The 2012 International Superstars Series will see the debut of three Audi RS5, in the hands of Audi Sport Italia alongside Germany’s MTM and Sweden’s KMS, and the first laps for the new car will be in the initial shakedown test, which is scheduled for the forthcoming days.
The RS5 race-cars will have over 450bhp and will be up against eight other car manufacturers in the FIA approved Championship. Alongside the German manufacturer in the International Superstars Series will be BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jaguar, Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes and Porsche.
In the Audi Sport Italia car will be former Formula One and FIA World Touring Car Championship driver Gianni Morbidelli, who won two Championships with the team previously, and he heads into 2012 looking to reclaim the crown which he last secured in 2009.
I’m really happy and proud to have this brand-new car,” explained Morbidelli. “Next week we will complete the program’s final steps after the whole team put an impressive effort made of hard work and dedication.
“During the first week of March we will be on-track for a test in order to gather some feedback concerning the mechanical part and also the reliability. I decided to get back to SUPERSTARS because it’s the benchmark championship in modern motorsports in terms of media coverage and also for the high-level teams, drivers and brands lining-up in the series.”
Audi Sport Italia will also provide technical support to German outfit MTM and Swedish team KMS. MTM will run Thomas Schoffler, who made his Superstars debut at Misano in 2011, driving an Audi Sport Italia RS4.
“Being able to run in the 2012 SUPERSTARS SERIES is definitely a great chance for me,” added Schöffler. “I want to thank the team, as I really trust them, for the confidence they put in me.
“My goal will be to grow-up step-by-step and reward them for that confidence. I’m sure that one of the men to beat will be my fellow Audi racer Morbidelli.”
The third Audi RS5, currently being prepared in Novara, will be piloted by young Swedish racer Johan Kristoffersson; with the benchmark Swedish outfit KMS. KMS have won the STCC Championship five times and Kristoffersson impressed in the 2011 campaign.