Photo : - D.R. - Porsche AG

The winner of the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at the wheel of the Audi R18 ultra, Romain Dumas will this week contest one of his main objectives of his 2012 season: the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, whose 40th race will be run on the 19th and 20th May.

After four victories (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011) in five starts, he will have his sights set once again for victory. As in previous years, Romain Dumas will drive for Team Manthey, in a Porsche 997 GT3 R he will share with Marc Lieb, Lucas Luhr and Richard Lietz, all Porsche works drivers. "One of our strengths is to have a proven car," says Romain. "We all know it perfectly and I have already won this race with both Mark and Lucas. In the absence of Timo (Bernhard), Richard joined us: I know him since we were team-mates several times, including the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Finally, the experience of Team Manthey is still a formidable asset for such an endurance test. We have all the elements to do well, but will face stiff competition. Besides the many Porsches, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Aston Martin and Corvette or even McLaren and Ford are present! The top level is just awesome and, as in past seasons, I expect a hard fight. The challenge is great and the victory will be decided on details. It will require perfection at all levels. "

Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans (he won in 2010 with Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller), where he will drive an Audi R18 ultra, Romain Dumas is preparing to tackle the 170 corners and 22 km of the legendary Nordschleife with undisguised pleasure: "I still remember my first laps on this very special track. At the time, I had gone there with a road car and Timo gave me advice. I fell in love with this track and this race... As for the atmosphere, it is indescribable. Each turn on the Nordschleife is a challenge in itself. And I am eager to experience it again ... " The free practice of the 2012 24 Hours Nürburgring will begin on Thursday, 17th May at 14:30, and qualifying from 19:30 to 23:30. Then on Friday from 9:35 to 11:35 and from 18:00 to 18:50 for the Top 40. Start of the race on Saturday, 19th May at 16:00.

(Source: Romain Dumas press information)

Photo: 24 Hours of Nürburgring (Germany), Podium, June 26, 2011. The winners of  2011 left to right: Timo Bernhard (to be replaced this year by the Austrian Richard Lietz), Lucas Luhr, Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb.