The Audi S3 Sportback has exceeded expectations during its debut season in the New Zealand Production Racing Championship, Audi of New Zealand General Manager Dane Fisher says on the eve of the series' final round at Taupo.
"The Audi S3 Sportback, with Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive technology, has performed well and we have received very complimentary feedback," said Fisher of the car, which is fourth in series standing points heading into this weekend's round at Taupo.
Because no-one else - not even the factory - had modified an S3 Sportback for competition use, Audi of New Zealand and Auckland-based preparation house International Motorsport were very much on their own.
But with defending New Zealand Production Racing champion Simon Sceats behind the wheel the S3 Sportback proved its potential at the opening round of the 2010/11 series at Pukekohe Park Raceway in November last year and quickly earned its stripes at subsequent rounds this year.
"A highlight was a win in the rain at the third round at Invercargill's Teretonga Park in early January," said Fisher.
"Another was a second round podium in as many weeks at the fourth round at Timaru seven days later."
Heading to Taupo, Sceats and the S3 Sportback's fourth ranking in the series points standings is impressive for a brand new car in its debut season and it is an achievement Fisher and the team at Audi of New Zealand are justifiably proud of.
"We set clear, concise goals heading into the season and we've certainly ticked all of those boxes."
"There's still work to be done to make the S3 Sportback a regular race winner. But we're well on our way, and probably further ahead of where, at our most conservative, we thought we would be at this stage."
The Audi Dealer Network/Mondiale-backed Audi S3 Sportback will be on track at Taupo from Friday with qualifying and an eight lap race on Saturday, then a second eight lap race and ten lap season finale on Sunday.
Leading the championship points chase is Grant Liston from Grant Aitken, Logan Childs and Simon Sceats.
