Wikipedia

Lucas Luhr

Lucas Luhr (born 22 July 1979) is a German racing driver. He is a staple of the American Le Mans Series during the 2000s and early 2010s, winning the GT class with Porsche in 2002, the LMP2 category in 2006, and taking the overall LMP1 championship as part of the Audi Sport North America works outfit in 2008.[1] He also won the P1 title in 2012 and 2013, driving for Honda-fielding Muscle Milk Pickett Racing.[2]

Lucas Luhr
Lucas Luhr in 2007
Nationality German
Born22 July 1979 (1979-07-22) (age 45)
Mülheim-Kärlich, West Germany
Racing licence FIA Gold
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years2000, 2002–2003, 2007–2009, 2011, 2013
TeamsDick Barbour Racing, The Racer's Group, Alex Job Racing, Audi Sport Team Joest, JR Motorsports, Flying Lizard Motorsports, Flying Lizard Motorsports, Muscle Milk Racing, Starworks Motorsport, BMW Motorsport
Best finish1st in LMGT (2002, 2003)
Class wins2 (2002, 2003)

Luhr's GT successes in Europe included class victories at the 2002 and 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans races with Porsche, as well as the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship title.[3][4] In 2014, Luhr became a BMW factory driver, with whom he won the 2015 24 Hours of Spa, before departing in 2017.[5][6][7]

Early career

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Born in Mülheim-Kärlich, Luhr began his career in karts in 1989. Throughout the early 1990s, he won several local and national karting trophies. He became a factory driver for the CRG company in 1994, winning the European Karting Championship and placing 4th in the Karting World Championship. In 1995, he moved to the Jolly Kart factory team, competing in the European and World championships.

Luhr moved to cars in 1996, becoming vice-champion of the German Formula Ford championship. He raced in the German Formula Three Championship in 1997 and 1998, winning the 1998 season opening round at the Hockenheimring.

Porsche factory career

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Luhr became a Porsche factory driver for the 1999 season. He won the 1999 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland championship driving for the UPS Junior Team. In 2000, he moved to the American Le Mans Series, driving a Porsche 911 GT3-R for Dick Barbour Racing and partnering with Dirk Müller. He collected class wins in the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1000 km Nürburgring, and Race of 1000 Years in Adelaide, as well as the ALMS GT class championship in his first season.

Luhr began the 2001 season with a class win in the 24 Hours of Daytona, driving for White Lightning Racing. In the ALMS, he partnered with Sascha Maassen at Alex Job Racing, again in a 911. The duo won the 12 Hours of Sebring, but had a disappointing season as the BMW M3 GTRs dominated the season. Luhr and Maassen finished 4th in the championship.

In 2002, Luhr and Maassen dominated the ALMS GT class, winning seven of ten races, including Sebring and Petit Le Mans. Luhr also won the GT class at Le Mans, driving with Kevin Buckler and Timo Bernhard for The Racer's Group.

For 2003, Luhr continued his winning ways with Maassen and AJR. The duo Sebring for the third straight year, giving Luhr his fourth straight class win, tying him with Bob Holbert for most consecutive class wins. In June, the pair, joined by Emmanuel Collard, captured the GT class at Le Mans. Luhr and Maassen would take 5 wins from 9 races and win the ALMS GT championship for the second straight year.

After a second place at Sebring, Luhr moved to the FIA GT Championship for the 2004 season. He and Maassen won 6 races driving for Friesinger Motorsport and won their third consecutive championship together.

In 2005, Luhr's primary job was the development of the new Porsche RS Spyder, which was to make its full-time debut in 2006. He also raced in the big events in 911s, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Spa 24 Hours. Luhr also won the Laguna Seca 4 Hours LMP2 class, in the debut race of the RS Spyder.

For 2006, Luhr rejoined Maassen, but moved to Penske Racing to drive the RS Spyder. The duo had a rough start to the season, netting only one class win. Luhr would finish the season driving with Romain Dumas and take two more victories to end as vice-champion with Maassen. Luhr also won the 24 Hours Nürburgring overall, driving with Timo Bernhard, Marcel Tiemann, and Mike Rockenfeller.

Audi career

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For 2007, Luhr became a factory Audi driver. Luhr raced in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series, driving an Audi A4 DTM for Audi Sport Team Rosberg. He participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving the LMP1 class R10 TDI.

In 2008, he drove in the American Le Mans Series with Marco Werner in an Audi R10, the pair won the LMP1 class drivers title after six overall wins and eight class wins. He was also fourth overall at Le Mans.

In the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Luhr crashed Audi's new R15 TDI into a tire wall during the 7th hour. Race officials declared the car unable to finish the race.

For 2010, Luhr has been driving in select events for Audi factory-supported teams in GT races. He competed in the VLN and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours for Team Abt Sportsline, and also for Phoenix Racing at the Spa 24 Hours. He also competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona finishing 3rd for Level 5 Motorsports.

Post-Audi career

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In 2011, Luhr competed in the FIA GT1 World Championship for JR Motorsports, winning the drivers' championship with Michael Krumm in a Nissan GT-R.

For 2012, Luhr competed in the American Le Mans Series for Muscle Milk Motorsports, where he was the LMP1 champion and the Rolex Sports Car Series for Starworks Motorsport where he finished 12th in points with one race win. In 2013, he returned to Muscle Milk in ALMS LMP1 and also won the 24 Hours Nürburgring SP7 class in a Manthey Racing Porsche.

On 26 July 2013, it was announced that Luhr would make his IndyCar Series debut with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing at Sonoma Raceway in conjunction with RW Motorsports.[8] It was his first open wheel race since he competed in German Formula Three in 1998.

Top Speed

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Luhr was featured, along with Marion Jones and Marla Streb, in the large format film, Top Speed, hosted by Tim Allen. Luhr's appearance in the film focuses on his championships in the 24 Hours of Le Mans while he was driving for Porsche. The film was produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films.

Accolades

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Racing record

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American Le Mans Series results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos. Points Ref
2000 Dick Barbour Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3-R Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 SEB
1 		CHA
10 		SIL
4 		NÜR
1 		SON
1 		MOS
DNF 		TEX
3 		ROS
11 		PET
3† 		MON
10 		LSV
2 		ADE
1 		2nd 216 [9]
2001 Alex Job Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3-RS Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 TEX
1 		SEB
1 		DON
1 		JAR
8 		SON
5 		POR
2 		MOS
4 		MID
6† 		MON
3 		PET
3 		4th 176 [10]
2002 Alex Job Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3-RS Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 SEB
1 		SON
1 		MID
DNF 		AME
2 		WAS
1 		TRO
1 		MOS
3 		MON
1 		MIA|
1 		PET
1 		1st 245 [11]
2003 Alex Job Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3-RS Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 SEB
1 		ATL
2 		SON
1 		TRO
1 		MOS
4 		ELK
4 		LAG
1 		MIA
1 		PET
2 		1st 164 [12]
2004 Alex Job Racing GT Porsche 911 GT3-RSR Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 SEB
2 		MID 17th 40 [13]
BAM! LIM
DNF 		SON
DNF 		POR
DNF 		MOS AME PET
6 		MON
8
2005 Petersen Motorsports

White Lightning Racing

GT2 Porsche 911 GT3-RSR Porsche 3.6 L Flat-6 SEB
1 		ATL MDO LRP SON POR ELK MOS PET 21st 26 [14]
Penske Racing LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder Porsche MR6 3.4 L V8 LAG
1 		11th 23
2006 Penske Racing LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder Porsche MR6 3.4 L V8 SEB
2† 		TEX
3† 		MID
2 		LIM
2 		UTA
1 		POR
2† 		AME
2 		MOS
1 		PET
2 		MON
1 		1st 184 [15]
2007 Audi Sport North America LMP1 Audi R10 TDI Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12

(Diesel)

SEB STP LNB TEX UTA LIM MID AME MOS DET PET
4 		22nd 16th [16]
Petersen Motorsports

White Lightning Racing

GT2 Ferrari F430GT Ferrari 4.0L V8 MON
DNF 		NC -
2008 Audi Sport North America LMP1 Audi R10 TDI Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12

(Diesel)

SEB
2 		STP
1 		LBH
1 		UTA
1 		LRP
1 		MDO
1 		ELK
1 		MOS
1 		DET
DNF 		PET
3 		LAG
1 		1st 219 [17]
2009 Audi Sport North America LMP1 Audi R15 TDI Audi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V10

(Diesel)

SEB
3 		STP LBH UTA LRP MDO ELK MOS PET
4 		LAG 17th 43 [18]
2010 Muscle Milk Team Cytosport LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder Evo Porsche MR6 3.4 L V8 SEB LBH MON UTA LIM MDO ROA MOS
 PET
2 		17th 26 [19]
2011 Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing LMP1 Lola-Aston Martin B08/62 Aston Martin 6.0 L V12 SEB
DNF 		LBH
1 		LRP
2 		MOS
1 		MDO
1 		ELK
1 		BAL LAG
5 		PET
DNF 		3rd 114 [20]
2012 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing P1 HPD ARX-03a Honda LM-V8 3.4 L V8 SEB
8† 		LBH
1 		LAG
1 		LRP
1 		MOS
1 		MDO
1 		ELK
2 		BAL
3† 		VIR
1 		PET
3 		1st 195 [21]
2013 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing P1 HPD ARX-03a Honda LM-V8 3.4 L V8 SEB
4 		LBH
1 		LAG
1 		1st 182 [22]
HPD ARX-03c LRP
1 		MOS
1 		ELK
1 		BAL
1 		COA
1 		VIR
1 		PET
DNF

† Did not finish the race but was classified as his car completed more than 70% of the overall winner's race distance.

24 Hours of Le Mans results

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Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2000   Dick Barbour Racing   Dirk Müller
  Bob Wollek 		Porsche 911 GT3-R GT 319 DSQ DSQ
2002   The Racer's Group   Kevin Buckler
  Timo Bernhard 		Porsche 911 GT3-RS GT 322 16th 1st
2003   Alex Job Racing
  Petersen Motorsports 		  Sascha Maassen
  Emmanuel Collard 		Porsche 911 GT3-RS GT 320 14th 1st
2007   Audi Sport Team Joest   Mike Rockenfeller
  Alexandre Prémat 		Audi R10 TDI LMP1 23 DNF DNF
2008   Audi Sport Team Joest   Mike Rockenfeller
  Alexandre Prémat 		Audi R10 TDI LMP1 374 4th 4th
2009   Audi Sport North America   Marco Werner
  Mike Rockenfeller 		Audi R15 TDI LMP1 104 DNF DNF
2011   Flying Lizard Motorsports   Jörg Bergmeister
  Patrick Long 		Porsche 997 GT3-RSR GTE
Pro 		310 18th 6th
2013   Jota Sport   Simon Dolan
  Oliver Turvey 		Zytek Z11SN-Nissan LMP2 319 13th 7th
Source:[23]

Complete DTM results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos Points
2007 Team Rosberg Audi A4 DTM 2006 HOC
11 		OSC
12 		LAU
14 		BRH
11 		NOR
18† 		MUG
Ret 		ZAN
16 		NÜR
16 		CAT
8† 		HOC
12 		17th 1

† Retired, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race winner's distance.

Complete GT1 World Championship results

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Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Pos Points
2011 JR Motorsports Nissan GT-R ABU
QR
3
 		ABU
CR
14
 		ZOL
QR
7
 		ZOL
CR
9
 		ALG
QR
2
 		ALG
CR
1
 		SAC
QR
11
 		SAC
CR
9
 		SIL
QR
2
 		SIL
CR
1
 		NAV
QR
9
 		NAV
CR
6
 		PRI
QR
1
 		PRI
CR
1
 		ORD
QR
11
 		ORD
CR
9
 		BEI
QR
4
 		BEI
CR
3
 		SAN
QR
2
 		SAN
CR
Ret
 		1st 137

IndyCar Series results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Rank Points Ref
2013 Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Dallara DW12 97 Honda STP ALA LBH SAO INDY DET1 DET2 TXS MIL IOW POC TOR1 TOR2 MDO SNM
22 		BAL HOU1 HOU2 FON 36th 8 [24]

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pos. Points Ref
2014 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing P Oreca 03 Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8 DAY
5 		SEB
13 		LBH LAG DET WGL MOS IMS ROA COA PET 36th 46 [25]
2015 BMW Team RLL GTLM BMW Z4 GTE BMW 4.4 L V8 DAY
4 		SEB
4 		LBH
5 		LAG
1 		WGI
8 		MOS
2 		ROA
6 		VIR
4 		AUS
7 		PET
2 		5th 291 [26]
2016 BMW Team RLL GTLM BMW M6 GTLM BMW S63 4.4 L Twin Turbo V8 DAY
11 		SEB
6 		LBH
10 		LGA
10 		WGL
8 		MOS
9 		LIM
9 		ELK
3 		VIR
8 		COT
7 		PET
6 		9th 267 [27]
Source:[23]

Complete NASCAR results

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Whelen Euro Series – EuroNASCAR PRO

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(key) (Bold – Pole position. Italics – Fastest lap. * – Most laps led. ^ – Most positions gained)

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – EuroNASCAR PRO results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 NWES Pts
2022 Racingfuel Motorsport 58 Chevy ESP
8 		ESP
17 		GBR GBR ITA ITA CZE
 CZE
 BEL
 BEL
 CRO
 CRO
 33rd* 50*

* Season still in progress.

References

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  1. ^ Briggs, Gemma (2008-10-20). "Werner and Luhr cap title-winning season with final Alms victory". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  2. ^ "Luhr, Graf win Baltimore GP, clinch ALMS title". ESPN.com. 2013-09-01. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  3. ^ "Porsche rivals combine for Le Mans win". Crash. 15 June 2003. Archived from the original on 27 January 2004. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  4. ^ Richards, Giles (2011-11-07). "JRM's Lucas Luhr and Michael Krumm grab FIA GT1 drivers' title". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  5. ^ "Luhr And Sims On Joining The BMW Gang". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  6. ^ Dagys, John (2015-07-28). "Luhr: "The 24H Spa Win is Huge, Especially for BMW" – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  7. ^ Newbold, James (2017-05-26). "Luhr: Porsche Return "Like Coming Home" – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  8. ^ DiZinno, Tony. SFHR, RW combine to provide Lucas Luhr his IndyCar debut at Sonoma, NBC Sports, 26 July 2013, Retrieved 2013-07-26
  9. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2000 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2001 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2002 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2003 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2004 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2005 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2006 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2007 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2008 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2009 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2010 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2011 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2012 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2013 American Le Mans Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Lucas Luhr Results". motorsportstats.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  25. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Lucas Luhr – 2015 Tudor United SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Lucas Luhr - 2016 Weathertech SportsCar Championship Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lucas Luhr.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Porsche Carrera Cup Germany champion
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American Le Mans Series champion
2008
with Marco Werner 		Succeeded by
Preceded by FIA GT1 World Champion
2011 with:
Michael Krumm 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American Le Mans Series champion
2012-2013
with Klaus Graf 		Succeeded by
End Series
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