In preparation for the FIA GT Nations Cup, Belgian drivers Charles Weerts and Mike den Tandt drove the Audi R8 LMS in Dubai and won the Gulf Sportscar Championship opening round.
The first race victory in the new Gulf Sportscar Championship goes to Audi. Charles Weerts and Mike den Tandt, in an Audi R8 LMS of Team WRT, had a clear advantage on crossing the finish line in Dubai after 24 laps, despite an early setback. Up-and-coming driver Charles Weerts, who started the first sports car race in his career from pole position, had previously contested only races with standing starts. At the flying start in Dubai, the Belgian dropped to third place but as early as lap one, made up one position. On lap six, 17-year-old Weerts overtook the leader and turned his car over to his teammate after 30 minutes. Mike den Tandt extended the advantage up to the finish to 1m 26s.
On 1st December 2018, the same driver duo will represent Belgium with Belgian Audi Club Team WRT at the first FIA GT Nations Cup in Bahrain, and in competition with 18 other nations.