Le Mans winner goes rallying

André Lotterer, winner at Le Mans last year with Audi, made his rallying debut in the Boucles de Spa when he drove a Porsche 911SC in the colours of the Belgian Zolder circuit.

Despite his lack of experience, Lotterer finished eighth overall, one place behind the Ferrari 308GTB of former World Rally Champion Bjorn Wåldegard. Lotterer’s car ran in a red and white livery in tribute to his father Henry, an RAS Sport Porsche engineer in the 1970s.

With approval from Audi sports boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, the 30-year old was able to realise a childhood dream. “One day when I was about four or five, my father came back home with the Belga Porsche during some testing,” he said. “And he took me to school in it! Rallying made me dream about being a driver.”

Victory in Spa went to the Lancia Beta Monte Carlo of local hero Jean-Pierre van de Wauwer, who achieved his ambition to win the event after 30 years of trying.