APR News

APR is pleased to present a new ECU Calibration Strategy for all 3.0T ECU Upgrades!

Arin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:19:58 +0000

APR’s Engineering Teams have finished final testing of a new ECU Calibration for the Stage I and Stage II+ ECU Upgrades. The results are an additional 20-30 Horsepower and ft-lbs of torque depending on operating conditions, and the addition of APR Motorsport features designed to enhance your driving experience.

Accompanying these updates, all ECU’s flashed with APR’s v2.0 software will be subject to subsequent updates via OBD-II port reflashes through APR’s world wide distribution network.

For several years, APR has tested the 3.0 TFSI through brutal professional motorsport racing in the Grand-AM and World Challenge Road Racing Series. Automotive Engineering firms have continuously turned to endurance racing as proving grounds for new technologies and to measure the durability and viability of these new technologies in a rigorous total system accelerated life-testing environment found in very few alternatives. Through this testing and research APR’s Engineering Teams are able to deliver a more powerful application of the Stage I and Stage II+ ECU Upgrade and do so knowing little to no loss of life will be suffered in the comparison to the Original Calibration and engine performance levels.

APR’s dynamic calibration changes allow the TVS1320 supercharger to operate to its full potential under many different ambient conditions. The resulting increase in intake mass airflow delivers more power though the entire rev range, no matter what APR Stage or APR Performance program you choose. Accordingly, adjustments were made to other areas of the ECU calibration to ensure proper operation as intended by the OEM.

APR’s Motorsport Left Foot Braking feature is now available allowing customers more control over their vehicle’s throttle. Under normal operation, throttle input is disabled while pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time, however this may be undesirable for those looking to get the most out of their vehicles performance on the track. Enabling the left foot braking feature, the driver will have complete control over the vehicle’s throttle and braking system, which may give the edge he or she needs at the track.

APR’s Motorsport Rev Limiter is also now available allowing 6MT customers to reach max RPM without the ECU slowing down acceleration nearly 150 RPM earlier. The result is more power to redline and a definable redline feeling as seen on Audi Quattro GMBH vehicles such as the B7 RS4 and R8 V8 & V10.

Version 2.0 software is now available and is a FREE upgrade for all existing APR Stage I and Stage II+ customers.

Please fill out an APR order form, indicating your stage, program order and other information when sending in your ECU. If you are unable to remove your ECU and send it in on your own, please visit an APR Dealer for assistance.

Application Guide

B8 S4 3.0 TFSI – 6MT & DSG
B8 S5 3.0 TFSI – 6MT & DSG
C6 A6 3.0 TFSI – Tiptronic

For more information on APR ECU and Hardware Upgrades, please visit the following links:

Go APR!

APR Motorsport Never Says Die At First Rolex 24 at Daytona

Arin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:09:18 +0000

Team rallies to see checkered flag in 50th edition of Florida endurance classic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2012 (Daytona Beach, Fla.) – It would be fair to say that things didn’t go quite to plan for the no. 51 APR Motorsports Audi R8 Grand-Am in its first race – the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona. Despite two multi-hour stints in the garage to make repairs, the team was determined to see the checkered flag in its first Rolex Series race.

Trouble first hit the Audi R8 just past the two-hour mark when Emanuele Pirro brought the car behind the wall during a full course caution, and the team had to replace the clutch – a big job on the mid-engined Audi R8 Grand-Am. The APR Motorsports team drew a large crowd of spectators in its garage area, which let out a loud cheer when the car was finally lowered back to the ground and sent back into the fray after a two-hour repair.

Worse news would come at 2:15 in the morning, when Nelson Canache was nudged off the track by a Ganassi Racing BMW Riley Daytona Prototype, sending him into the wall on the left side of the track approaching turn three. After another two-hour repair of the right front and right rear suspension of the Audi R8 Grand-Am, the car returned to the track with Dion von Moltke behind the wheel. However, von Moltke quickly brought the car back and further investigation revealed more damage than was originally thought.

The APR Motorsports crew worked through the night – and into the morning – and just after sunrise, the no. 51 Audi R8 Grand-Am returned to the track with Dr. Jim Norman behind the wheel. Norman, Ian Baas, von Moltke, Canache and Pirro cycled through the car until it had to be brought back to the garage to replace a faulty power steering pump.

Performing another miracle, the team rapidly replaced the pump and installed Norman in the car. Driving into the bus stop with a few minutes remaining, broken bodywork due to damage from earlier in the race caused Norman to spin and go off course. Norman was able to return the car to the pits and the team effected repairs and Norman was able to take the checkered flag in 31st position in the GT class.

The team’s performance was not enough to secure the second class win for five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro in his second appearance in Daytona, but despite the struggles Pirro enjoyed his time with APR in Daytona.

“The race was a real struggle for everybody, but I really appreciate how the crew and the team worked so hard to keep us going,” said Pirro. “It was a really special experience for me to come back and be a part of this race again after thirty one years. To have a good result is of course important, but the whole experience was really, really nice and I have had a very enjoyable time with Audi and APR.”

Von Moltke, who will pilot the car for the 2012 Rolex Sports Car Series, takes several positive elements out of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Having driven the car throughout the race, I really feel that this is a car that we can win with,” said von Moltke. “We came to this race with very little testing time and data, and even though we had some problems we were really happy with the speed we had in the race. Audi and APR will make this car stronger than ever for the next race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. That is APR’s home race, and with the support of PR Newswire and South African Airways, we will be looking to have a race that shows the true potential of the car.”

Team owner Stephen Hooks, who graduated his team from the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge to the Rolex Series for the first time, left Daytona frustrated with the result but encouraged by the effort of his crew – which worked miracles throughout the race to make sure the no. 51 APR Audi R8 Grand-Am saw the checkered flag.

“We can take two things away from our first Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR. “Our team can tackle anything that is thrown at them. They worked all night and did an amazing job to repair a substantial amount of damage on our R8. I’ve been bragging about our crew to everyone on our Live Blog. Under ridiculous circumstances and without any sleep since 6 AM yesterday they have made everybody on this team proud. I told them that we will have better outings and I was thrilled that our car crossed took the checkered flag. Finishing any 24 hour race is no small accomplishment, but when you look at what we were up against this race it is just unbelievable.

“The second thing is the performance of our drivers and our car for this season. We saw a lot of pace out of our Audi R8 Grand-Am, in the hands of all of our drivers. Dr. Jim, Dion, Nelson, Emanuele and Ian all did a great job behind the wheel and all were able to run very competitive times throughout the race. I’m very encouraged by that and I’m looking forward to the rest of the year.”

The next race on the Rolex Series schedule is the Porsche 250 at Birmingham Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on March 31. The race will be shown live on SPEED Channel at 4:00 PM ET.

A full high resolution photo gallery is available in our Media Gallery.

ABOUT PR NEWSWIRE
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content – from rich media to online video to multimedia – and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world’s enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

ABOUT Parathyroid.com
Parathyroid.com is an educational website discussing the adverse health issues associated with high blood calcium. It is recognized as the leading authority on hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid tumors located in the neck which affect one in 1000 people causing high blood calcium, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression, and kidney stones, among other conditions. For more information, visit www.parathyroid.com.

ABOUT MOTUL USA
Motul USA is a world-class company specialized in distribution of high-tech synthetic lubricants formulated for powersports and automotive applications. Motul is a partner to many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological development in motorsports. It has invested in many international competitions as an official supplier for teams in: 24 Hours of Le Mans, GT1 World Championship, MotoGP, World Rally Car (WRC), Dakar® and others. For more information, log on to www.motul.com.

ABOUT APR
APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/APRMotorsport, and on twitter (@GoAPR).

APR Motorsports Has Speed But Suffers Bad Luck in Season Opener

Arin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:28:18 +0000

The Audis and VWs charge forward in the rain at Daytona

January 28, 2012 (Daytona Beach, Fla.) – With the rain falling steadily at the start of the BMW Performance 200, APR Motorsport made the calculated decision to start their cars at the back of their respective fields. With 81 cars starting in the CTSCC race in the rain at Daytona – split between the GS and ST classes – the team was betting on a fair amount of opening-lap carnage and chose to keep its rookie drivers clear of the inevitable carnage.

Amazingly, the opening lap had no serious collisions, off-course excursions, or full-course yellows. The shock from the assembled crowd and everyone crowding around a TV monitor in the pits was palpable.

Starting shotgun on the GS field, Nelson Canache steadily moved the no. 41 APR Tuned Audi S4 through the field throughout the wet first portion of the race. With the Audi S4’s four-wheel-drive system, Canache drove from 40th to 15th before the first caution period of the race slowed his progress. However, the car developed a mechanical problem that took several laps to fix, dropping Canache well off the lead lap. Once handing the car over to teammate Ian Baas, Baas took the car to the finish in 33rd position.

“The Audi is a really good car, and it was amazing in the rain,” said Canache. “I almost wish the team had let me start the race from our position where we qualified, but I understand why we started at the back. I think we could have been leading the race before our first pit stop. The problem we had with the car was really too bad, but I think Ian and I will be fighting for wins in the Audi S4 this year.”

Among the quartet of APR Tuned VW’s in the ST class, there was a fair amount of inter-team rivalry for the highest-finishing driver – especially as the four cars started lined up nose-to-tail. David Cheng, in the no. 171 APR Tuned VW GTI, passed 23 cars during the opening stint before his car developed a mechanical problem, sidelining him and teammate Aleks Altberg after a strong run.

It would be Hector Guerrero, in the no. 191 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI that was started by Juan Pablo Sierra, that would cross the line 22nd in the ST class, just ahead of teammate Daniel LaRiva in the no. 181 APR tuned VW Jetta GLI that was started by Christian Perez.

“I had one moment where I was battling with another car into the bus stop, and I had to go off through the dirt,” said Guerrero. “I did what Alex Popow did last year in the Daytona Prototype. Other than that, the car was good. We had a little bit of a push, and somehow I lost the rear bumper, but I was really happy with the car. It felt better and better each lap and I’m really happy that we finished our first race.”

“Since this was our first race and I didn’t have much time in the car, I just wanted to drive without making mistakes,” said LaRiva. “So I didn’t push too hard, I thought it would be dangerous to push. Each lap I got a little more confident in the car, and I can tell it will be a very fast car in ST after some more testing.”

The no. 161 APR Tuned VW GTI lost two laps to the leader due to confusion under separate yellow-flag periods. The car was started by Juan Carlos Alvarez, who then turned it over to Nate Norenberg, with Josh Hurley finishing the race. Despite being two laps down, Hurley’s laptimes showed the car has the pace of the top-five cars in the ST field.

“The car was amazing,” said Hurley. “I knew it was fast but it was really fast and really consistent – it’s a car that can win in ST. I wish we didn’t have our problems under yellow because if we had been on the lead lap, we would have scored a lot of points. I’m excited about the potential of this car for the rest of the year.”

While the results weren’t as strong as the APR Motorsport team was hoping for, there were a few positives that the team took away from Friday’s BMW Performance 200.

“Our goal for this race was to run without problems and to get our cars and drivers through a race distance,” said Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsports for APR. “We are obviously not happy that we had problems with the Audi S4 and with one of our VW GTI’s, but we showed a lot of speed from those cars. All of our drivers drove smart and brought the cars back safely, and we are really encouraged by what we learned with our new VW Jetta GLI’s. We’ll go back and apply what we have learned and come back for the next race, and compete further up the field like the APR Motorsports team normally does.”

The BMW Performance 200 will be broadcast on SPEED on February 4th at 12:00 PM ET. The next race for the APR Motorsports CTSCC team will be at Barber Motorsports Park on March 31, while the team will also compete in their first Rolex 24 at Daytona which begins Saturday, January 27th at 3:30 PM ET and will be broadcast live on SPEED.

APR Motorsports Qualifying Report from Daytona

Arin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:05:52 +0000

Team’s two Audis and four VW’s put in strong efforts in opening day at Daytona

January 27, 2012 (Daytona Beach, Fla.) – The first day at Daytona for the GRAND-AM season opener is a long one, with several practice sessions as well as qualifying crammed into one busy day at Daytona International Speedway.

With their Audi R8 Grand-Am in the Rolex Series, and an APR-Tuned Audi S4, two VW GTI’s, and two VW Jetta GLI’s in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, APR’s pit area was busy throughout Thursday and was packed for the team’s qualifying sessions.

Tasked with qualifying the no. 51 APR Audi R8 Grand-Am for its first race, the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona, Dion von Moltke laid down a lap good enough for 22nd in a strong field of 41 cars, with a lap time of 1:50.749. Showing the depth of the GT field, von Moltke’s time was 1.4 seconds off the pole winning time.

“We are making big, big gains with each session,” said von Moltke. “The car definitely feels better even compared to this morning. Bringing Mark Scott on board has really helped, and we made a big change in qualifying that was really positive but I had to change the way I was driving to get the most out of it. But the time that we ran in qualifying wasn’t a one-lap wonder; it’s a repeatable lap we can run all race long so we are making big improvements with our race pace. We will have a really good car for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.”

Nelson Canache, in the no. 41 APR Tuned Audi S4 that he will turn over to Ian Baas, qualified sixteenth in the GS class for his first CTSCC race. Canache is also driving the team’s Audi R8 Grand-Am in the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend.

“The car was very good, but I am kind of disappointed because I only got one clean lap because of the yellow flag period,” said Canache. “But the car was great and we have been working on improvements in each practice. I’m happy with the car and I am ready to race tomorrow.”

In the ST class, David Cheng led the way for APR as he put the no. 171 APR Tuned VW GTI ninth on the grid in the ST class, clocking a 2:08.128 in the late afternoon qualifying session. He will share the car with Aleks Altberg.

“We didn’t have the fastest car in qualifying, but we have a good race car,” said Cheng. “The guys have done a great job setting up the car, and we will be able to out-brake everyone, and get the power down sooner than everyone. If I can have a good start, and stay out of trouble, and give the car to Aleks in a competitive spot, we can get on the podium.”

After a difficult day, his teammates Juan Pablo Sierra, in the no. 181 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI, and Juan Carlos Alvarez in the no. 161 APR Tuned VW GTI, qualified 21st and 33rd, respectively. Sierra will team with Hector Guerrero, while Alvarez will turn the car over to Nate Norenberg. The no. 191 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI of Daniel LaRiva and Christian Perez did not take part in the qualifying session.

“The car is much better and we made some big improvements in the brakes,” said Sierra. “We don’t have the best qualifying position, but the car is good. We just have to drive smart and stay out of trouble, stay away from all the crashes, and we can get a good result.”

“That was my first session in the car, because of the problem we had in practice,” said Alvarez. “I just wanted to learn the track and become familiar with the car, and I need to have more confidence in the car, but I was improving and learning each lap. It will be difficult to race like this, but if I can stay on the lead lap, anything is possible.”

On Friday, the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will start its season with the BMW Performance 200 at 1:30 PM ET. Live Timing and Scoring can be seen at Grand-Am.com, and the race will be shown tape-delayed on SPEED Channel on February 4th at 12:00 PM ET.

ABOUT PR NEWSWIRE
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content – from rich media to online video to multimedia – and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world’s enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

ABOUT Parathyroid.com
Parathyroid.com is an educational website discussing the adverse health issues associated with high blood calcium. It is recognized as the leading authority on hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid tumors located in the neck which affect one in 1000 people causing high blood calcium, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression, and kidney stones, among other conditions. For more information, visit www.parathyroid.com.

ABOUT MOTUL USA
Motul USA is a world-class company specialized in distribution of high-tech synthetic lubricants formulated for powersports and automotive applications. Motul is a partner to many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological development in motorsports. It has invested in many international competitions as an official supplier for teams in: 24 Hours of Le Mans, GT1 World Championship, MotoGP, World Rally Car (WRC), Dakar® and others. For more information, log on to www.motul.com.

ABOUT APR
APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/APRMotorsport, and on twitter (@GoAPR).

Ten Reasons to Keep an Eye on APR Motorsport During the Daytona Weekend

Arin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:28:06 +0000

Team’s motto is ‘We’re not just here to race, we are here to entertain’

January 26, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – This weekend’s 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona promises to be one of the most competitive in history of the twice-around-the-clock event. While the competition amongst the dozen or so Daytona Prototypes will no doubt command the headlines, the action in the 40+ strong GT field – with the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am – is likely to steal the show.

And, don’t forget, Friday’s season-opener of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge also promises to be incredibly exciting – there’s 81 cars entered, five of them from APR Motorsport.

There are almost endless choices of teams, drivers, and cars to keep tabs on throughout the anniversary weekend at Daytona. Here are a few reasons to keep an eye on your favorite team from Alabama.

The Audi R8 Grand-Am. Grand-Am’s fans, and APR Motorsport’s customers and fans, have been waiting for this car for a long time. It will take the green flag for the first time on Saturday, and based on its endurance racing pedigree, it should run like a clock until the checkered flag falls at 3:30 PM on Sunday. We think ours looks very cool with its distinctive APR livery. And have you listened to it? It sounds like a vintage F1 car.

Stock up on energy drinks, and watch around-the-clock. When SPEED Channel goes off the air with its coverage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona at 11:00 PM ET, the race will be streamed on Speed.com until the race returns to television at 9:00 AM ET. So if you aren’t in Daytona suffering enjoying the chilly January weather, you can still watch the race from start to finish from the comfort of your own home. The coverage begins at 2:30 PM ET on Saturday, with the race going green at 3:30 PM ET.

Talk to us for 24 Hours straight. If it’s three in the morning and there is something you really need to know – how cold it is, how many energy drinks the APR Motorsport staff has had to drink, or how Emanuele prepares his pasta – just ask us a question on our Live Blog. The Live Blog, which will be available on APRMotorsport.com, will be a race-long conversation between APR Motorsport’s fans and the team and drivers.

You get to practice your Spanish. Nelson, Juan Pablo, Juan Carlos, Daniel, Hector, and Christian all speak Spanish first and English second. Pretty much the entire APR Motorsport staff speaks English first and Spanish never. You can see how this might be entertaining. (We do have bilingual people on the radio with our drivers, so don’t go and complain to Grand-Am).

We will blow up your twitter feed. Follow us at @GoAPR. Anything you want to know, and stuff you didn’t know you wanted to know, will be on twitter. If you’re not on twitter, follow us on facebook for text, photo and video updates, facebook.com/APRMotorsport.

Emanuele Pirro is driving with us. He’s won Le Mans five times times driving Audis. He’s also Italian, and as such he has put the entire APR Motorsport team on a diet of lasagna and pasta. Obviously he can turn a wheel, but he’s a genuinely nice guy, cracks jokes all the time, and is also a class winner at the Rolex 24 at Daytona – 31 years ago.

The return of Dion. Dion von Moltke was just a kid when he first drove for APR in the CTSCC, and scored three wins with the team. He’s still just a kid, a student at Florida International University, but now he’ll be driving our Audi R8 Grand-Am in his fourth Rolex 24 at Daytona.

We have a real doctor on our team. Dr. Jim Norman will drive the no. 51 APR Audi R8 Grand-Am throughout the 2012 season. ‘Dr. Jim’ has dedicated his life to the treatment of hyperparathyroidism (in real life, not on TV) and aims to raise awareness of the disease and its treatment through his website at www.parathyroid.com. His passion for it will surprise you: ask him about the disease, and before long, he will have you performing surgery.

You couldn’t miss us, even if you tried. We are bringing six cars to Daytona. Ten percent of the ST field in Friday’s BMW Performance 200 will consist of APR Tuned VWs, including two brand new Mk. 6 Jetta GLI’s. We also have two VW GTI’s in ST, a Audi S4 in GS, and of course, our Audi R8 Grand-Am in the Rolex Series. That’s only one car in Rolex, but we think it stands out from the crowd pretty well.

The weekend begins with Friday’s CTSCC season opener, the BMW Performance 200, at 1:30 PM ET. That race will be shown tape-delayed on February 4th at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED Channel, but live timing and scoring can be seen on Grand-Am.com. The 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona goes green at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, and will be broadcast on SPEED Channel and Speed.com.

ABOUT APR
APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com and follow us on facebook at facebook.com/APRMotorsport.

APR Unleashes Massive Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Program at Daytona

Arin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:47:39 +0000

Team will field armada of six cars in 2012 CTSCC with major South American influence

January 24, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – You won’t have to look far to see an APR-tuned Audi or Volkswagen in this year’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

Augmenting the previously announced no. 41 APR Tuned Audi S4 for Ian Baas and Nelson Canache in the GS class, as well as the no. 171 APR Tuned VW GTI for Aleks Altberg and David Cheng, the team will add three additional VW’s in the ST class for the 2012 season, beginning with this Friday’s BMW Performance 200 at Daytona International Speedway. The team will add yet another car to the lineup beginning with the series’ second race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, bringing the team’s CTSCC total to six cars and making APR Motorsport, along with its entry in the Rolex Series, the largest team this season in GRAND-AM.

As part of the expansion, the team will roll out a pair of brand new Mk. 6 VW Jetta GLI’s for this week’s BMW Performance 200 at Daytona. The team shook down the first Jetta at the CTSCC’s January Test Days at Daytona International Speedway, where initial feedback from the drivers was overwhelmingly positive.

Rookies Hector Guerrero and Juan Pablo Sierra Lendle, from Puebla, Mexico, will steer the new no. 181 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI. Lendle is no stranger to racing VWs, as he scored a win and numerous podiums in the VW TDI Cup USA in 2010, and has also competed in Mexico’s Formula 2000 powered by Volkswagen. He comes to APR after winning the 2011 Gran Turismo Turbo championship in Mexico, with two wins. Guerrero is a veteran of the Venezuelan GT class championship, and took the championship in 2008.

Fellow rookies Daniel LaRiva, from Anzoatequi, Venezuela and Christian Perez, from Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, will be driving the no. 191 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI in their first season in the CTSCC. LaRiva scored two wins in 2011 in Venezuela’s Super Touring GT championship, while Perez finished third in the Venezuelan South Eastern GT championship.

Returning to APR for a full season in the ST class, Nate Norenberg, from Plymouth, Minnesota, will be joined by Juan Carlos Alvarez, from Maracay, Venezuela, in the no. 161 APR Tuned VW GTI. Norenberg finished second in his debut with APR last season at Watkins Glen after beginning his professional driving career in the VW TDI Cup, while Alvarez brings a long history of sportscar, endurance racing, and Seat Leon Supercup experience to his rookie season in GRAND-AM.

“It was, without a doubt, a massive undertaking for us to field this many cars in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge,” said Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsports for APR. “There have been many long nights at the shop in preparation for Daytona, but it will be a very impressive sight with our cars lined up in the pits and together on track. Each of our cars will be capable of getting race wins and continuing APR’s competitive tradition in the CTSCC. We have won races and contended for the championship each season we have raced in the CTSCC, and our APR Tuned GTI’s and Jettas are more than capable of doing it again in 2012.”

APR’s winning record in the CTSCC is what has attracted a number of international drivers to the program in 2012. While the team has grown to accommodate the number of drivers, the staff at APR has also had to brush up on a new language to prepare for the new season.

“It is very exciting that we have attracted a large number of international drivers to our program,” said Mishtawy. “In testing, we’ve seen that they clearly have the speed and talent to drive at this level, and we will be working closely with them to develop them into winning endurance drivers. At the same time, our entire staff – and our North American drivers Nate, David, Aleks and Ian – is now learning Spanish!”

APR Motorsport’s five car CTSCC team will compete in the season-opening CTSCC race, the BMW Performance 200, this Friday at Daytona International Raceway. The race will be broadcast Saturday, February fourth, at 12:00 PM ET on SPEED Channel.

ABOUT APR
APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com, or follow the team on Facebook (facebook.com/APRMotorsport) and twitter (@GoAPR).

PRNewswire, Parathyroid.com, and Motul USA join APR Motorsport

Arin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:42:35 +0000

Companies will partner on Audi R8 Grand-Am effort in 2012 Rolex Series season

January 23, 2012 (Opelika, AL) – Bolstering APR Motorsport’s campaign in the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, the team is proud to officially announce the lineup of sponsors that will support the no. 51 APR Audi R8 Grand-Am, beginning with this weekend’s 50th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Enabling the team to achieve maximum exposure for not only itself, but for GRAND-AM road racing, PR Newswire has joined the team and will work with APR throughout the 2012 season. The team has already benefited tremendously from the arrangement, as team news has twice been displayed on PR Newswire’s giant news screen in Times Square.

“We are excited to participate in the upcoming racing season with APR Motorsports and to provide continued sponsor support to talented driver, Dion Von Moltke, as his career continues to soar,” said Scott Mozarsky, chief commercial officer, PR Newswire. “Our company helps our customers maximize the value of their content assets and we look forward to using our multimedia and distribution offerings to allow consumers, journalists and fans to best engage with the compelling videos, photos and other content being created by APR and other organizations associated with this exciting sport.”

Pioneered by Dr. Jim Norman, Parathyroid.com is the world’s leading authority on parathyroid glands and parathyroid disease. The website provides a wealth of information about Hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid mini-surgery, parathyroid tumors, parathyroid hormone problems, and high blood calcium in an easy-to-read language.

“Educating the public about Hyperparathyroidism and its treatment has been my life’s work, and I’m proud to display Parathyroid.com on the APR Audi R8 Grand-Am,” said Norman. “Through our racing efforts, I hope to educate more people about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. APR’s Rolex Series team will provide an outstanding platform to do this.”

Known the world over for the performance and quality of its products, Motul is joining the APR Motorsport team as the team’s official lubricant. The company, which pits its products to the test on tracks around the world, is continuously involved in research and development to improve the performance of its products.

“The partnership between Motul and APR Motorsport is a combination of great brands coming together to create a winning partnership,” said Joey Cabrera, Automotive Manager of Motul USA. “Not only will APR be using Motul in their race cars, but will also be distributing Motul throughout its large dealer network. We look forward to a great season of Rolex Series racing with APR.”

With the partnerships finalized, the team can focus on its ambitious 2012 racing program as it moves into the Rolex Series for the first time.

“We are thrilled to bring such a strong lineup of partners to our first season in the Rolex Sports Car Series,” said Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR. “Since we initially announced that we would be taking the Audi R8 Grand-Am to the Rolex Series, the feedback from our customers, fans, and sponsors has been nothing short of overwhelming. We look forward to working with our partners throughout the season and delivering strong results, on and off the track.”

The Rolex 24 at Daytona will kick off the 2012 Rolex Series season, on January 28-29, at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be broadcast on SPEED Channel, and on Speed.com.

ABOUT PR NEWSWIRE
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — from rich media to online video to multimedia — and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world’s enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

APR Presents The North American Golf R ECU Upgrade!

Arin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:14:37 +0000

APR Presents our 2.0T Tuning Package for the North American Volkswagen Golf R!

Volkswagen Automotive Group’s 2.0T found in the Golf R is the world’s premiere 4 cylinder turbocharged engine and APR has developed a line of premiere performance enhancements to compliment VAG’s achievement. APR’s expertly recalibrated engine management upgrades and professionally engineered OEM replacement performance engine components result in an even more enjoyable, powerful and efficient operation with no loss of life or use. APR’s complete line of performance enhancements have been developed for the 2.0T to provide increases of 83 FT-LBS of torque and 79 HP with an APR ECU and Hardware upgrades.

APR’s Software, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Teams have built upon years of experience and unmatched accomplishments with VAG’s standard 200HP 2.0T FSI engine to develop new breakthroughs in drivability and performance enhancement for the Golf R 2.0T. APR has been able to fully realize the upgrades VAG provided in increased engine durability, efficiency and performance to deliver a tuning program that is the culmination of 9 years of research and development and unparalleled in the performance aftermarket. Read More!

MASON BACK FOR FOURTH SEASON OF RACING CUP ACTION

Arin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:56:17 +0000

Aaron Mason, a third-place finisher in the APR Volkswagen Racing Cup twice in the last three years, is to return to the championship in 2012 with a three-car assault on the title.

The 32-year-old from Doncaster expects to start the season at the wheel of an AWM Motor Sport Golf GTI similar to that which netted him four race victories in 2011, but says he could switch to a Scirocco.

“There are a few options open to us,” says building company MD Mason, “and one of them is to build a completely new car. There are a number of Sciroccos coming in and it may prove to be the car to beat.

“I am certainly going to go for another shot at the championship and I am hoping that it’s going to be a good, close and competitive season – it would be nice to win it after a good battle with some strong competitors.”

Mason came into the series as a racing rookie in 2009 and enjoyed immediate success, taking championship third. He claimed his first race wins in 2010, and won at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone last season on his way to third in the title race once again.

“What cost me the championship last year was a sticking rear brake at Oulton Park, and then another brake problem at Zandvoort, which caused me to go off.” Despite these mishaps Mason finished and scored in every round, but the greater consistency of Steve Chaplin and James Walker helped them out-point the Yorkshireman.

Mason’s team-mates in the AWM squad will be motorsport newcomer Simon Tomlinson and experienced saloons racer Stewart Lines, who has Clio Cup, SEAT Challenge and Mini Challenge experience and who took part in the final two meetings of the 2011 Volkswagen Racing Cup season; both will drive Golf GTIs. Mason says AWM may yet field a fourth car.

The APR Volkswagen Racing Cup grid is shaping up to be as large and competitive as ever. KPM Racing has announced plans to field a six-car team, including Sciroccos for James Walker and Craig Milner, while 2011’s top rookie, Tom Wilson, is set to return in a two-car team with his father, Jonathan, at the wheel of a Scirocco.

The APR Volkswagen Racing Cup was established in the UK in 2000 and is entering its 13th season as the sole saloon-racing supporting event to British GT and British F3. This year the championship will also race at Brands Hatch alongside the German touring car championship and at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium as a supporting event to the 25-hour Fun Cup.

APR Motorsport bolsters technical staff with the addition of Mark Scott as team’s Chief Engineer

Arin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:39:19 +0000

January 18, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – APR Motorsport is proud to announce the addition of Mark Scott to the technical staff of its Rolex Series program. Effective immediately, Scott will oversee the development of the team’s Audi R8 Grand-Am, serving as the team’s lead engineer.

Scott – originally from England, now residing in Indianapolis – was almost literally born with gas in his veins when he was born above the gas station owned by his father. Beginning as a mechanic and amateur driver, Scott’s motorsports career spans nearly forty years and covers everything from Formula Ford to Formula 1. While a mechanic at McLaren International, Scott was a part of the 1976 World Championship team with driver James Hunt. In 1984, Scott came to the United States for the first time as a Lead mechanic of Mayer Motor Racing’s Indianapolis 500 team, before moving to a Chief Mechanic and trackside engineering role for the Buick Indy program.

In North America, Scott is best-known as half of former chassis constructor Riley & Scott. The company’s best-known creation, the Riley & Scott Mk. III, dominated prototype racing in IMSA and the USRRC with 48 wins – including three wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona – 38 pole positions, six driver’s championships and three constructors’ championships. Riley & Scott also designed and developed the Cadillac Northstar LMP as well as chassis for the Trans-Am series. Returning to open-wheels, Scott operated the company’s IndyCar program in 1998 and 1999.

More recently, Scott has operated Prototype Development, which creates prototype parts in the auto racing, marine, and aircraft industries. Over the past two seasons, Scott has served as the race strategist and team manager for Genoa Racing in the American Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series.

“I’ve always had a passion for sports car racing, and joining APR Motorsport is very exciting for me,” said Scott. “The Audi R8 Grand-Am is a very impressive car and I’m glad to have the chance to work with the team and its drivers to develop the car into a winner, especially in such a competitive season of GT-class racing. I have many great memories from the Rolex 24 at Daytona and am looking forward to being back for the 50th anniversary of the race at the end of the month.”

Scott’s first race weekend with the team will be the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona, which takes place in two weeks on January 28-29 at Daytona International Speedway.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to APR Motorsport,” said Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsport for APR. “We recognized that Mark will bring a lot of skill to our Rolex Series program with our new Audi R8 Grand-Am. With the amount of success that he has enjoyed in endurance racing, we feel he will immediately make an impact with our program.”

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

APR Motorsport’s Volkswagens and Audis fly on the high banks of Daytona

Arin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:28:08 +0000

Team’s cars show speed in both CTSCC classes in January Test Days

January 12, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – APR Motorsport showed the beginnings of another strong season in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at this weekend’s January Test Days, with their fleet of APR tuned Audis and Volkswagens taking part in three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway.

For the first time, Nelson Canache from Caracas, Venezuela joined Ian Baas in the no. 41 APR Tuned Audi S4. The duo will contest the entire CTSCC season in the GS class, and the team’s new S4 was on the pace with both drivers behind the wheel.

As a rookie in the series, Canache impressed the team with his pace and his feedback as he adapted to the team, track, and the car on Daytona’s high banks. Canache will also take part in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the team’s Audi R8 Grand-Am.

“I am really enjoying driving the APR Audi S4,” said Canache. “I am getting a lot of good feedback from Ian and the team, which is helping me to improve. This is my first time at Daytona, and my first time in a four-wheel-drive car, but the car is very fast and has great top speed. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Baas, who has developed the Audi S4 for the GS class over the past two seasons, was also excited after spending three day’s in APR’s newest S4.

“The APR Audi S4 was really good from the first lap, and we were able to carry out three good days of development on the car,” said Baas. “This is a new car so we are still learning a bit. We don’t have the ultimate speed, but we have a car that is very consistent over a stint and has great top speed. Driving with Nelson here this weekend has been great as well – we both have similar styles and we can learn a lot from each other.”

Also making their debut with APR and in the CTSCC, teammates Aleks Altberg and David Cheng wheeled the no. 171 APR Tuned throughout three trouble-free days of testing. No. 171, made famous throughout multiple seasons of CTSCC competition, demonstrated its speed with its two new drivers.

“I had a little bit of a learning curve – I have raced front-wheel drive, but never on a high-banked track like Daytona,” said Altberg. “The high speed braking took some time to get used to but I got comfortable quickly and the car was a ton of fun to drive. I think we have a competitive car and we should be looking good when we come back here for the Grand-Am 200.”

Cheng was equally optimistic after quickly acclimating himself to the GTI and spending his first weekend with the APR Motorsport team.

“We had a great weekend testing the GTI,” said Cheng. “Aleks was on the pace right away and like always I had a great time driving with him. The team gave us a fast car and we were consistently fast, and able to make improvements each session. I’m looking forward to a great year with the team.”

The team also unveiled, for the first time, the no. 181 APR Tuned VW Jetta GLI. Put through its paces by team veterans Nate Norenberg and Josh Hurley, the car was also used to evaluate several drivers new to the team during the January Test Days. An exciting announcement about those drivers and the CTSCC season is coming from APR in the next few days.

“Just as the customers and fans of APR have become accustomed to seeing, our Continental program looks to be as strong as ever,” said Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsport for APR. “Nelson and Ian had the Audi S4 up to speed right away and ran strong all weekend, as did Aleks and David in our GTI. We ran into a couple of issues with our new Jetta GLI but we still learned a lot and did a lot of driver evaluation with that car. We are looking good for our first race back in Daytona at the end of the month – and we’re coming back with more cars.”

The GRAND-AM 200 – the opening race of the 2012 CTSCC season – will be run on Friday, July 27, at 1:30 PM ET at Daytona International Speedway.

TUNING GIANT APR TO SPONSOR VOLKSWAGEN RACING CUP

Arin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:08:03 +0000

The Volkswagen Racing Cup is to enter the 2012 season with a new title sponsor – US Volkswagen Group tuning specialist APR, which is backing Britain’s most competitive and best-supported one-make saloon series as part of a new push into Europe.

Alabama-based APR, one of the biggest names in the world of Porsche, Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen aftermarket performance products, has set up its European headquarters in Milton Keynes alongside those of Volkswagen Racing UK, and is set to become not just the championship’s title sponsor but also a technical partner.

APR will assist with scrutineering and offer technical assistance to competitors in the APR Volkswagen Racing Cup. “APR was established in 1997 and has many years of motorsport experience in the USA,” said vice-president Keith Lucas, “and it is a logical progression for us to bring the expertise we have gained to the European motorsport market and to offer it to competitors here.

“Britain is the ideal place for us to start our European programme and the Volkswagen Racing Cup is a natural partner for us. It is a great championship and the competitors are enthusiastic and driven, just like APR.”

Sam Roach of Volkswagen Racing UK welcomed APR to the series: “It’s a great fit – APR has built a peerless reputation in the world of motorsport and aftermarket Volkswagen performance parts and the company’s knowledge and experience will prove a major benefit to the championship.”

In the United States, APR Motorsport has enjoyed major success over several seasons in GRAND-AM sports car racing – the team is set to contest the Rolex 24 at Daytona later this month with the first Audi R8 LMS in North America – and also races two Mk VI Golf GTIs and three Mk VI Jetta GLIs in the ST class of the GRAND-AM challenge.

The Volkswagen Racing Cup was established in the UK in 2000 and is entering its 13th season as the sole saloon- racing supporting event to British GT and British F3. This year the championship will also race at Brands Hatch alongside the German touring car championship and at Spa- Francorchamps in Belgium as a supporting event to the 25- hour Fun Cup.

2012 APR Volkswagen Racing Cup provisional calendar
Oulton Park	09 Apr	British F3/GT
Brands Hatch Indy	20 May	DTM
Rockingham	10 Jun	British F3/GT
Spa-Francorchamps	07 Jul	Spa 25H Fun Cup
Snetterton 300	05 Aug	British F3/GT
Silverstone GP	09 Sep	British F3/GT
Donington Park GP	30 Sep	British F3/GT

APR Motorsport Breaks in their Audi R8 GRAND-AM at Roar Before the 24

Arin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:59:58 +0000

Team unveils striking livery while undertaking testing program at Daytona International Speedway

January 11, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – For the first time, the howl of the 5.2 liter V-10 engine in the no. 51 APR Audi R8 Grand-Am echoed off of the high banks of Daytona, as the Alabama-based team made their first step to a season of GRAND-AM Rolex Series competition by participating in this weekend’s annual Roar Before the 24 test.

Working through a few teething problems that cropped up as their Audi R8 Grand-Am hit the track for the very first time, drivers Ian Baas, Nelson Canache, Dr. Jim Norman, Emanuele Pirro and Dion von Moltke received solid seat time in the car. A standout from the moment it rolled out of APR’s transporter, the Audi turned heads throughout the weekend.

Pirro returned to Daytona for the first time in 31 years and recorded the best lap time for the team at a 1:52.480. While he provided invaluable experience that can only come with five wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans, he enjoyed his time at Daytona and with APR Motorsport.

“We have enjoyed three very good days of testing here in Daytona,” said Pirro. “We came here all with very little knowledge about the Audi R8 Grand-Am, and we are still in a learning process to see what the car wants and how it wants to be driven. A lot of things here are very new – the team is new to the series, the race is new, the car is new, and most of the drivers haven’t worked together before. Any one of these things would be a big task, but all of these things mean it’s a huge task. We are putting as many parts of the puzzle together in order to be ready. The team will have a lot of work with three days of information to work through.

“It has been really, really nice to be back at Daytona. This is a race I always wanted to do and I’m really happy to have the chance. This is a unique situation for me because I also have a lot to learn, but it has been a very enjoyable experience with APR.”

Beginning their first Rolex Series campaign as teammates, Norman and von Moltke left with positive feelings about APR and the team’s new Audi R8 Grand-Am.

“We have a good lineup and we accomplished a lot during this test,” said von Moltke. “Everyone worked together well and we are going to continue working together throughout the next two weeks before the Rolex 24 at Daytona. I’m really looking forward to putting what we have learned here into effect and showing up at the 24 to show the true potential of the Audi R8 Grand-Am and APR.”

“What an amazing car and what a great weekend in Daytona,” said Norman. “We all had a lot of work to get comfortable with the car and find a setup that works well for all of us. But the team worked hard and the car got better each day, and we are all feeling really good about coming back in three weeks for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.”

The task of preparing the team and infrastructure of the APR Motorsport team, which has competed in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge for five seasons, to be ready for the Rolex Series fell to APR’s Director of Motorsports, Jeff Mishtawy. After the team’s first weekend, he was pleased with the results.

“The test weekend was great not only in that we got to evaluate where we are at with the R8, but where the team is at with the move to the Rolex Series,” said Mishtawy. “We did encounter some struggles but the team worked through all of them. All of our drivers did a great job giving us feedback throughout the weekend, and I think we all learned a lot from Emanuele. We will now go back and evaluate everything, and be as prepared as we can be for our first Rolex 24 at Daytona.”

The team will be back in Daytona for the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which begins at 3:30 PM ET on January 28 and finishes one day later, on January 29, at 3:30 PM ET. Sixteen hours of the race will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel, with the remaining eight hours available online at Speed.com.

ABOUT PR NEWSWIRE
PR Newswire (www.prnewswire.com) is the premier global provider of multimedia platforms that enable marketers, corporate communicators, sustainability officers, public affairs and investor relations officers to leverage content to engage with all their key audiences. Having pioneered the commercial news distribution industry 57 years ago, PR Newswire today provides end-to-end solutions to produce, optimize and target content — from rich media to online video to multimedia — and then distribute content and measure results across traditional, digital, mobile and social channels. Combining the world’s largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimization network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world’s enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, and is a UBM plc company.

And the Winner of the APR Stage III Raffle is…

Arin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:36:36 +0000

The APR Stage III Raffle is over and we have a winner folks! Drumroll Please!!!! Chris Ortiz of Valley Steam NY, Congratulations! You just won an APR Stage III Turbocharger System for your Audi or VW! Please call us ASAP at (334) 502-5181 to choose your kit. To everyone else who participated this year, thank you for entering! We’ll run another raffle at our BBQ and once again in December. Stay tuned for more news, photos, videos and other contests throughout the year!

Five-time LeMans winner Emanuele Pirro joins APR Motorsport for Rolex 24 at Daytona

Arin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:50:31 +0000

Pirro and Nelson Canache round out driver roster for APR Motorsport

Jan. 4, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – Bolstering its first effort on the Rolex 24 at Daytona, APR Motorsport is proud to announce Emanuele Pirro – a man synonymous with Audi and success in endurance racing – will be behind the wheel of the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am for this year’s 24-hour classic.

“I would like to thank APR for giving me this opportunity to drive in one of the classic 24-hour races,” said Pirro. “I have a lot to learn, and I hope to be able, together with the rest of the APR Motorsport team, to finish the race in a good position to make the best possible introduction of the Audi R8 Grand-Am in the American market. I know the race will be super competitive. I am ready for it; I am well trained; I am in very good shape and very motivated. I will have a very open-minded approach, as I have very limited experience in the GT class, although I have overtaken tons of them in 10 years of prototype racing!”

Pirro’s success with Audi dates back to 1994 when he took the Italian Touring Car Championship at the wheel of an Audi 80 sedan. Sports car fans in America will undoubtedly link him to Audi’s legendary R8 and R10 LMP racers, which Pirro drove to five wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as two championships in the American Le Mans Series. After retiring from active competition with Audi, Pirro drove in select ALMS races in the Drayson Lola – earning himself a spot on SpeedHunters.com’s Greatest 20 Overtakes with a daring move to take the lead at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010.

However, despite his many successes with Audi at LeMans, Daytona holds a special place in Pirro’s heart as he scored a class win in the 1981 race at the tender age of 19.

“The Rolex 24 at Daytona has a very special meaning for me,” said Pirro. “It was my very first car race outside of Italy, driving the Lancia Montecarlo Turbo in the World Endurance Championship opening round. My racing experience was very limited, and the longest race I had done was 25 minutes. I remember the first time I saw the track. I was almost shocked! After this fantastic experience, when I came back to Italy I was celebrated as a hero. I never went back and now, after 31 years, I am really excited about it.”

Rounding out the driver lineup for APR Motorsport will be Venezuelan Nelson Canache. A two-time champion in the Venezuelan Super Touring GT class, Canache spent his 2011 season competing in the Seat Leon Super Cup in Mexico as well as the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Championship. This will be the first Rolex 24 at Daytona for the Caracas native.

“I am extremely excited for my first attempt at the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Canache. “Daytona is one of the most famous racetracks in the world, and the 24 Hours is well-known in Venezuela. APR Motorsport is a great team, and I think we are going to have a great run in the 24 Hours later this month.”

With the driving lineup of the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am solidified, Stephen Hooks, president and CEO of APR, is anxiously awaiting the green flag at the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the end of the month.

“To have the chance to bring Emanuele on board for the Rolex 24 at Daytona is a dream come true,” said Hooks. “He’s one of the most successful endurance racers of our time and a hero to Audi fans all over the world. For us, he will be a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience that we, as a team, can draw from. We aren’t underestimating the challenge of finishing the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but having Emanuele join APR gives everyone a big boost of confidence.

“Nelson tested with us recently, and he showed outstanding pace and gave great feedback in an unfamiliar car, setting a track record in his second on-track session. He will be a great addition to the team of Dion, Dr. Jim, Ian and of course, Emanuele.”

The APR drivers will get behind the wheel of the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am for the first time at this weekend’s Roar Before the 24, Friday January 6 through Sunday January 8, at Daytona International Speedway.

ABOUT APR

APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com.

ABOUT AUDI

Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT Parathyroid.com

Parathyroid.com is an educational website discussing the adverse health issues associated with high blood calcium. It is recognized as the leading authority on hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid tumors located in the neck which affect one in 1000 people causing high blood calcium, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, depression and kidney stones, among other conditions. Parathyroid.com is an educational website discussing the adverse health issues associated with high blood calcium.

David Cheng and Aleks Altberg join APR Motorsport for 2012 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge

Arin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:36:21 +0000

Young duo aiming for success in first season of GRAND-AM competition

January 2, 2012 (Opelika, Ala.) – APR is pleased to announce the signing of talented duo of Aleks Altberg and David Cheng to steer the no. 171 APR Volkswagen GTI in the ST class in the 2012 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. While both are newcomers to the CTSCC – and both barely old enough to drink champagne in victory circle – the teammates will be aiming at bringing home their first ST class championship in the New Year.

Chinese-born Cheng, who calls Sammamish, Wash. home, brings a wealth of endurance racing and open-wheel experience to APR. Cheng had a busy 2011 racing season, competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, scoring a podium in his first American Le Mans Series race, taking five wins in the Pacific F2000 championship, as well as a full season assault in the Scirocco R-Cup Asia, where he scored a second at the Merdeka Millenium 12 Hour Endurance race at Sepang, Malaysia – where he partnered with Altberg. A former class winner at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, Cheng is no stranger to the speed and strategy necessary to be a winner in endurance racing.

“Competing in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier that I will compete full time this season with Aleks as my co-driver, and with a winning team like APR,” said Cheng. “APR is the premier team in the CTSCC, and their record of victories speaks for itself. Aleks and I are looking to add to that number and bring home an ST championship!”

Altberg, from Mill Valley, Calif., will contest his first full season of endurance racing with APR. After earning Rookie of the Year honors in his first season at the Jim Russell International Racing Series, Altberg graduated to touring cars and partnered with Cheng to score the podium result at the Merdeka Millenium 12 Hour Endurance race. A quick study to new forms of machinery, Altberg is looking forward to sampling the APR Volkswagen for the first time at Daytona.

“It is great to have the opportunity to be a part of APR and to race with David this year,” said Altberg. “The transition from open-wheel cars to sedans is a big one, but I really enjoyed racing with David in the Scirocco R-Cup last season and I know we can have a lot of success in the CTSCC with APR. They are the team to beat and I can’t wait for our season to start in Daytona.”

Cheng and Altberg will join APR for the first time at the January Test Days at Daytona International Speedway on January 6-8, before the first race of the season, the GRAND-AM 200, at Daytona on January 26-27.

“David and Aleks are both young, talented drivers that will do great things with APR this season,” said Stephen Hooks, president and CEO of APR. “Everyone at APR is excited to have them join us and we can’t wait to watch them drive the no. 171 APR Volkswagen GTI to the front in 2012.”

About APR
APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, Ala. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com.

It’s here!

Arin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:37:52 +0000

Click the image for a large 1920×1200px Desktop Wallpaper!

Dion Von Moltke, Dr. Jim Norman to anchor APR Motorsport Audi R8 GRAND-AM in Rolex Series

Arin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:27:02 +0000

Duo to be joined by Ian Baas at Rolex 24 at Daytona and Six Hours at the Glen

Dec. 14, 2011 (Opelika, Ala.) – APR Motorsport is proud to announce the driver pairing of Dion von Moltke and Dr. Jim Norman in the team’s Audi R8 GRAND-AM for the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season.

When he slides behind the steering wheel of the APR Motorsport Audi R8 GRAND-AM, von Moltke, from Coral Gables, Fla., will return home to the team in which he started his professional driving career. Von Molkte competed with APR in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 2008 and 2009, taking three wins before moving to the Daytona Prototype ranks in 2010. The South African, also a student at Florida International University, returns to APR with a wealth of endurance racing experience under his belt with finishes at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

“This is a dream come true!” said von Moltke. “I started my professional racing career with APR, and to have the opportunity to come back to such a first class winning organization, and then to be the first one racing the Audi R8 GRAND-AM – can it get any better than this? This is like going home, but the series and fan base is stronger than ever, and APR has developed its winning program to an even higher level. For me and my partners, PRNewswire and South African Airways, this will be a long-term relationship with APR and Audi. It will be all about success on the track, every single weekend.”

Veteran driver Norman will join von Moltke for the duration of the season. Norman, an airplane racer turned racecar driver, quickly transitioned from his first season of Skip Barber competition in 2007 to competing in Porsche Cup cars throughout 2011, where he took the IMSA Mission Foods GT3 Challenge championship. He also scored a fourth at the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as at Petit Le Mans in GT-C – partnered in both races by von Moltke. Professionally, Norman is a surgeon, and one of the world’s foremost authorities on parathyroid disease.

“I’m very excited about joining the winning APR Motorsport team for the upcoming Rolex Series season,” said Norman. “I have really enjoyed racing with Dion and am really looking forward to spending an entire season as his teammate. I’m really excited for the Audi fans as well, who will get to see and hear the Audi R8 GRAND-AM this season. We will put on a great show for them at some of the greatest racetracks in North America.”

“I am so happy that Dr. Jim is joining me in the car,” added von Moltke. “He raced with me last year, and I have watched him grow into a series champion who I’m excited to share the car with. Together, we will win some races this year.”

For the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Six Hours at the Glen, longtime APR Motorsport driver Ian Baas from Noblesville, Ind., will join von Moltke and Norman. A winner at the Rolex 24 in 2006, Baas will greatly augment the team’s chances for success in the endurance races, as well as be an invaluable asset during the team’s testing program.

“I am extremely happy to be a part of this historical season with APR Motorsport and Audi,” said Baas. “We have had a lot of success with the VAG brands starting in 2008 with the VW GTIs, and now to move up to the GT category with the already successful Audi R8 GRAND-AM is a match made in heaven!”

“We are very happy with putting together the team of Dion, Jim, and Ian for the 2012 Rolex Series season in our brand-new Audi R8 GRAND-AM,” said Stephen Hooks, president and CEO of APR. “Bringing the Audi R8 GRAND-AM to the Rolex Series for the first time will be a challenge, but we have three very capable drivers that will be more than up to the very stiff competition in the Rolex Series GT class. With Daytona right around the corner, the team is flat out getting prepared to give our three drivers the best chance possible at a win.”

Von Moltke, Norman, and Baas will turn their first laps in the APR Audi R8 GRAND-AM at the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 6-8, 2012.

ABOUT APR

ABOUT AUDI

Audi Impressive in First Rolex Series Test

Arin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:44:08 +0000

There were a lot of “ooohs” and “ahhhhs” at Daytona International Speedway when Audi Sport Customer Racing of Germany tested its new Audi R8 GRAND-AM for the first time in America.

Not only did the red, white and blue car look spectacular, it performed flawlessly in the two-day session.

“This was a new experience for us,” said Romolo Liebchen, Audi’s head of customer racing. “This was the first time for Audi at Daytona. We got a lot of good information from Bilstein and our partners, and tried to do some setup at Paul Richard. Obviously, we were not so wrong. I think we are on our way.

“For me, this has always been a dream,” Liebchen added. “I was here the first time in 1999. The name, Rolex 24, for me, it’s one of the most important races, requires the most endurance. I have said we have to come here so that one day we may win this race. Audi must win this race one day, maybe not the first time out, but one day.”

Frank Stippler drove the car throughout the test. He’s no stranger to Daytona, having raced in the 2008 Rolex 24 for Farnbacher Loles Racing.

The car arrived in America on the eve of the test – with the team working on the new car in the parking lot of a nearby hotel on Monday to get it prepared. The preparation paid off, with several prospective customers very impressed with the new car.

“A lot of history is being made here, with the first run for the new Audi,” said APR owner Stephen Hooks. “I’ve spent a lot of time with our German counterparts. They’re working on reliability and gathering a lot of data while learning about the Continental tires. So far, I’ve been really impressed. The reliability has been fantastic and they’ll work on the speed concepts as they move forward.”

Jeff Mishtawy, APR’s director of motorsport, is also eager to work with the new car.

“It’s an unbelievably good-looking car, and it looks even better on the banks of Daytona,” Mishtawy said.

APR Motorsport fielded an Audi S4 in the Grand Sport class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge in 2011, in addition to fielding Volkswagens in Street Tuner. In addition to mulling a move to the Rolex Series, APR looks to run in both CTSCC classes in 2012.

“Moving to GT would be part of our evolution,” Mishtawy said. “We took the step from ST to GS, and it would be an even bigger step to GT. But I don’t think it’s out of the reach of our team. If it works out, we’ll be focused on trying to make it the biggest success we can.”

Another interested spectator was APR driver Ian Baas, 2006 GT winner of the Rolex 24.

“The car looks great on the track,” Baas said. “It’s definitely going to be a force next year. It’s been very successful over in Europe, and I don’t think it will be any big issue to be quick and a winner over here right out of the box.”

Audi built the new car specifically for the Rolex Series. While it does not plan to run a car in the Rolex 24, it is eager to support any customer teams.

“My feeling is we will have two cars in the Rolex 24,” Liebchen said. “We will try to support them as much as possible so they can get a good result. Two cars would be fine for me.”

APR Winter Sale and Stage III Raffle!

Arin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:47:43 +0000

APR’s entire product line is on sale from ECU Upgrades to Stage 3 Turbocharger Systems.

Nov 24th to Jan 2nd

ECU Upgrade Sale:

All 2.0T FSI or TSI or 2.7T – $599 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1,203
All B8 3.0 TFSI – $1,499 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $2,105
All 1.8T – $499 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1103
All VR6, 2.5L, 4.2L, are $100 off! Normal Price $499-$599
All A6 3.0T, 4.2T, 4.2L V8 FSI, 5.2L V10 FSI, Porsche and Exotics are 10% off!

Existing customers may upgrade to a Fully Loaded ECU for $149.

Or buy a single program only and get $50 off!

Fully Loaded ECU’s – Your Choice of 4 of the Following Programs:

Stock Mode :: Exact Original Mapping and Performance
91 Octane Performance
93 Octane Performance
100 Octane Performance
Valet Mode :: Limits RPMs and Power Output

Also Included:

Fault Code Erase :: Erases Fault ECU Fault Codes
Security Lockout :: Locks Advanced Functionality of Cruise Control, Password Protected
Anti-Theft :: Disables Throttle to Render Vehicle Inoperable, Password Protected

APR Hardware Sale:

APR Carbonio Carbon Fiber Intakes 10% Off!
APR Stage 3 and K04 Turbocharger Systems 10% Off Most Systems!
APR Exhausts Systems 10% Off!
APR Intercooler Systems 10% Off!
APR Supercharger CPS Systems 10% Off!
APR Bipipe 10% Off!
APR R1 Diverter Valve 10%!
APR Motorsport Items including Silicone Hoses and APR FSI Fuel Pump 15% Off!
APR Brembo Brake Kits – Free Shipping!
DXD Clutch Kits – Free Shipping!

It’s that time of the year again when APR gives one lucky APR supporter a Free APR Stage III of their choice!*

Every purchase at www.goapr.com of $1000 or more will be automatically entered into the Raffle for a Free APR Stage III!*

Gift Certificates also apply towards automatic raffle entry so tell your loved ones!

This is the best time of the year to purchase the K04 Turbo Upgrade, Intercooler, High Pressure Fuel Pump or Exhaust System you’ve had your eye on.

Take advantage of the best pricing this year on APR Performance Products and get your chance to win an APR Stage III!

Already purchased an ECU Upgrade that was more than $1000 in price? No worries! As long as you purchased today till the end of December, you are automatically entered! Purchase any APR DPP ECU Upgrade from anywhere in the world from now until January 6th with a retail price of $1000USD or more get an automatic entry into the APR Stage III Raffle!

But if you’re already purchased everything we have to offer, don’t worry, we still have another way for you to enter and it’s free!

Simply Join our Facebook Page and fill out the short survey.

It’s that simple!

The drawing will be held on January 6, 2012 at 6pm CST and the winner will be announced on our facebook page: http://fb.me/APRMotorsport and on www.goapr.com.

To Find the Closest Authorized APR Dealer Near You Visit: http://www.goapr.com/dealer

GOAPR!

APR MOTORSPORT PRESENTS THE AUDI R8 LMS

Arin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:32:45 +0000

APR MOTORSPORT PRESENTS THE AUDI R8 LMS

Team will contest 2012 Rolex Series season with first Audi R8 LMS in North America, beginning with 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona

November 23, 2011 (Opelika, AL) – APR Motorsport is proud to announce that it will become the first team to compete in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series with the Audi R8 LMS, when the team takes the green flag for January’s 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28, 2012 – and, hopefully, is first to the checkered flag on January 29.

Passion for the Audi brand runs deep at APR. Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR, was an aspiring driver and Audi enthusiast who raced Audis in the Motorola Cup – the predecessor to GRAND-AM. After leaving his driving ambitions to build APR into the largest aftermarket and motorsport company for Audis worldwide, Hooks returned to competition as a principal in APR Motorsport. The team was the first to race Audi’s newest and hottest sedan, the B8 model generation Audi S4, in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Being the first team to field the R8 LMS in North America is a natural progression for APR Motorsport.

The winning pedigree of APR Motorsport’s brand-new Audi R8 LMS, the first example built for the Rolex Series, is undoubtedly strong as well. Examples of the Audi R8 LMS have taken victory more than one hundred times in races in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Now, APR’s customers – as well as Audi fans from Ingolstadt to Alabama – will cheer on the APR Audi R8 LMS as it seeks to add to the win tally.

Building upon experience gained in the CTSCC, APR Motorsport will now have the Rolex Series’ Grand Touring class looking over its shoulders with the series’ newest major contender, the Audi R8 LMS. Using the same team and infrastructure that has made the team a force to be reckoned with in the CTSCC, the team will now look to shake up the status quo of the Rolex Series – which has seen the series dominated by the same three manufacturers over the past several seasons.

The Audi R8 LMS, which is already a proven platform for success in GT racing the world over, will have the rest of the GT field looking over its shoulders. APR Motorsport also remains committed to discovering and developing the best driving talent found today in GRAND-AM.

Teams hoping that this will spell and end to APR Motorsport’s efforts in the CTSCC will be disappointed, as the team will continue its CTSCC program in 2012, with an exciting announcement about that program coming soon. APR Motorsport will make further announcements about drivers for the APR Audi R8 LMS, as well as marketing partners, in the coming weeks.

APR Motorsport’s Audi R8 LMS will make its on-track debut – dressed in the distinctive APR Motorsport livery – at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Raceway on January 6-8, 2012.

ABOUT APR

APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, AL. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s sole mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance parts available for Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com.

ABOUT AUDI

The APR Stage III Raffle is Now Live!

Arin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:05:12 +0000

It’s that time of the year again when APR gives one lucky APR supporter a Free APR Stage III of their choice!*

Every purchase at www.goapr.com of $1000 or more will be automatically entered into the Raffle for a Free APR Stage III!*

Gift Certificates also apply towards automatic raffle entry so tell your loved ones!

This is the best time of the year to purchase the K04 Turbo Upgrade, Intercooler, High Pressure Fuel Pump or Exhaust System you’ve had your eye on.

Take advantage of the best pricing this year on APR Performance Products and get your chance to win an APR Stage III!

But if you’re already purchased everything we have to offer, don’t worry, we still have another way for you to enter and it’s free!

Simply Join our Facebook Page and fill out the short survey.

It’s that simple!

The drawing will be held on January 6, 2012 at 6pm CST and the winner will be announced on our facebook page: http://fb.me/APRMotorsport and on www.goapr.com.

APR 2.0 TSI Stage III+ Turbocharger System!

Arin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:00:08 +0000

Building upon over thirteen years experience turbocharging Audi/VW engines, including four with the 2.0 TSI, APR’s Engineers have once again taken the TSI to ground breaking levels of performance. APR is pleased to introduce the 2.0 TSI Stage III+ Turbocharger System producing 451 horsepower on standard 93 octane pump fuel and 501 horsepower on 100 octane race fuel! Thanks to APR’s advanced real time engine management calibration capabilities, the Stage III+ turbocharger spool is lightning fast with a nearly flat torque curve from 3500 RPM all the way to redline. In all driving conditions, Stage III+ has power instantly on tap to pull you back in your seat and put a huge grin on your face. Read More…

APR Presents: 1.8 TSI K04 Turbocharger System!

Arin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:37:15 +0000

APR’s Transverse 1.8 TSI Audi S3 and VW Golf R Engine Conversion Packages will upgrade your current factory rated 158hp and 180lb-ft Transverse 1.8 TSI Engine with all of the necessary OEM components from the European Audi S3 and VW Golf R and meticulously recalibrated Engine Management to produce 330 horsepower and 335lb-ft of torque on 98 RON gas. Read more

APR Presents: 2011/2012 2.0 TSI ECU Upgrades (CC/Passat/Tiguan/Eos/Jetta/GLI/Beetle)

Arin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:57:31 +0000

APR is pleased to announce 2011/2012 Model Year 2.0 TSI ECU Upgrades are now available for the Jetta, GLI, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Beetle and Eos! Delivering 254 HP and 303 TQ with an APR Stage I Upgrade and over 400 HP with an APR Stage III Turbocharger System, APR customers can experience the same power levels previous model year customers have enjoyed for years.

In late 2010, VW began delivering several 2011 Model Year vehicles with Bosch’s MED 17.5.2 ECU featuring a new Infineon Tri-Core 1767 processor. Launching a new processor type requires the expertise of APR’s Electrical Engineers to fully dissect, reverse engineer and gain a deep intimate knowledge of the new architecture before software development can begin.

Earlier this year, APR acquired all new MK6 Jetta to showcase the awesome potential of the 2.0 TSI engine. Upon delivery in May, APR found the Jetta was equipped with the new MED 17.5.2 ECU and required extensive development to meet expectations of an early delivery at Waterfest, 2011. With months of R&D previously dedicated to the new ECU, APR was able to write software and engineer a 500 HP 2.0 TSI APR Stage 4 Engine Package, completing this seemingly impossible project before the GLI had even been released to the North American market.

APR’s Electrical Engineers were then tasked with creating tools necessary for any APR Dealer to flash the ECU in a convenient manner. APR has continued to reinvest in human capital and as the Engineering department continues to grow, development of new ECU types should be available at a more rapid rate in the future.

APR’s forthcoming Universal Programming Device will allow APR Dealers to flash a multitude of ECU makes and models in house without sending customer ECUs to APR’s HQ. APR anticipates dealer flashing by December 2011. While development of this tool continues, ECUs can be sent directly to APR’s HQ for upgrading using the APR ECU Order Form. For those unfamiliar with removing and mailing an ECU, please review APR’s various ECU removal guides or visit one of our many APR Dealers for assistance. Depending on the ECU, please allow a one to two business day turn around.

ECU Software is now available for the following vehicles:

2011-2012 – CC – 2.0 TSI

2011-2012 – Passat – 2.0 TSI

2011-2012 – Tiguan – 2.0 TSI

2011-2012 – Jetta – 2.0 TSI

2012 – Jetta GLI – 2.0 TSI

2011-2012 – Eos – 2.0 TSI

2012 – The Beetle – 2.0 TSI

All other existing 2.0 TSI ECU upgrades are still available at APR dealers around the world.

APR has the following stages available with APR’s Patented EMCS Programs Switching features:

APR Stage I
For use on a completely stock vehicle, or with light bolt on modifications.

APR Stage II
For use with a high flow exhaust system and other bolt on modifications.

APR K04 Turbocharger System
Included with purchase of our APR K04 Turbocharger System.

APR Stage III Turbocharger System
Included with purchase of our APR Stage III Turbocharger System.

Thank you and Go APR!

APR Presents: A6 3.0 TFSI Supercharger Pulley Upgrade

Arin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:30:45 +0000

APR is pleased to present the world’s first Supercharger Pulley and corresponding ECU Upgrade for the Audi C6 A6 3.0 TFSI. Without recalibrating the ECU found in Audi’s latest line of supercharged direct injected vehicles, pulley upgrades offer no advantage, as the supercharger will simply bypass boost pressure. With APR’s ability to expertly recalibrate the 3.0 TFSI Engine Control Unit, we are able to develop new hardware and calibrate the ECU to work properly as if intended by the factory.

For those demanding more torque, The APR Supercharger Pulley Upgrade is the answer. Spinning the supercharger faster increases air flow and effectively doubles the low-end gains of Stage I. The gain in torque is felt immediately, but the results are present from beginning to end adding up to 90ft-lbs and 113 horsepower at all four wheels! Read More

APR Motorsport Adds a New Chapter to Their Race Portfolio

Arin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:11:00 +0000

This Friday, September 30, APR Motorsport will be adding a new chapter to their race portfolio by making their debut appearance in the Pirelli World Challenge series in the Cadillac Road Atlanta Grand Prix.

Hopes are high for the APR Motorsport team after driver Ian Baas set the fastest lap time of 1:31.345 (100.104 mph) in the APR Motorsport No. 56 Audi B8 S4 during the morning practice session. The anticipation of racing at APR’s home track filled with Audi race fans and enthusiasts coming out to support Team Joest is only fueling this momentum further.

The Cadillac Road Atlanta Grand Prix will be a completely new experience for the drivers and the team. It is an adrenaline-pumping race of fifty minutes and it does not involve the pit stops and driver changes that the APR Motorsport team is accustomed to doing. Furthermore, during the Cadillac Road Atlanta Grand Prix, three separate classes – GTS, GT, and Touring Car – will be on the track at the same time.

In addition to the No. 56 Audi B8 S4 in the GTS class, APR has two entries into the Touring Car class. Josh Hurley is driving the No. 57 Volkswagen GTI, and Kevin Gleason is driving the No. 58 Volkswagen GTI. All three drivers are highly qualified, each has remarkable accomplishments in their respective racing careers and all three drivers have won races for APR Motorsport. This talent and experience was evident in the results from both practice sessions.

The practice sessions ended with Hurley leading the Touring Car class in the morning session with a lap time of 1:36.590 (94.668 mph), and finishing the afternoon session in fourth place overall. Gleason finished in fifth place in the morning session with a lap time of 1:37.244 (94.031 mph).

Making this debut race even more of a monumental occasion for APR Motorsport is the fact that this will be the first sprint race for their newly built No. 56 Audi B8 S4. This truly is an exciting event for the APR Motorsport team and drivers. For those who have followed the S4 build in recent months, this will be an opportunity to see the results of all that hard work in action.

The Pirelli World Challenge is scheduled to begin at 1:25pm Eastern. During the race, live timing and scoring can be found at world-challenge.com. Fans can also see the scheduled broadcast complete with commentary on the Versus network. The race is scheduled to air on October 29 at 4 p.m. Eastern.

About APR: APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, AL. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s Sole Mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance products available for Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com.

Hurley Tops Pirelli World Challenge Opening Practice In Atlanta

Arin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 23:39:10 +0000

BRASELTON, Ga. – Mike Skeen, of Charlotte, N.C., led the opening Pirelli World Challenge practice on Wednesday morning for Friday’s Cadillac Road Atlanta Grand Prix in his Corvette, while Eric Foss, of Dallas, Texas, and Josh Hurley, Gainesville, Fla., used experience to lead the GTS and Touring Car classes, respectively.

Josh Hurley’s APR Volkswagen led Touring Car’s Wednesday morning practice. (Weber photo)
Skeen and teammate Patrick Lindsey led the GT class and overall in their CRP Racing Corvettes, with Skeen topping the charts with a 1:22.996 (110.174 mph) in the No. 2 Cragar Wheels/CRP Chevrolet Corvette. Just 0.063-second separated his best lap from his teammate’s No. 12 Hawk Performance/CRP Corvette, in second with a 1:23.059 (110.090 mph).

Hurley, a former karter and SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen TDI Cup race winner at Road Atlanta, made his Pirelli World Challenge debut by leading the Touring Car practice with a lap of 1:36.590 (94.668 mph) in the No. 57 APR Motorsports Volkswagen GTI.

That lap was just 0.004-second ahead of second place Lawson Aschenbach’s No. 71 Compass360 Racing Honda Civic Si who turned a lap of 1:36.594 (94.664 mph), with Aaron Povoledo’s No. 88 K-Pax Racing Volvo C30 just 0.042-second behind after a 1:36.632 (94.627 mph).

“The last time I was quickest in practice here I won TDI Cup in 2008,” Hurley said. “It’s my first time back here, so it’s fun to be back in a Volkswagen and back on top of the charts at Road Atlanta.

“I knew it was going to be close, especially between Aaron Povoledo and Lawson, too. We looked at the rules package and I knew it was going to be real close. I was expecting a race, and it’s actually a little closer than I thought. I was hoping we’d have them by a little more.”

Further tightening the field, Tristan Herbert was only 0.311-second behind Hurley in fourth position behind the wheel of the No. 33 Brimtek/GermanAutoParts.com Volkswagen GTI. Kevin Gleason, Hurley’s APR teammate, was fifth in the session with a 1:37.244 (94.031 mph) in the No. 58 APR Motorsports Volkswagen GTI.

The Pirelli World Challenge returns to the track on Wednesday afternoon for the second practice in preparation for Friday’s season finale. Follow all live timing and notes at world-challenge.com. Saturday’s race will be broadcast live on world-challengetv.com.

For more information, please visit www.world-challenge.com.

Follow World Challenge on Twitter @WCRacing.

2nd Annual Audi Fan Party at Petit Le Mans

Arin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:04:55 +0000

Calling all Audi Fans! QuattroWorld.com and APR Motorsport have teamed up once again to bring you the “unofficial” Audi Fan party at Petit Le Mans! We will start at 8pm for an informal get together where we can have some fun talking about our favorite team Audi Sport, as well as grab some SWAG and giveaways from QuattroWorld and APR!

2nd Annual Audi Fan Party at Petit Le Mans
Sponsored by QuattroWorld.com and APR
8PM FRIDAY NIGHT SEPT 30TH – At APR booth in Vendor Row

Special Guests include Ian Baas, Josh Hurley and Kevin Gleason of APR Motorsport and members of Audi USA’s media team!

This event is Free!! Entrance into the venue is necessary and a Petit Le Mans general admission ticket may be required!

APR’s Fall Into Power Sale! 9/19 to 10/22

Arin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:24:13 +0000

APR’s entire product line is on sale from ECU Upgrades to Stage 3 Turbocharger Systems.

ECU Upgrade Sale:

All 2.0T FSI or TSI or 2.7T – $599 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1,203
All B8 3.0 TFSI – $1,499 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $2,105
All 1.8T – $499 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1103
All VR6, 2.5L, 4.2L, are $100 off! Normal Price $499-$599
All A6 3.0T, 4.2T, 4.2L V8 FSI, 5.2L V10 FSI, Porsche and Exotics are 10% off!

Existing customers may upgrade to a Fully Loaded ECU for $149.

Or buy a single program only and get $50 off!

Fully Loaded ECU’s – Your Choice of 4 of the Following Programs:

Stock Mode :: Exact Original Mapping and Performance
91 Octane Performance
93 Octane Performance
100 Octane Performance
Valet Mode :: Limits RPMs and Power Output

Also Included:

Fault Code Erase :: Erases Fault ECU Fault Codes
Security Lockout :: Locks Advanced Functionality of Cruise Control, Password Protected
Anti-Theft :: Disables Throttle to Render Vehicle Inoperable, Password Protected

APR Hardware Sale:

APR Carbonio Carbon Fiber Intakes 10% Off!
APR Stage 3 and K04 Turbocharger Systems 10% Off Most Systems!
APR Exhausts Systems 10% Off!
APR Intercooler Systems 10% Off!
APR Supercharger CPS Systems 10% Off!
APR Bipipe 10% Off!
APR R1 Diverter Valve 10%!
APR Motorsport Items including Silicone Hoses and APR FSI Fuel Pump 15% Off!
APR Brembo Brake Kits – Free Shipping!
DXD Clutch Kits – Free Shipping!

To Find the Closest Authorized APR Dealer Near You Visit: http://www.goapr.com/dealer

GOAPR!

APR Motorsport: High Hopes for Season Finale at Mid-Ohio

Arin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:46:40 +0000

The final round of the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge begins today with APR Motorsport looking to finish the season on a strong note. After a 6 week lapse between New Jersey and Mid-Ohio, APR was able to work quickly to bring a couple of new contenders to the challenge. It’s shaping up to be an action packed three day weekend here in GRAND-AM.

Josh Hurley and Gary Gibson take to the track for the first time in a brand new APR Motorsport Audi B8 S4 sponsored by Perfect Pedal, which replaced APR’s previous S4 earlier this season. During initial testing, Hurley reported the S4 felt much stronger than the previous platform and is pleased with the latest modifications.

The S4 is now outfitted with APR’s entire performance line of hardware and software along with other Motorsport only modifications not suitable for the street. Performance repeatability is often difficult on forced induction engines in racing environments but thanks to recent hardware releases from APR, the S4’s power is remaining consistent without sacrificing engine reliability.

When designing the new S4, APR’s Motorsport Engineers paid careful attention to overall vehicle weight, particularly during development of the full interior roll cage. Structural rigidity and driver safety are at an all time high within the new driver safety cell while weight was reduced by varying cage piping diameter throughout.

Weight reduction was taken seriously right down to the wiring harness, which contains not a single wire more than necessary. The S4 was able to shave another 35 lbs. through these design changes putting the #91 Perfect Pedal S4 right at the minimum weight allowed per the rules.

For the first time anywhere in the world, the B8 S4 was outfitted with a highly advanced Bosch Motorsport ABS system featuring on-the-fly ABS adjustment. APR worked closely with Bosch Motorsport engineers to incorporate the system into the factory CAN bus and spent considerable time and resources recalibrating the factory Continental Simos 8.4 ECU to accept the new system. Simply removing the factory ABS system causes the ECU to enter into “Limp Mode” which drastically handicaps the engine by forcing it into a protection mode designed to severely limit engine output.

In Street Tuner (ST), APR Motorsport takes to the track fielding 3 VW GTI’s with #171 and #181 currently in 4th and 6th in team points. Overall, Volkswagen enters the final round in 2nd place for manufacture’s points. This comes thanks to only two to three APR DriverGear VWs battling against as many as ten Mazdas split between two different chassis styles and six Hondas, as well as many other makes.

If the cards fall correctly for Ian Baas and Ryan Ellis, #171 could take home the team championship with Volkswagen also sitting at the top in manufacturer’s points making this one of the most important races in APR Motorsport’s history. Ryan Ellis and #181’s Kevin Gleason currently sit 2nd and 4th for rookie of the year points standings.

The #161 MK5 GTI was severely damaged at the previous race and the technicians at APR Motorsport worked tirelessly to build another car using a backup chassis. This particular chassis (#002) is the winningest chassis in APR Motorsport’s stable with 3 race wins. #161 will be driven by Enzo Potollicchio and Anthony Massari. Enzo is currently the points leader in the Ferarri Challenge and is an accomplished Daytona Prototype driver. This marks Enzo’s first race with APR Motorsport.

The ever expanding APR Motorsport lineup leaves behind the cramped working conditions of the old paddock setup and welcomes a new motorsport truck and trailer. The new trailer is complete with a 30’ x 70’ awning capable of housing 5 vehicles and enough room to keep our guests safe and comfortable.

APR Motorsport is aiming for success across the board and is excited to close out the 2011 GRAND-AM season with an excellent points standing. Qualifying is on Friday, 9/16/2011 and the race is on Saturday, 9/17/2011. Live Timing and Scoring is available all weekend on www.Grand-Am.com.

APR Presents: 3.0 TFSI EMCS Program Switching

Arin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:07:28 +0000

Over the past two years, APR’s engineering teams worked intimately with the new Continental/Siemens Simos 8.4 ECU to deliver the world’s first true ECU upgrade for the 3.0 TFSI. This granted APR unrestricted access to every map, variable and function within the ECU to deliver expertly calibrated performance software as if intended by the OEM. APR is pleased to announce another world’s first: APR’s patented 3.0 TFSI EMCS Program Switching.

APR’s Patented EMCS Program Switching adds extra functionality to the factory ECU giving users the ability to switch programs right from the driver seat without ever purchasing another piece of hardware. Using the factory cruise control stalk, APR’s EMCS offers the following features:

Program Switching:

Programs switching gives the user the ability to switch between the exact same stock calibration originally loaded on the ECU, fuel quality specific APR performance calibrations for various premium and race fuel octanes as well as a reduced output ‘Valet’ mode designed to prevent misuse of the vehicle by unauthorized individuals.

Security Lockout:

Security lockout enables the user to prevent unauthorized individuals from using any APR EMCS functionality without use of a user defined security code. When enabled, APR EMCS is completely invisible. Because no external hardware is required an extra level of security is added by preventing others from obtaining hardware devices to unlock your ECU.

Fault Code Erase:

Fault code erase offers the end user the option to clear fault codes without the need for external hardware such as a laptop computer. If a fault code is thrown while fixing an issue such as a boost leak at the track, fault code erase allows the user to quickly clear the fault code, reset limp mode, clear check engine lights and reset ECU data so the vehicle can be driven again without requiring extra hardware to erase codes.

Anti-Theft:

Anti-Theft takes security of your Audi one step further by securing the vehicle in the event the keys are stolen. When enabled, Anti-Theft prevents starting of the engine until a user-defined access code is entered. If one were to leave his or her Audi at home while on vacation, enabling Anti-Theft would prevent the vehicle from being driven away even if the keys were left in the ignition.

Programs switching is now available for all B8 S4 and B8 S5 3.0 TFSI ECUs. All existing APR customers who’ve purchased APR software prior to this release are entitled to a free fully loaded ECU. A fully loaded ECU entails Program Switching, four Program modes, Fault Code Erase, Security Lockout and Anti-Theft. For all other customers, please visit our ECU Upgrade Page.

Go APR!

APR TSI K04 – More Power Through Motorsport

Arin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:06:53 +0000

APR is pleased to present a new ECU Calibration Strategy for all VW/Audi Transversal 2.0 TSI K04 Turbocharger Systems

APR’s Engineering Team has finished final testing of a new ECU Calibration for APR’s 2.0 TSI K04 Turbocharger Systems. The results are an additional 65 hp and 73 lb ft of torque!

APR has over 2 years of experience reaching the limits of the OEM internals through participation in the GRAND-AM Road Racing Series. Automotive Engineering firms have continuously turned to endurance racing as proving grounds for new technologies and to measure the durability and viability of these new technologies in a rigorous total system accelerated life-testing environment found in very few alternatives. Through this testing and research APR’s Engineering Team is able to deliver a more powerful application of the K04 Turbocharger System and do so knowing little to no loss of life will be suffered in comparison to the Original Calibration and engine performance levels.

Existing 2.0 TSI K04 owners may contact their local APR Dealer for a free update (excluding labor where applicable) to the new ECU Calibration. Go APR!

APR Stage III – More Power Through Motorsport

Arin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:39:09 +0000

APR is pleased to present a new ECU Calibration Strategy for all VW/Audi Transversal 2.0 TSI Stage III Turbocharger Systems

APR’s Engineering Team has finished final testing of a new ECU Calibration for APR’s 2.0 TSI Stage III Turbocharger Systems. The results are an additional 65 hp and 75 lb ft of torque. Simultaneously, APR presents a road course mode available through EMCS exclusively for the 2.0 TSI Stage III that provides a similar torque delivery profile to APR’s original ECU Calibration as included in the Stage III System.

APR has over 2 years of experience reaching the limits of the OEM internals through participation in the GRAND-AM Road Racing Series. Automotive Engineering firms have continuously turned to endurance racing as proving grounds for new technologies and to measure the durability and viability of these new technologies in a rigorous total system accelerated life-testing environment found in very few alternatives. Through this testing and research APR’s Engineering Team is able to deliver a more powerful application of the Stage III Turbocharger System and do so knowing little to no loss of life will be suffered in comparison to the Original Calibration and engine performance levels.

As APR’s Original Calibration was developed to help manage torque application in low traction situations, APR’s Engineering Team will offer 2.0 TSI Stage III owners the ability to use their OEM cruise control stalk to select a similar torque delivery profile to APR’s original ECU Calibration or the new Calibration power levels to best suit their driving situation in most currently available fuel quality specific calibrations. For the first time ever and only available to this application, APR introduces calibrations with drastically different power levels for the same fuel quality through EMCS.

Existing 2.0 TSI Stage III owners may contact their local APR Dealer for a free update (excluding labor where applicable) to the new v2.0 ECU Calibration. Go APR!

APR BBQ Treffen 2011 – October 8th, 2011

Arin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:12:55 +0000

Please Register Here!

APR is pleased to present the 11th annual BBQ and Customer Appreciation Day at our purpose built engineering Performance Campus on October 8th in Opelika, AL.

See Who’s Registered!

APR Cordially invites one and all to come out for a day with us in our 34,000 sq. ft. Performance Campus to learn about new products and development on the horizon, a complete tour of our evolving facility, special guest speakers from the industry, technical seminars from the hardware, software and motorsport engineers and a tour of the New APR Motorsport Paddock with our New Audi S4 Grand Sport race car and our 3 VW GTI Street Tuner cars.

APR’s Annual Customer Appreciation Sale and onsite ECU upgrades will be offered all day with free labor on all ECU upgrades and many hardware installs. With hundreds of customer, club and staff vehicles on site, this marks an excellent opportunity to interact with customers and see what everyone’s saying about APR’s line of performance software and hardware.

Games, prizes, motorsport activities, kids activities, daycare and a special “Kids Zone” and more will be available all day. A complementary lunch of the South’s best BBQ will be served in the early afternoon so no one will go hungry. Anyone attending the event may enter our world famous Stage III Raffle and one lucky person will head home with a Free APR Stage III Turbocharger System! Complementary burgers will be served late into the evening and the event will be closed out with our annual fireworks show.

Start Date: Oct 08, 2011 – Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Date: Oct 08, 2011 – End Time: 11:00 PM

Description:

APR BBQ Treffen 2011 – October 8th, 2011

APR LLC
4800 US Highway 280 West, Opelika, AL 36801

Please Register Here!

APR Presents: B8 S5 4.2L FSI V8 Stage III Supercharger System!

Arin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:35:34 +0000

APR presents the Audi B8 S5 4.2l Stage III Supercharger System.

APR’s Engineering Teams are pleased to present our second iteration of the Audi 4.2l V8 FSI Supercharger application. Producing over 537 HP and 443 ft-lbs of torque, APR’s B8 S5 Stage III adds over 187 horsepower which completely transforms Audi’s latest coupe to new levels of acceleration and performance. Read More…

APR Presents: The APR Badge

Arin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:12:48 +0000

APR is pleased to present an APR Badge for all customers modified with APR’s different stages of performance enhancements. Proudly display your APR car’s performance stage with the customizable APR badge. OEM style domed and polished chrome letters make the badge appear as if it was installed right on the VAG assembly line. Read More…

APR Presents: APR B8 3.0 TFSI Supercharger Coolant Performance System

Arin — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:43:08 +0000

APR is pleased to present a completely reengineered supercharger Coolant Performance System (CPS) for the Audi B8 3.0 TFSI. Through extensive motorsport testing in GRAND-AM Road Racing, APR’s Engineering Team discovered the OEM supercharger cooling system was inadequate at higher boost pressures and power levels and therefore developed the APR CPS to improve both performance and reliability. Read More

APR’s Power Into Summer Sale – June 27th – July 31st

Arin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:54:39 +0000

Just in time for summer, take advantage of these great specials in preparation to hit the track, shows or strip. APR’s entire product line is on sale from ECU Upgrades to Stage 3 Turbocharger Systems.

ECU Upgrade Sale:

All 2.0T FSI or TSI or 2.7T – $599 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1203
All 1.8T – $499 For a Fully Loaded ECU! Normal Price $1103
All VR6, 2.5L, 4.2L, are $100 off! Normal Price $499-$599
All 3.0T, 4.2T, 4.2L V8 FSI, 5.2L V10 FSI, Porsche and Exotics are 10% off!

Existing customers may upgrade to a Fully Loaded ECU for $149.

Your Choice of 4 of the Following Programs:

Stock Mode :: Exact Original Mapping and Performance
91 Octane Performance
93 Octane Performance
100 Octane Performance
Valet Mode :: Limits RPMs and Power Output

Also Included:

Fault Code Erase :: Erases Fault ECU Fault Codes
Security Lockout :: Locks Advanced Functionality of Cruise Control, Password Protected
Anti-Theft :: Disables Throttle to Render Vehicle Inoperable, Password Protected

Or buy a single program only and get $50 off!

APR Hardware Sale:

APR Carbonio Carbon Fiber Intakes 10% Off!
APR Stage 3 and K04 Turbocharger Systems 10% Off Most Systems!
APR Exhausts Systems 10% Off!
APR Intercooler Systems 10% Off!
APR Bipipe 10% Off!
APR R1 Diverter Valve 10%!
APR Motorsport Items including Silicone Hoses and APR FSI Fuel Pump 15% Off!
APR Brembo Brake Kits – Free Shipping!
DXD Clutch Kits – Free Shipping!

To Find the Closest Authorized APR Dealer Near You Visit: http://www.goapr.com/dealer

GOAPR!

#171 Finishes Second Under Caution at Road America.

Arin — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:05:57 +0000

More info to come.

APR Motorsport Announces Entry into World Challenge Touring Car for Road Atlanta Round in October!

Arin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:56:51 +0000

More news coming……..

APR Presents: 3.0 TFSI Supercharger Pulley Upgrade

Arin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:35 +0000

APR is pleased to present the world’s first Supercharger Pulley and corresponding ECU Upgrade for the 3.0 TFSI. Without recalibrating the ECU found in Audi’s latest line of supercharged direct injected vehicles, pulley upgrades offer no advantage, as the supercharger will simply bypass boost pressure. With APR’s ability to expertly recalibrate the 3.0 TFSI Engine Control Unit, we are able to develop new hardware and calibrate the ECU to work properly as if intended by the factory.

For those demanding more torque, The APR Supercharger Pulley Upgrade is the answer. Spinning the supercharger faster increases air flow and effectively doubles the low-end gains of Stage I. The gain in torque is felt immediately, but the results are present from beginning to end adding up to 80ft-lbs and 108 horsepower at all four wheels! Read More

APR Motorsport 1 -2 at Watkins Glen

Arin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:30:10 +0000

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” ~ Bobby Unser

Watkins Glen NY: The race was set to begin with APR Motorsport’s cars in completely unfamiliar territory, the rear of the field. The Championship Leading car #171 VW DriverGear GTI MK6 suffered an engine related failure shortly before qualifying and was unable to post a time while the #161 Perfect Pedal VW GTI MK5 and the #181 VW DriverGear GTI MK6 both had their qualifying times disallowed due to a minor technical infraction. This was very disappointing because the #181 GTI of Chris Gleason Jr. had qualified in pole position with a new track record and the #161 GTI of newcomer Nate Norenberg had qualified 3rd in his first of many races for APR Motorsport.

Undaunted by the challenge of having to pass the entire field, Chris Gleason Jr. in the #181 GTI, Ryan Ellis in the #171 GTI, and Nate Norenberg in the #161 GTI went about their business picking off competitors as quickly as possible. Each of the opening drivers avoided contact while overtaking the field and insured that their driving partners would have a solid car ready to finish the race. Before the first round of pit stops, the APR Motorsport cars overtook 55 competitors with Nate Norenberg actually leading a lap before his pitstop! The APR pit crew was equally as motivated to win as were the drivers and turned in record-setting pit stop times. The APR Motorsport cars were passed by no other team in pitlane and actually gained several positions during the extremely quick stops.

APR Motorsport Director, Jeff Mishtawy, said “The drivers and the team all executed and got it done! Being relegated to the back after qualifying was tough to take as a team but it created an atmosphere of determination for everyone here. We were simply not going to be denied today.”

The finishing drivers, Ian Baas in the #171 GTI, Kevin Gleason in the #181 GTI, and Josh Hurley in the #161 GTI were now in place and continuing the charge to the front of the pack. Unfortunately, the GRAND-AM championship leading #171 GTI of Ian Baas and Ryan Ellis suffered a broken left rear suspension and had to make multiple pit stops in an effort to repair the damage, eventually finishing in 31st position and losing the championship lead. “This one was hard to take,” said Ian Baas. He continued, “We had a great car but we have to get to the finish line. We aren’t out of the championship yet, we must outperform everyone in the remaining 4 races to have a shot.”

The race would progress differently for Kevin Gleason and Josh Hurley. With 20 minutes remaining they had driven all the way to 3rd and 4th places respectively and were closing the on the 2 leaders when a full-course caution was thrown for a crash and bunched the field back up. On the restart, the ST leader was a victim of a “jump start” by the driver of the #30 Mazda in second place who then suffered a punctured tire ending his race and scattering debris all over the track bringing out yet another caution. The GRAND-AM officials assessed a penalty to the #30 Mazda and handing the lead to the #181 GTI of Kevin Gleason. On the final restart with 2 laps to go, Kevin and Josh Hurley held off the competition to complete a dream 1-2 finish after starting last on the grid, the first time this has ever been accomplished in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

Kevin Gleason said, “What an amazing feeling to get my first Continental ST Win! APR executed perfect strategy and even better pit stops. I had a lot of fun with my stint charging through the field, the late cautions definitely made things a little tenser but it all worked out. Crossing the line leading an APR 1-2 is for sure the highlight of my career.” Josh Hurley reflected on the historic 1-2 finish with, “What an amazing team! Kevin and I knew that we had a great finish lined up and there was no way we were going to risk it by fighting with each other. Nate handed over a great car; I just had to keep it going.”

After the race, Chris Gleason Jr. said, “We were a little bit bummed out about it (the qualifying penalty), but we got the team together, we talked about it and we said, ‘We can still win this thing.’ And we believed it. We all executed our jobs and made it happen and here we are. We had a fast car and I felt good in the car. It was just actually ‘keep it safe’ but start picking off guys as soon as possible and that’s what I did. We executed our strategy and it just worked out. We got out there in good track position and Kevin was big time. He laid down the laps he needed to do it. Here we are in the winner’s circle. Go APR!”

The race will air on SpeedTV Sunday, June 12 at 5pm Eastern.

APR Motorsport Takes First and Second at Watkins Glen International

Arin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:47:46 +0000

Press release coming shortly.

APR Presents GTI Treffen am Worthersee 2011 VW GTI Reifnitz

Arin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:01:06 +0000

Volkswagen Coaching GmbH unveiled a specially prepared GTI MK6 at the GTI Treffen show in Worthersee, Austria to mark the joint anniversary of the 35th birthday of the VW GTI and the 30th GTI Treffen at Worthersee. VW Coaching marked this very special joint anniversary with a truly unique and extensively individualized GTI MK6 created by their apprentices and training staff.

Intricately detailed, it is safe to say the GTI Reifnitz is the most individualized VW on display at Volkswagen AG’s main display. The exterior received a special paint design and areo styling by the VW Coaching team and the interior is extremely detailed as well. Not to be left untouched, the engine was reengineered to 370 PS and 480Nm of torque with a production APR Stage III Turbocharger System, APR Intercooler and APR RSC Performance Exhaust.

VW Coaching staff was available throughout the day to answer questions and when asked about power, a quick reach in the glove box brings a dynamometer certification chart of the power and torque delivered by APR’s Stage III Turbocharger System. In typical show fashion and by request, VW Coaching staff were starting the 2.0 TSI engine and revving for the public producing an exotic, yet reserved exhaust note that only an APR RSC Performance Exhaust System can deliver.

APR is proud to be a part of one of the most beautifully crafted individualized GTI’s to be presented on the Main VW Display at GTI Treffen am Worthersee. You may not be able to purchase this unique GTI MK6 at your local VW dealership but you can prepare yours to same level of engine performance through APR’s extensive product line for VW’s 2.0 TSI engine no matter the chassis you choose.

For more information please visit www.goapr.com.

Full Gallery: Click to Enlarge

APR Presents: S5 & A4/A5/Q5 4.2L FSI, 3.2L FSI & 3.0 TDI Intake System

Arin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:32:49 +0000

Carbonio’s latest carbon fiber intake for the 4.2L FSI V8, 3.2L FSI V6 and 3.0 TDI engine is a ram air design that completely separates the intake filter from the engine bay. Building from years of experience on and off the race track, Carbonio’s and APR’s engineering teams have spent countless hours developing a true cold air and ram air carbon fiber design that can be recreated affordably for the street performance enthusiast. Product Page

APR Motorsport Qualifies in P2 at the Memorial Day Classic

Arin — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:59:11 +0000

Kevin Gleason in the #181 VW DriverGear GTI MK6 Sets a Sub 1 Minute Qualifying Lap While the Championship Points Leader Ryan Ellis in the #181 Car Will Start in 14th

APR Motorsport is pleased to present another successful qualifying round in the CTSCC for VW DriverGear Racing with a Second Place Qualifying while the Championship Points leader starts from a comfortable mid pack position for tomorrow’s Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park. VW TDI Cup Standout Kevin Gleason has seemingly found his stride at the tight and technical Lime Rock Park circuit in Lakeville, CT this afternoon after an excellent qualifying round. Ryan Ellis was unable to find enough traffic free lap time to be able to move up in the order despite extremely successful practice rounds.

APR Motorsport felt their work was cut out for them coming off a successful placing at the last race at VIR with such a short time in between races to setup the GTI’s for two completely different race tracks. Where the track at VIR is fast and requires a lot of confidence to carry momentum through the turns, Lime Rock Park is tight, technical and short presenting equal but opposite challenges for the strategists and setup experts in the CTSCC. This also makes it difficult for the technical crew of APR Motorsport as they only had a mere two weeks to completely change the handling characteristics for each track prior to arrival at Lime Rock.

The first practice session saw both GTI’s at the front of the pack but the practice before qualifying proved other teams were holding back and APR Motorsport found themselves quickly making setup improvements to compete. Ryan and Ian in the #171 GTI showed good pace towards the end of the second practice and went into qualifying feeling positive. Kevin and Chris Gleason, Jr. were able to be on point throughout Friday with a few tire pressure changes during practice that yielded great results for Kevin in qualifying.

Kevin relayed, “We were fortunate to get comfortable in the new setup very quickly. Both Chris and I took to Lime Rock like it’s a home track for us even though this is the first time we’ve ever been here.

APR Motorsport took our feedback seriously and did an amazing job giving us the car we needed to be fast. I’m glad I was able to reward their hard work with a P2. This might just be the race for Chris and I to bring one home!” Kevin will start out tomorrow’s race and turn over the GTI to his brother Chris who will finish out the strategy set by APR Motorsport while the #181 GTI is poised for its best finish of the year.

Ryan and Ian are disappointed that Ryan simply wasn’t able to find enough clean space on a hot lap to post his best time. Ian said after qualifying, “Ryan is a great qualifier and he’s proven that thus far this season. I know we had a better time in it but sometimes things just don’t go your way. I’m confident Ryan will run a great first stint tomorrow as usual and I just hope I can bring us up closer to the podium before time expires.” With a couple of Mini’s and both Kia’s ahead of the Points Leader in qualifying, Ian and Ryan know it will be tough to hang on to the lead for the Championship. Ryan remarked, “Generally I’m not too worried about the speed shown by the Minis and the KIAs. I know I’ve got a good car under me and the best co-driver I could hope for. Ian and I are going to move up quick and put it to the front runners. All I can say is that they better be ready for us!”

About APR: APR LLC is an automotive engineering firm operating a 36,000 sq. ft. performance campus in Opelika, AL. APR was founded in 1997 with a corporate philosophy of Integrity, Excellence and Innovation. APR’s Sole Mission is to provide the highest quality and most highly engineered aftermarket performance products available for Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. Learn more at www.goapr.com.

APR Motorsport Starts the Mid Season Push with Great Expectations for the Memorial Day Classic

Keith — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:49:21 +0000

The APR Motorsport Team left VIR for the Bosch Engineering 200 still in the lead in the ST class but down their GS entrant due to a complete write off towards the end of the race. As this weekend brings the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park, APR Motorsport has a bright outlook for the GTI’s but travelling lighter as there was not enough time between races to properly build a new S4 for GS.

APR Motorsport will find that time during the break after the New Jersey race to build a new S4 to be fielded at Mid Ohio. Gary Gibson and Josh Hurley will be back in action and looking for a podium with just a little bit of good luck. It’s been another tough season for the S4 so far but favorable rules package adjustments prior to the VIR race gives APR a good chance at finally showing some speed this season. “Our drivers and team have done a fantastic job with the Audi S4 this year and last year. We didn’t expect to be very competitive in our first year out with the new car but we hope for a little more out of the second season than we’ve had thus far. There has been some talk around the paddock that maybe that particular S4 was full of bad luck. If all it takes is replacing that S4 with a new one, well, we have our opportunity, so let’s hope that’s it”, muses Jeff Mishtawy, Director of Motorsport for APR.

Ian Baas and Ryan Ellis are excited about the race this Memorial Day Weekend as it’s a split race with ST and GS each having separate races, although on the same day. Ryan relayed, “When you are in the slower class, a lot of effort while driving can be spent maintaining awareness of the faster cars around you. A single class race gives Ian and me the chance to focus solely on our driving and the positions of our competition. We should see faster laps and cleaner racing which is exactly what I want as we continue to lead the Championship.” Ian and Ryan field the #171 VW DriverGear GTI MK6 and are slightly ahead in points over the Mini and Kia teams.

Kevin and Chris Gleason, Jr. will continue their incredible rookie season together as they look for their first podium in the #181 VW DriverGear GTI MK6. A few bumps from other competitors during the previous races have been all that’s keeping them from as much success as the #171 car. Kevin said, “We’ve been in the hunt every race and I know there are good things to come for Chris and I. I hope it’s this weekend and with the split races I feel we will have a good chance. One of the greatest skills required in the CTSCC is keeping the car healthy around such a group of aggressive racers. Chris and I are looking forward to a race where our abilities behind the wheel in conjunction with the APR Team’s ability to give a fast car determine the finishing order.”

The Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT begins this Saturday at 10:30AM EST and will air on SpeedTV at a later date. To follow the action in real time, as it happens, visit APR’s facebook page or check out the APR Motorsport website at www.aprmotorsport.com for more information. At the writing of this release, both VW DriverGear GTI MK6’s have shown great speed in the opening practice round with the 3rd and 4th fastest times posted. Go APR!
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APR Presents: 2.0T FSI S3/Golf-R K04 Turbocharger System

Arin — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:46:59 +0000

APR’s Transverse 2.0T FSI Audi S3 and VW Golf-R K04 Turbocharger System will upgrade your current 200hp and 207lb-ft Transverse 2.0T FSI Engine with all of the necessary OEM components from the European Audi S3 and Golf-R along with APR’s Direct Compressor DV Recirculation Port, CNC Turbo Outlet, FSI High Pressure Fuel Pump and meticulously recalibrated Engine Management to produce 355 horsepower and 368lb-ft of torque on 100 octane gas. Product Page