As full-time team developing Audi’s R8 Grand-Am for the Rolex series and with two drivers who have never been to Belle Isle, one might expect that APR Motorsport was a bit apprehensive about this weekend’s race, the Chevrolet Grand-Am 200.
That is not the case. Drivers Dion von Moltke and Dr. Jim Norman have been studying video and looking forwards to testing their car on the 2.1-mile Belle Isle street circuit.
Neither driver is taking this challenging course lightly, though.
“Street courses are much more mentally taxing than a purpose-built road course,” said von Moltke in a team press release. “There is absolutely no room for error and you have to be on your game 100 percent of the time—completely focused on the corner in front of you and nothing else. In preparation I have been working on mental toughness.
“I have watched all of the races at Belle Isle from 2008. My focus has been on the technical aspects of the track—the corners, the surfaces, the bumps and kerbs, the places to attack and defend, and how the track changes throughout a race.
“We continue to develop our APR Audi R8 Grand-am with each race and are extremely hungry for a good result!”
Co-driver Dr. Jim Norman is also eager but aware of the risks. “Competing on a street circuit is a new challenge, but one that I am really looking forward to,” said Norman. “The penalty for making mistakes is extremely high, and when you add in the faster Daytona Prototype cars, it will make for a very exciting race.
“I can’t wait to get back into our Audi, I know the guys at APR Motorsport and Audi Sport Customer Racing have worked hard to improve the car.”
APR Motorsport had had a tough season with the R8. As the only team in the world developing the car, APR faces a task which might overwhelm other teams, but the Opelika, Georgia outfit is used to it—APR was the only team to develop the Audi S4 for the Continental Tire Sports Car Series.
The Rolex Series Audi hasn’t had great results so far, but at most races it has been on the pace with the class leaders—a sign that just a few tweaks might launch the car into Victory Circle.
The Rolex Chevrolet Grand-Am 200 takes the checkered flag at 5:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday, June 2. The race is part of a weekend of high—speed competition, including the IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix on Sunday. Tickets are available through the Detroit Grand Prix website.
The race will be televised live on Speed-TV starting at 5 p.m. Saturday.
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