also be present in the TCR Benelux Series kicking off this season among great prospects, taking care of the SEAT León TCR entered by the RACB National Team (RNT) with the support of SEAT Belgium, entrusted to Sam Dejonghe and Denis Dupont, winners of the RACB special competition to select new Belgian young talents, and the VW Golf of Ronnie Latinne (B) – Maxime Potty (F). Ronnie is back in the team after successful 2010-11 seasons in the former Belgian Touring Car Championship and Maxime, a member of the WRT Karting Academy, makes the step from karting to roofed car racing.
GT Sports Club
For the second year of the SRO-promoted GT championship for gentlemen drivers, Team WRT will be participate with two Audi R8 LMS ultra. Jean-Michel Baert (B) and Louis-Philippe Soenen (B) will be the drivers of these two cars.
Trophée Andros
The 2016 edition of the Trophée Andros recently came to an end and saw Team WRT conquering the Teams’ title with the Audi A1 Quattro, which on top was awarded the very fashionable title of “most beautiful car