Skydiver Felix Baumgartner will compete in this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours driving an Audi R8 LMS ultra, the German manufacturer has announced.
Baumgartner made headlines all over the world in 2012 when he completed a jump from the edge of space, breaking the sound barrier during his 39-kilometre descent. The Austrian has previous racing experience, having taken part in the VW Scirocco R-Cup last year. He was also set to compete in the 2013 Race of Champions before the event was called off.
Audi said Baumgartner will obtain the racing licence he needs and compete in the 24-hour race as a guest entrant. He will partner five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela, three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner and GT racer Pierre Kaffer in the June 21/22 event.
“This task is totally exciting and I’m looking forward to driving races in an Audi,” said Baumgartner.
“During initial tests in the road-going Audi R8 I got to know the Nurburgring, and in the Audi R8 LMS ultra I’ve clocked a few kilometres on various tracks as well.
“I regard this task as one of the major projects in my life. The environment is perfect, the atmosphere is fantastic, and I feel really well taken care of by the Audi race experience.
“But it’s also clear that I’m basically starting from scratch because this sport is new for me.”
