In a return to the Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing Series, Team Sahlen will be debuting their newest racer in their stable – the #43 “Retro” Audi R8 LMS GT3
After acquiring the Audi in June, Team Sahlen has worked methodically throughout the summer preparing “Retro” for race action. This has included a test at Nelson Ledges Road Course as well as a recent Open Test & Tune at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Additionally, several sessions on the team’s Chassis Dyno has Audi well prepared for the debut event.
Joe Sahlen shared his excitement of the new Audi R8 racer – “The 1st time I got to see the R8 was at our Sahlen’s 150th celebration this summer at the Pierce Arrow Museum in downtown Buffalo. We named this racer “Retro” for the throwback livery of the original Sahlen’s logo. This looks like no other Sahlen’s racer we have ever had. I am excited to get behind the wheel and have a go around Mid-Ohio.”
Team Sahlen will also be entering their #41 “Lunatic” & #42 “Saucy” Porsche Caymans in the race as well. These Stuttgart racers are a great pairing for Team Sahlen, as the duo finished 1st and 2nd at their last Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing Series event – The Sahlen’s Springfest at the Glen.
At last year’s Summit Racing – American Endurance Racing event at Mid-Ohio race, Team Sahlen was able to capture the Overall victory in Sunday’s 8 hour enduro, as well as the Weekend Overall Title from both Saturday & Sunday’s combined results.
Wayne Nonnamaker remembers last year’s race – “It was quite cold last year. In fact, I remember that we really struggled to even get temperature into the tires. I think there might have even been some ice on the track. Some racers even spun on the back straightaway from a lack of grip. And on Street Tires, this made for some treacherous conditions. Hopefully this year we will see a bit warmer temperature.”
There are 55
racers entered for this weekend’s event.
Friday will be a practice and qualifying sessions. The weekend will feature an 8 ½ hour enduro
on both Saturday and Sunday’s races.
Both races will start at 8 am sharp.
In the previous 4 years that Team Sahlen has competed at Mid-Ohio, the
team has secured 7 victories, in both the Summit Racing – American Endurance
Racing Series and the World Racing League in 5 different race cars. The team hopes to challenge again this year
for the top step.
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