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 44)
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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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 has 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 edit

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 edit

Racing record edit

American Le Mans Series results edit

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

YearTeamClassMakeEngine123456789101112Pos.PointsRef
2000Dick Barbour RacingGTPorsche 911 GT3-RPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6SEB
1
CHA
10
SIL
4
NÜR
1
SON
1
MOS
DNF
TEX
3
ROS
11
PET
3†
MON
10
LSV
2
ADE
1
2nd216[9]
2001Alex Job RacingGTPorsche 911 GT3-RSPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6TEX
1
SEB
1
DON
1
JAR
8
SON
5
POR
2
MOS
4
MID
6†
MON
3
PET
3
4th176[10]
2002Alex Job RacingGTPorsche 911 GT3-RSPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6SEB
1
SON
1
MID
DNF
AME
2
WAS
1
TRO
1
MOS
3
MON
1
MIA|
1
PET
1
1st245[11]
2003Alex Job RacingGTPorsche 911 GT3-RSPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6SEB
1
ATL
2
SON
1
TRO
1
MOS
4
ELK
4
LAG
1
MIA
1
PET
2
1st164[12]
2004Alex Job RacingGTPorsche 911 GT3-RSRPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6SEB
2
MID17th40[13]
BAM!LIM
DNF
SON
DNF
POR
DNF
MOSAMEPET
6
MON
8
2005Petersen Motorsports

White Lightning Racing

GT2Porsche 911 GT3-RSRPorsche 3.6 L Flat-6SEB
1
ATLMDOLRPSONPORELKMOSPET21st26[14]
Penske RacingLMP2Porsche RS SpyderPorsche MR6 3.4 L V8LAG
1
11th23
2006Penske RacingLMP2Porsche RS SpyderPorsche MR6 3.4 L V8SEB
2†
TEX
3†
MID
2
LIM
2
UTA
1
POR
2†
AME
2
MOS
1
PET
2
MON
1
1st184[15]
2007Audi Sport North AmericaLMP1Audi R10 TDIAudi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V12

(Diesel)

SEBSTPLNBTEXUTALIMMIDAMEMOSDETPET
4
22nd16th[16]
Petersen Motorsports

White Lightning Racing

GT2Ferrari F430GTFerrari 4.0L V8MON
DNF
NC-
2008Audi Sport North AmericaLMP1Audi R10 TDIAudi 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
1st219[17]
2009Audi Sport North AmericaLMP1Audi R15 TDIAudi TDI 5.5 L Turbo V10

(Diesel)

SEB
3
STPLBHUTALRPMDOELKMOSPET
4
LAG17th43[18]
2010Muscle Milk Team CytosportLMP2Porsche RS Spyder EvoPorsche MR6 3.4 L V8SEBLBHMONUTALIMMDOROAMOS
PET
2
17th26[19]
2011Muscle Milk Aston Martin RacingLMP1Lola-Aston Martin B08/62Aston Martin 6.0 L V12SEB
DNF
LBH
1
LRP
2
MOS
1
MDO
1
ELK
1
BALLAG
5
PET
DNF
3rd114[20]
2012Muscle Milk Pickett RacingP1HPD ARX-03aHonda LM-V8 3.4 L V8SEB
8†
LBH
1
LAG
1
LRP
1
MOS
1
MDO
1
ELK
2
BAL
3†
VIR
1
PET
3
1st195[21]
2013Muscle Milk Pickett RacingP1HPD ARX-03aHonda LM-V8 3.4 L V8SEB
4
LBH
1
LAG
1
1st182[22]
HPD ARX-03cLRP
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 edit

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLapsPos.Class
Pos.
2000 Dick Barbour Racing Dirk Müller
Bob Wollek
Porsche 911 GT3-RGT319DSQDSQ
2002 The Racer's Group Kevin Buckler
Timo Bernhard
Porsche 911 GT3-RSGT32216th1st
2003 Alex Job Racing
Petersen Motorsports
Sascha Maassen
Emmanuel Collard
Porsche 911 GT3-RSGT32014th1st
2007 Audi Sport Team Joest Mike Rockenfeller
Alexandre Prémat
Audi R10 TDILMP123DNFDNF
2008 Audi Sport Team Joest Mike Rockenfeller
Alexandre Prémat
Audi R10 TDILMP13744th4th
2009 Audi Sport North America Marco Werner
Mike Rockenfeller
Audi R15 TDILMP1104DNFDNF
2011 Flying Lizard Motorsports Jörg Bergmeister
Patrick Long
Porsche 997 GT3-RSRGTE
Pro
31018th6th
2013 Jota Sport Simon Dolan
Oliver Turvey
Zytek Z11SN-NissanLMP231913th7th
Source:[23]

Complete DTM results edit

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

YearTeamCar12345678910PosPoints
2007Team RosbergAudi A4 DTM 2006HOC
11
OSC
12
LAU
14
BRH
11
NOR
18†
MUG
Ret
ZAN
16
NÜR
16
CAT
8†
HOC
12
17th1

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

Complete GT1 World Championship results edit

YearTeamCar1234567891011121314151617181920PosPoints
2011JR MotorsportsNissan GT-RABU
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
1st137

IndyCar Series results edit

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

YearTeamChassisNo.Engine12345678910111213141516171819RankPointsRef
2013Sarah Fisher Hartman RacingDallara DW1297HondaSTPALALBHSAOINDYDET1DET2TXSMILIOWPOCTOR1TOR2MDOSNM
22
BALHOU1HOU2FON36th8[24]

Complete WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results edit

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

YearTeamClassMakeEngine1234567891011Pos.PointsRef
2014Muscle Milk Pickett RacingPOreca 03Nissan VK45DE 4.5 L V8DAY
5
SEB
13
LBHLAGDETWGLMOSIMSROACOAPET36th46[25]
2015BMW Team RLLGTLMBMW Z4 GTEBMW 4.4 L V8DAY
4
SEB
4
LBH
5
LAG
1
WGI
8
MOS
2
ROA
6
VIR
4
AUS
7
PET
2
5th291[26]
2016BMW Team RLLGTLMBMW M6 GTLMBMW S63 4.4 L Twin Turbo V8DAY
11
SEB
6
LBH
10
LGA
10
WGL
8
MOS
9
LIM
9
ELK
3
VIR
8
COT
7
PET
6
9th267[27]
Source:[23]

Complete NASCAR results edit

Whelen Euro Series – EuroNASCAR PRO edit

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

NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – EuroNASCAR PRO results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112NWESPts
2022Racingfuel Motorsport58ChevyESP
8
ESP
17
GBRGBRITAITACZE
CZE
BEL
BEL
CRO
CRO
33rd*50*

* Season still in progress.

References edit

  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.

External links edit

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