APR Motorsport, who managed to have a very fruitful 2009 by scoring not only their first win ever as a team, but also went on to score the MOST wins of any team in Koni Challenge last year, is looking to make 2010 a breakout year for the team. The championship in '09 went to Compass360, with their Honda Civic Si, but the strong APR Motorsport showing from June forward indicates 2010 could be the year for APR to make their championship bid. Both GTIs will return to the ST class to do battle once again, and the rest of the field will no doubt will be ready for them.
APR has decided not to rest on their laurels however, and has expanded in 2010, showing a strong commitment to the Grand Am series with a brand new Audi S4 3.0 TFSI. This is a very exciting development, and it pleases me to no end that APR has continued to commit to motorsport, even while so many other companies cut back or choose not to participate. The tribal style graphics which carry over from the GTIs are not my favorite...they're a bit busy for me, but I can understand the desire for visual continuity.
It takes more than money to make for a successful race team. It takes commitment, engineering and perhaps most of all, passion, to best the rest of the cars on the circuit and emerge anywhere near the top of the pack. APR has proved they can win, now let's see if they can keep it consistent and bring home a championship to VAG.
Ian Baas, who drove the #171 GTI last year, will be behind the wheel of the new S4, along with newly signed driver Mark White. White drove with APR in 2008, and should be a great addition to the team.
Check out this in-car lap from Daytona testing just a few weeks ago. The car certainly looks fit. (Ian is behind the wheel)
I always think I could be a competent race driver, then I see something like this and realize that's not likely. Still, it's fun to watch.
We will find out shortly whether or not this expansion will prove to be a wise move, or is perhaps going to spread resources too thin. Going by how Stephen and the gang usually do things, I would guess not. Here's to a championship season for both VW and Audi in 2010.
_WRS
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