AC Motorsport has confirmed its new, second-generation Audi RS 3 LMS will make its debut at the Hankook 12H KUWAIT.

The Belgian team made its 24H SERIES debut with the first-generation Audi RS 3 LMS at the Hankook 24H BARCELONA back in 2017, and since then has taken class wins at both the Hankook 24H DUBAI (2020) and the Hankook 24H SEBRING (2021) with Audi’s first factory TCR car, and was also part of the closest finishes in the series’ TCE history. Recurrent gearbox issues though means last year’s championship runner-up has been unable to challenge for class wins thus far in 2022, 2nd places in both Dubai and Portimão proving the best result so far for the #188 Audi. A heavy accident for Stéphane Perrin at Spa-Francorchamps meant the team was also unable to compete at Hockenheim.

Despite this, AC Motorsport goes into CREVENTIC’s inaugural event at Kuwait Motor Town next weekend just six points adrift of BBR in the TCE Continents Trophy standings, and will be hoping the new RS 3’s more bodywork and latest generation drivetrain improves the Belgian team’s fortunes in Kuwait. Launched in February 2021, the second gen TCR car featured heavily revised aerodynamics – including the new ‘swan neck’ rear spoiler that’s suspended from the rear rather than the front for the first time – a new generation turbocharged four-cylinder that boasts better cooling and more efficient power delivery, and an upgraded six-speed transmission mated with a new, significantly lighter twin-plate racing clutch.

“This year has been difficult for us with the first-generation Audi and its DSG gearbox: we’ve been losing seconds per laps on-track,” AC Motorsport team boss Arnaud Quede explained to CREVENTIC. “Due to the fact that [the last race of the season] is now 12 hours, not 24 hours, we believed it was better to be [in Kuwait] with the new generation Audi. We know it’s going to be difficult to learn about this car quickly, but this will help [our preparation] for the [Hankook] 24H DUBAI. TCR is a good class and we work closely with Audi to make sure we have a reliable car, which will be better for all of us.”

AC Motorsport’s Stéphane Perrin continues: “We hope to be able to fight for victory even if the history of this car [so far in the 24H SERIES] doesn’t lean in our favour!” Wolf-Power Racing was in contention for TCR victory in both Dubai and Barcelona with its new Audi RS 3 LMS only to fall out of contention with gearbox issues. “We have a lot of things to discover – about the car and the circuit – but we like a challenge, and you can count on us to give everything we can to win this race.”

Stéphane will once again partner Mathieu Detry in the new #188 Audi in Kuwait, with both set to compete alongside British Touring Car Championship legend James Kaye. Perrin will also be in action at the Hankook 24H DUBAI with AC Motorsport, which has entered two Audi RS 3 LMS’ for CREVENTIC’s biggest race of the year (Tommy Ku and David Lau, who made their series debuts at this year’s Hankook 24H PORTIMAO, are also set to compete). The Belgian team has also registered an RS 3 for the Hankook 6H ABU DHABI on 20-21 January, meaning the Belgian team will be eligible for CREVENTIC’s Middle East Trophy.

Interestingly, alongside its Audi TCR commitments, AC Motorsport has also taken receipt of a 991.2 Porsche GT3 Cup for 2023, and while the latter has not yet been registered for any events with CREVENTIC, the team has suggested a 24H SERIES program might be possible in 2023. Interested parties can speak with AC Motorsport directly via [email protected] and/or +32 479 947 432.