TEAM RELEASE: Flying Lizard Motorsports Completes Forgettable Detroit Race
May 31, 2014 – Detroit, Michigan
The Lizards left Detroit with unfortunately little to show for their promising pace in the qualifying session or Chevrolet SportsCar Classic race itself. Nelson Canache Jr. started the No. 45 Venezuela / eSilicon Audi R8 LMS from the hard earned pole position achieved by his teammate Spencer Pumpelly, holding first place throughout his stint against strong pro competition. Spencer Pumpelly ran strongly, challenging for the lead before slipping back two positions in traffic while making a move to overtake the leading No. 63 Ferrari. As he was poised to make a final charge in the race’s closing minutes he was taken out by another competitor that ran into the side of the No. 45 entering Turn 1, putting it into the wall and ending the car’s race.
Seth Neiman started the No. 35 PR Newswire / UBM Tech / eSilicon Audi R8 LMS and remained on the lead lap throughout his stint, handing the car over to Dion von Moltke as it went green following the first caution. Another caution immediately followed but unfortunately the No. 35 was not able to fully capitalize, and the end result was a 12th place finishing position with the No. 45 finishing 14th.
Seth and Spencer will compete at the 24 Heures du Mans in the No. 66 JMW Motorsports GTE-Am entry in two weeks time, with the 24 hour race starting at 3pm local time on Saturday, June 14th, in Le Mans, France. The team is then reunited for the 5th race of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season and 3rd round of the Patron North American Endurance Championship at Watkins Glen, for the iconic 6 Hours at the Glen on June 29th.
About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Flying Lizard is based on Sonoma, California, and has competed in the American Le Mans Series for ten consecutive seasons, from 2004 to 2012 in the GT class and in 2013 in GTC. The Lizards have won two ALMS GT team championships (2008 and 2009), one ALMS GTC team championship (2013), and have secured three ALMS GT Drivers’ championships (2008, 2009, and 2010).
Flying Lizard has also competed in the 24 Heures du Mans from 2005 through 2012, finishing third in 2005, fourth in 2006, sixth in 2008, sixth in 2011, and fourth in 2012.
Please visit the team website at www.lizardms.com and the team store at www.flyinglizardstore.com.
About Audi of America and the Audi R8 LMS
Audi began a new chapter in 2009 with the introduction of the Audi Sport customer racing program. For the first time it was possible for motorsport customers to acquire a race car designed for customer racing events. Since its inception, the success of the R8 LMS has been significant throughout the GT3 racing format worldwide, including victory in the GT class in the 2013 edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Audi R8 LMS shares more than 50% of its parts with the Audi R8 street car including the naturally aspirated V10 5.2 Liter engine, the Audi Space Frame and a variety of other components.
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2012, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016, AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products and technologies.
Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
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