Before attending the race I found out that Audi of America were offering an opportunity to participate in the Audi Motorsport Experience at Sebring, and to quote from their website (www.audimotorsportexperience.com) “…. as a special Farewell to Sebring …. to show appreciation for all of our special Audi fans who have cheered us on through many Sebring victories ….”. I was lucky enough to see the Audi Fan Zone and to obtain a complimentary invitation to the Audi Turn One Club. The Audi Turn One Club was amazing with a covered/air conditioned lounge area, closed-circuit TVs for race coverage, driver interviews, a bistro for food (the hamburgers and frankfurter’s were fantastic) and cold non-alcoholic drinks, and private restrooms. The staff were very professional, friendly and helpful. Their was also a golf cart to shuttle you from the Audi Turn One Club to the overflow Audi Corral near the Walkover Bridge. The “icing on the cake” was that I as able to put my name down to participate in a “hot pit” tour during the race on Saturday (more about this in the March 16 posting). All I can say is great job Audi, and the fans who participated in this event are very thankful and appreciate the experience you offered. I’d also like to thank the Audi Fan who gave me a spare sticker for parking in the Audi Overflow Corral, which made parking on race day much easier.

Audi Fan Zone which was free entry for all fans and exhibited their race winning LMP1 cars including the R8, R10 TDI, R15 TDI, and R18 TDI (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/1000, ISO 100; Turn One Club Hospitality)

The sign says it all, entrance to the Audi Turn One Club (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/1250, ISO 100; Turn One Club Hospitality)

Food Bistro and Lounge areas (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/1250, ISO 100; Turn One Club Hospitality)

Interviews with Audi Sport Team Joest drivers Lucas di Grassi (left) and Benoit Treluyer (right) (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/1250, ISO 100; Turn One Club Hospitality)

Audi Motorsport DTM Head Dieter Gass (left) and former R18 driver Emanuele Pirro (right) (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/200, ISO 100, Speedlite 600EX-RT for fill-flash; Paddock)

Preparing the R18 e-tron quattro’s for the afternoon qualifying session – P1 class, Audi Sport Team Joest (Canon 5D Mark III, 28mm f/2.8 IS, f/8, 1/125, ISO 100; Paddock)

An R18 e-tron quattro exiting Turn 3 during afternoon qualifying – P1 class, Audi Sport Team Joest (Canon 5D Mark III, 300mm f/2.8L IS II with 2x extender III, f/13, 1/400, ISO 100; Turn 3)

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