Audi sports car race to open in Yeongam this weekend

South Korea will host the third and fourth rounds of the Audi R8 Le Mans Series 2015 this weekend at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, according to Audi Korea Monday.

The Audi R8 LMS Cup is an international sports car race based in Asia, in which drivers can only use cars from Audi’s R8 LMS lineup ― specially designed GT3 racing cars based on Audi’s high performance sports car the R8.

This year’s edition of Audi’s signature sports car race kicked off in Zhuhai, China, last month. After completing the second set of rounds in Korea, the race will continue in Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and Shanghai to complete a total of 12 rounds until November.

At the upcoming race in Yeongam, racer You Kyong-ouk will represent Team Audi Korea, the country’s only racing team established by a foreign automaker. You took fourth place in the race last year.

He will compete against world-renowned racers including Swiss racer Rahel Frey ― who has also competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest sports car race.

Aditya Patel, the winner of the SP4T section at the 24 Hours Nurburgring race, is scheduled to partake in Audi’s sports car race as well.

“I send big cheers to You Kyong-ouk at the home game this year and wish the race can contribute to the development of Korean motor sports,” said Jorg Dietzel, marketing director of Audi Korea.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)