TODAY 19 MAY Exclusive Audi Penfold Burwood News

...circuit, topping two practice sessions and in qualifying clinching a front-row start for race one. The Penfold Audi Sport team also claimed a first with its new interactive livery, featuring on each side a large “QR” (Quick Response) barcode that, when scanned by a smartphone camera, linked the user to a YouTube video of the Audi R8 LMS in action at Phillip Island circuit. Eddy said the team looked set for a successful weekend. “I just took to the track immediately and the Audi felt great. The circuit is only 13 corners and 2.85 kms long, but it feels longer and is really good fun to drive on." “The grip was good and we were looking set for pole, but we got pipped by less than three-tenths of a second. I made a strong start in the race, but got a hit in the rear going into turn one.

“This immediately dropped me a place and then on lap three the power steering developed a problem. The car became difficult to steer and I just had to watch Klark Quinn (Mosler) drive away in front me. After the 24 laps I felt like I had been in the gym for three hours!”

Eddy strong-armed the 500 horsepower V10 coupe to fourth place, its eighth top-four finish in five consecutive rounds, before the crew under manager Paul Ceprnich tackled overnight repairs.

Unusually, the team could not solve the problem, leaving Eddy to complete a further 24 laps on Sunday without assistance.

“I got it home in sixth, but it was hard work. I had to coax it through the corners and turned up the traction system to ensure the back wouldn’t come around – if it had, I wouldn’t have been able to correct it and on a street circuit that probably would have caused me to hit something,” he said.

“It was disappointing, knowing the car had such great pace, but in the end we went home without damage, picked up another 94 points and kept second place in the championship."

“We’re in a good position with rounds still to go at Phillip Island, Bathurst and Sandown, three high-speed tracks that will suit the Audi’s European sports car pedigree."

“The Audi has been getting quicker with every round and, apart from the incident in Townsville, it has been completely reliable since the start of last season."

“It’s very exciting to be competitive in a series that boasts so many different GT brands such as Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Mosler, Ferrari, Viper, Mercedes-Benz and Lotus. I can’t wait to get to the next round.”

The Vodka O Australian GT Championship will continue with round five at Phillip Island in Victoria on 2-4 September.

Television coverage of the Townsville round will air on 7MATE on Saturday 13 August, from 3pm.

2011 Vodka O Australian GT Championship, Townsville 400 Street Circuit (Round 4 of 6)

Qualifying:

1 Klark Quinn (Mosler MT900 GT3) 1 min. 14.2557 sec, 2 Mark Eddy (Audi R8 LMS) 1:14.5237, 3 Peter Hackett (Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3) 1:14.6989, 4 Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Gallardo) 1:14.8476, 5 Tony Quinn (Aston Martin DBRS9) 1:15.1910

Race 1 (Saturday, 24 laps):

1 Klark Quinn, 2 Peter Hackett, 3 Greg Crick (Dodge Viper GT3), 4 Mark Eddy, 5 Ash Samadi (Mosler MT900 GT3).

Race 2 (Sunday, 24 laps):

1 Kevin Weeks, 2 Peter Hackett (Mercedes-Benz GT3 SLS), 3 Klark Quinn, 4 Greg Crick, 5 Ash Samadi, 6 Mark Eddy.

Drivers’ standings (after Rd 4 of 6):

1 Klark Quinn 421, 2 Mark Eddy 399, 3 Greg Crick 397, 4 Dean Grant (Porsche GT3 997 Cup) 382, 5 Ash Samadi 324.

Released for Penfold Audi Sport by Chris Nixon, Automotive Publicist.