Month: October 2022

When CUPRA EKS and Adrien Tambay took all the titles in the final of the “FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup” at the Sachsenring last weekend, ABT Sportsline was celebrating together with the CUPRA EKS team: the Kempten-based company has supported the mission “title defence” with know-how and engineers at the track since the beginning of the season. Before the showdown on the traditional German circuit, the cars have been prepared at ABT.

“We have had a close partnership with CUPRA for a very long time, for example with our joint team in Extreme E,” says ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier. “This gave rise to the idea of creating further synergies and contributing our expertise to the ETCR as well.” On most race weekends, for example, Markus Michelberger is part of the CUPRA EKS team, where he brings his experience from many years in DTM, Formula E and Extreme E to the table. “In addition to our exciting joint projects in production cars, it’s great that we are also working together more and more intensively in motorsport. We warmly congratulate Adrien and the entire CUPRA EKS team,” says Biermaier.

After six race weekends in the all-electric touring car series, Adrien Tambay has won the drivers’ championship ahead of his CUPRA teammates Mattias Ekström and Tom Blomqvist. The manufacturers’ championship was already safely in the hands of CUPRA EKS before. “The 2021 season was a great one for CUPRA in the ETCR series, but for 2022 we wanted to raise the competitiveness,” says Xavi Serra, Head of CUPRA Racing. “To do so we renewed our driver line-up, did some technical modifications to the e-Racer and we added value to our engineering team doing a collaboration with our partner ABT, by incorporating their engineers to the technical team.”

Xavi Serra is also pleased with the “overlapping” partnership between the two companies. “Our collaboration with ABT comes from several years now, not only in racing such as in Extreme E and now ETCR, but also in road cars. CUPRA and ABT are both electric racing pioneers. ABT has had a great success story in Formula E with its own team, and CUPRA developed the e-Racer, the world’s first all-electric touring car. CUPRA and ABT’s partnership is proof of both brands’ shared vision of reinventing the world of motorsport through electrification.”

Fantastic end to a crazy weekend: ABT CUPRA XE captured its first trophy of the current season at the so-called Copper X Prix in Chile. Alongside Nasser Al-Attiyah, spontaneous newcomer Klara Andersson from Sweden thrilled the spectators with fast times and spirited overtaking manoeuvres before the Qatari-Swedish duo celebrated their well-deserved third place on the podium.

The race weekend in the middle of the inhospitable Atacama Desert began with a bitter setback: regular driver Jutta Kleinschmidt hit the ground so hard after a spectacular jump that she injured her back, had to be checked over in hospital and was thus ruled out for the Copper X Prix. After intensive checks, the German followed the events on the track in the live stream and was able to start her journey home on Sunday with plenty of painkillers in her luggage.

ABT CUPRA XE managed to get 22-year-old Klara Andersson on board at short notice, who last weekend became the first woman ever to stand on the podium of a World Rallycross Championship round and was in Chile for the organizers of the Extreme E. In a crash course on Friday evening, the Swede got to know the team, her teammate, the car, and all the procedures and technical requirements, and on Saturday she sat in the car as the starting driver just in time for the first qualifying session. The rest is a little motorsport fairy tale: Klara was almost on the same level as the competition right from the start, impressing with precision, coolness and one or two spirited overtaking manoeuvres.

Via a sixth-place finish in qualifying and second place in the semi-final Andersson and Al-Attiyah qualified for the final against rivals like Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb. The four-time Dakar winner handed over the CUPRA Tavascan XE to Klara Andersson after tough but fair battles between the men, then Klara defended her podium position unimpressed and took it to the finish. She received recognition from fans, media and competitors alike for her performance throughout the weekend.

“It was an insanely exciting weekend – from the first call on Friday afternoon to the party on the podium on Sunday,” says Klara Andersson, who had all her race gear stolen from her trunk in Calama just days before the race. “The challenge and all the input were huge, of course, but Nasser and the whole team made me feel so welcome. So, there was nothing better than celebrating with them after all the effort.”

Immediately after the podium ceremony, Andersson and Nasser Al-Attiyah sent warm greetings to Jutta Kleinschmidt via video and dedicated the trophy to her. “The most important news for Klara, me and the whole team is of course that Jutta is doing well. We really wanted to turn things around after the tough start to the weekend and worked harder than ever to do so – the mechanics as well as the engineers and us drivers. The trophy for third place is highly deserved and a fantastic reward for the whole team.”

The Copper X Prix was the fourth of a total of five Extreme E rounds this season. The finale will take place on November 26 and 27 in Uruguay. ABT Sportsline has the best memories of the Punta del Este venue: The team has already celebrated on the podium here with Formula E.

Team ABT Sportsline enters the DTM finale on 8/9 October at the Hockenheimring with its title chances intact. While championship leader Sheldon van der Linde in the BMW remained without points at the Red Bull Ring, René Rast in his ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II collected a total of 21 points on Saturday with the fastest time in qualifying and second place in the race. On Sunday, he made up another point. Before the finale, as third in the standings, he is only twelve points behind. A total of 58 points will still be awarded at Hockenheim.

In pouring rain and extremely difficult conditions, Rast was once again the fastest Audi driver in qualifying on Sunday – but only in tenth place. In the race, he was in sixth place for a while thanks to a late tyre change. Shortly before the finish, however, he was caught by several drivers who had changed to slicks on the drying track. In tenth place, Rast still scored a point.

Ricardo Feller showed a strong performance in both qualifying sessions and was right next to René Rast on the grid on both days. However, after a contact on the opening lap on Saturday and a lack of grip on Sunday, the Swiss remained without points in both races.

Kelvin van der Linde moved up from 14th on the grid to 8th on Saturday. Sunday’s race ended prematurely for the South African, who lives near Kempten, after a contact and a resulting puncture.

Felix Fechner is the engineer looking after René Rast’s ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II at Team ABT Sportsline in the 2022 DTM. In his first DTM season with a GT3 car, the three-time DTM champion is third in the standings as the Audi driver with the most points and still has title chances ahead of the last four races of the season. The two races at the Red Bull Ring next weekend (both live on ProSieben and on ran.de from 1 PM CEST on Saturday and Sunday) are therefore particularly important for Rast and Team ABT Sportsline. For Felix Fechner, this is no reason to get nervous.

What is the interim balance after six of eight DTM race weekends this year?
The interim balance is mixed. We had quite a few races where we retired with punctures or accidents – but also weekends where we really got the maximum out of the car and everyone did a good job. Overall, the balance is positive.

Before the season started, did you expect to be able to fight for the championship title with René Rast?
Just like René, I didn’t expect it, but of course I hoped for it. After the first two weekends, I didn’t expect it anymore, because it was a difficult start, which we somehow expected. For me, too, it’s the first year with a GT3 car, so we’re both kind of rookies again. Imola virtually turned everything around.

But the first podium came before that at the Lausitzring …
That’s when René realized that he could definitely keep up with Kelvin (van der Linde) and Ricardo (Feller) and even play to his strengths over the weekend by working on the data and improving the car. That’s when we clearly got the feeling we are right there in the mix.

How big was the joy after the victory at Imola?
Very big! Especially since we didn’t have the easiest season with René last year in Formula E. It was great to finally be able to celebrate our first victory together.

How big was the disappointment 24 hours later with the puncture?
The disappointment was huge, of course. But we also know that we had 25 kilograms of extra ballast on Sunday and that the Audi is the car on the grid that suffers the most from ballast. You could also see that with Nico (Müller), who had to defend eighth or ninth place. Realistically, there wouldn’t have been more possible for us. But clearly, every point lost hurts.

You grew up in motorsport at ABT. What makes it special for you to work for ABT Sportsline?
At ABT, we are like a small family with a strong bond. After a difficult start to the season like this year, there is naturally friction, but no one questions anyone. We have a good culture of making mistakes: it’s accepted that mistakes are made, as long as they don’t happen twice. I think that’s what makes us so strong as a team.

The gap in the championship has become very large after Sunday’s race at Spa. Do you still think you have a chance of winning the championship?
If Sheldon (van der Linde) manages it well, it will be very difficult to catch him. But you can very quickly have a weekend without any points in the DTM. As long as it’s mathematically possible, we’ll be going full throttle.

Extreme E is coming to South America: next weekend (September 24 and 25), the series for purely electric off-road SUVs will hold its fourth round of the season in Chile. The location could hardly be more extreme: The venue for the Copper X Prix is a mine in the middle of the legendary Atacama Desert in the west of the country – one of the driest places on the planet. ABT CUPRA XE with Jutta Kleinschmidt and Nasser Al-Attiyah wants to join the other teams in drawing attention to the challenges of the region and at the same time fight for the first trophy of the current season.

Even though the German-Qatari duo was quick in the first three events and put one or two exclamation marks on the results: Countable successes like a trophy are yet to come. Again and again, minor setbacks prevented a finish on the podium. “Of course, we can’t be satisfied with the season so far in terms of results. Our ambition is to be racing for the podium at every race,” clarifies ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier. “On the positive side, the drivers, team and car clearly have what it takes to win races. So it’s up to all of us to call on that potential on two flawless days and turn it into a good result.”

The Copper X Prix is the debut of Extreme E in South America. The venue is a mine site just under 100 kilometres from the nearest town of Calama, on which the approximately 3.4-kilometre circuit is designed. Just one millimetre of precipitation per year is common in the inhospitable Atacama Desert. Accordingly, water waste and pollution as well as the loss of biodiversity due to mining are two of the issues that drivers and teams want to draw attention to away from the sporting action. On the track, Kleinschmidt and Al-Attiyah will be competing for their first trophy in their CUPRA Tavascan XE in the fourth of five rounds of the season.

In Extreme E, ten teams – including those of former Formula 1 world champions Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg – are competing for the championship. One woman and one man each take turns at the wheel. After the season opener in Saudi Arabia in February, the two races in July on Sardinia and the premiere in Chile, the final race will be held on the coast of Uruguay in November.

The RS 6, which has now been built for 20 years, not only plays an important role in Audi’s corporate history, but also at ABT Sportsline. Four generations have been created so far and the Bavarian company has taken on each one with great dedication. “Whenever a new RS 6 comes onto the market, you think to yourself: madness, this can’t get any better! “, explains Managing Partner Hans-Jürgen Abt: “In addition to my congratulations, I would therefore like to express my greatest respect on the model anniversary.” Nevertheless, the world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW has managed each time to create a vehicle that is even more fascinating in terms of performance and to thrill its fans all over the world. Of course, this is also due to the fact that these cars have always been and still are special eye-catchers thanks to a high degree of customisation. Above all, the now sold-out Johann Abt Signature Edition was created in 2021 to mark the 125th anniversary of the company, which began in 1896 as a down-to-earth horse forge.

“The RS 6 is the perfect platform for ultimate high-performance station wagons. These models are always among the highlights in our range – all of them are and have been special media darlings and coveted by customers all over the world,” says Hans-Jürgen Abt: “At the same time, the visual transformation process in particular is becoming more and more demanding for us, as Audi is now setting enormous standards. While the first RS 6 from 2002 was still a real wolf in sheep’s clothing, the current C8 model cannot be denied a certain extroversion.” Nevertheless, ABT Sportsline managed to put a clear exclamation mark on the technology and exterior in this case as well – and not just with the sold-out Johann Abt Signature Edition. “Our current RS6-S scores with spectacular carbon add-on parts, striking alloy wheels, perfectly balanced suspension and performance enhancements at super sports car level,” enthuses Hans-Jürgen Abt.

A look into the past shows what has happened in terms of performance: the first RS 6 had 450 HP (331 kW) ex works in 2002. Today’s production model, which like all its predecessors except the 2nd generation (10-cylinder bi-turbo) is powered by a turbocharged V8, has a proud 600 HP (441 kW). That is 33 percent or 150 HP more. But the potential is by no means exhausted, as the ABT RS6-S shows, which features the ABT Power S* performance upgrade. This is based on the high-tech control unit ABT Engine Control (AEC), which increases the power to 700 HP (515 kW) and provides an enormous maximum torque of 880 Nm. Still not enough drive? On request, even 740 HP (544 kW) and 920 Nm can be realised.

In view of such figures, it is reassuring that the RS 6 is always equipped with four-wheel drive and that the DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) suspension was available from the first generation onwards. Here, the shock absorbers are connected diagonally, which reduces pitching and rolling movements. In the RS6-S, ABT Sportsline also implants anti-roll bars at the front and height adjustable suspension springs. These allow variable lowering of up to 25 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear axle. This further reduces pitch and roll and perfectly accentuates the gigantic 22-inch ABT High Performance HR rims in the wheel arches.

It goes without saying that for a complete vehicle from ABT Sportsline, new alloy wheels are not enough – no matter how elaborate they may be. As mentioned at the beginning, the Bavarian company has given the RS6-S an extensive aerodynamics package made of “motorsport-like” visible carbon. This includes a striking frontlip with the model name in red lettering, side skirt add-ons at the front and sideblades at the rear. Further accents are set by the two-part rear spoiler and the ABT stainless steel exhaust system with its four 102 mm tailpipes. ABT Sportsline has also shown great attention to detail in the interior. In addition to the seat upgrade and the integrated entrance lights, the individualisation includes the door sills, the shift knob cover in glossy visible carbon, the start-stop switch cap and the steering wheel badge.

If you don’t want to buy a complete ABT RS6-S straight away, but are speculating on individual options for your existing vehicle, many technology components are also available individually. As always, the complete overview is available in the ABT configurator.

The DTM weekend at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium ended in disappointment for ABT Sportsline. After the team got away with a black eye on Saturday and collected valuable points with plenty of luck in positions four and five, all three ABT drivers went away empty-handed in the second race on Sunday. René Rast’s retirement shortly before the end of the race due to a puncture in the famous Eau Rouge corner was particularly annoying.

The three-time DTM champion had clinched fourth place in the first race on Saturday from ninth on the grid, improved to second place in the standings and reduced the gap to leader Sheldon van der Linde (BMW) to 17 points.

With a perfectly timed lap on a drying track, Rast clinched pole position in Sunday’s second qualifying session and thus another three points. Although he had to defend against faster cars from the start in the race, Rast was in third place shortly before the end of the race before the left rear tyre suddenly lost air – for no apparent reason.

Contact with the Ferrari of eventual winner Nick Cassidy in the early stages of the race had nothing to do with the puncture: firstly, Rast touched the Ferrari with his left front wheel. Secondly, Rast changed tyres between the contact and the retirement. The fact that a 5-second time penalty was imposed on Rast for the collision with Cassidy was no longer relevant after the retirement.

Kelvin van der Linde finished a strong fifth on Saturday but had no chance on Sunday. Ricardo Feller had a disappointing weekend on his favourite track, finishing 18th and 13th. His personal highlight was the seventh-best time in the second qualifying session in difficult conditions on a track that was still wet in parts. On Sunday, he was the best-placed Audi driver – but outside the points.

In the drivers’ standings René Rast dropped back to third place due to his retirement. The gap to Sheldon van der Linde grew to 34 points. Lucas Auer (Mercedes) is two points ahead of him. A total of 116 points are still up for grabs in the remaining four races at the Red Bull Ring (September 24/25) and Hockenheim (October 8/9).

In the team standings, Team ABT Sportsline remains in second place behind Schubert Motorsport after six of eight events.

Webcon is pleased to announce it can now offer a manifold kit to convert the MGB and other BMC/BL ‘B’ Series engines to Weber carburation. The manifold is suitable for the installation of a single Weber 32/36 DGV or DGMS carburettor, for both manual or automatic choke applications, and fits five port heads.

The kit contains a complete fitting kit and comprehensive instructions. There are two servo take-offs in the manifold and two blanking plugs are also included.

Order as part number MT0032 at £314.21 plus VAT

For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

In applications where the Webcon LP1000 or LP2000 cable linkages are not suitable, Webcon has made installing a rod linkage to a single Weber DCOE or DCO/SP carburettor a very simple process by providing a kit containing all the required parts.

Kit number LP5200 contains a 5/16” stainless steel bar and linkage rod, aluminium stops, superior quality billet CNC machined operating levers and rose joints along with comprehensive instructions.

LP5200 has an RRP of £77.97 plus VAT.

For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

With a lot of last edition classic Minis now in need of renovation, Mini Spares is now offering the SEVEN bootlid badge that was used on the last Twin Point Minis from chassis BD0183494 until the close of production.

The badge is 100mm long and 20mm high with provision for stick-on attachment.

Order as part number DAH100940MMM at £15.12 inc. VAT.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com