Auer: SunEnergy1 “Has Everything” for Pro-Am Success

Lucas Auer believes SunEnergy1 Racing ‘has everything in place’ to achieve a strong result in the Pro-Am category at the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS, despite competing in what he describes as the “toughest class” at the event.

The Austrian will share the No.75 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with Kenny Habul and Jayden Ojeda for the eight-hour race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Pro-Am class is the most populated out of the three categories competing at the event, featuring 14 out of 23 cars.

It features a mix of both international and U.S. entries, with SunEnergy1 joining the likes of Herberth Motorsport, Car Collection Motorsport and Triple Eight JMR alongside full-season Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS entries.

Speaking with Sportscar365, Auer expressed confidence at the team’s odds going into the event, but predicted that it “will be a challenge” to secure a good result at The Brickyard.

“I think we have a super line-up, I think we have a super team, but I think here it’s the strongest and the toughest class,” Auer said.

“So it will be a challenge. Zero mistakes, get everything right and then I believe we have the team and the material to actually do something good.”

When asked if he thinks that the full-season Fanatec GT America entries could enjoy an advantage over the international entrants this weekend, Auer replied: “Yeah, but we really have top guys [from] all around the world.

“Let’s see anyway. In a race, it’s difficult to predict but I really think we have everything in place in order to do well.”

The Indy 8H will be Auer’s first race with Habul and his 75 Express operation, with the Mercedes-AMG factory driver saying he was approached by Habul to do the race roughly a month ago.

“I know Kenny already since quite a time and [I know] a lot of people in the team,” Auer said. “It’s a very strong team and actually a huge pleasure for me to join them and we try to do our best.”

Auer went on to praise Habul’s racing accolades and his involvement in GT3 racing, noting ‘everything he does is at the highest level.’

“For me, he is number one,” said Auer. “It is impressive how much dedication and passion he puts into racing.

“You also see with the team, everything is [at the] highest level. So when I heard we can race together, actually it was cool for me to join them because I know they are a top team.

“And with Kenny, as I said, everything what he does is at its highest level.”

In addition to his first race with SunEnergy1, this weekend’s IGTC decider will also mark the first time Auer has competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“It’s a track with a lot of significance and history,” he said. “Actually quite cool to be here, as you said, a lot of track with a high profile and very  cool to drive.

“Very technical, a lot of corner combinations, so you need to get it right. It’s a tough track, but it’s quite cool. You also need some top speed in order to race properly so but a cool track.”

Auer hopes the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo’s reputation as a strong all-rounder and a car that is good on its tires will pay dividends, particularly during the phase of the race where the temperatures will be highest.

“Maybe, because for sure during the day it’s getting quite hot, which is maybe [where] we can play our advantage,” he said.

“But for sure now [the] competition also are good with tyres. So I think now it’s all about fine tuning and having a proper race car and then executing.”