RS Autowerks Audi R8 LMS GT3 Wins Overall and GT1 at Laguna Seca
RS Autowerks returned to competition at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a double victory: 1st overall and 1st in GT1 with the No. 62 Audi R8 LMS GT3 driven by Jacob Yesnick .
The result came during the 2026 Porsche Owners Club and PCA Club Racing weekend at Laguna Seca and marked the first race outing for this R8 LMS GT3 under the current RS Autowerks program. The No. 62 was the lone Audi in a Porsche-dominated field, competing at the front among 991.2-generation Porsche machinery and other GT-class race cars.
A Return to Racing
Led by Fabryce Kutyba, RS Autowerks returned to racing alongside longtime team members Neville Agass and Luis Costa, bringing together a group with extensive experience preparing, developing and supporting race cars.
That experience extends directly to the Audi R8. Members of the RS Autowerks team were involved with the R8 racing platform during its early professional racing history in North America beginning in 2010. That familiarity provided a strong foundation for preparing the car and understanding what the R8 needed at Laguna Seca.
Qualifying the R8
Yesnick began qualifying with a lap in the 1:30 range before improving as the session progressed. On his final run, the No. 62 recorded a 1:29.256, placing the Audi fifth overall and second in GT1.
The result put the R8 near the front of the field at a circuit where track position would prove especially important. Throughout the broadcast, Laguna Seca was repeatedly described as a track where passing opportunities exist, but completing a move without compromising corner exit and momentum can be difficult.
Finding Pace in the Race
The race presented a different set of challenges. Yesnick had to work through traffic and out-of-class battles before a red flag stopped the field. After the restart, the R8 remained caught behind traffic while the GT1 cars began finding more pace.
Once clear of the Porsche traffic, the lone Audi began to show its pace. Yesnick initially set the fastest lap of the race at 1:29.03 and began pulling away from the group behind.
The R8 then improved into the 1:28s, with the broadcast reporting a 1:28.6 and describing Yesnick as "by far and away the fastest car on track" at that stage of the race. His pace was approximately 1.5 seconds per lap quicker than the traffic he had just cleared.
That performance was more difficult from inside the car than it appeared from the outside. The R8 was dealing with a compromised damper, forcing Yesnick to adapt his driving style and manage the car's handling throughout the race.
Despite the issue, the Audi continued running at the front and gave the team a strong indication of the performance available from the platform.
A Final-Lap Fight for the Win
The race was not settled by the R8's earlier advantage. Alexandra Hainer found additional pace during the closing laps and eventually recorded a 1:27.7, taking fastest lap of the race and beginning to close on Yesnick at approximately one second per lap.
As the white flag came out, the gap had been reduced to approximately one second. Traffic remained a factor for both GT1 cars, leaving the overall and class victory undecided heading into the final lap.
Yesnick maintained the advantage through Laguna Seca's final sequence of corners, managing the R8 through Turn 6, the Corkscrew, Rainey Curve and Turn 11 before reaching the checkered flag first.
The result secured both victories: 1st place in GT1 and 1st place overall.
More Performance Still Available
Laguna Seca was the first outing for this R8 LMS GT3 under the current RS Autowerks program, and the weekend provided valuable data for continued development of the car.
Running a 1:28.6 while managing the damper issue gave the team an important baseline. Based on its post-race review and experience with the platform, RS Autowerks believes that with the damper functioning correctly, a lap in the 1:26 range or better was realistically within reach.
The result is therefore as important for what the team learned as it is for the trophies. The R8 showed strong pace on its first outing, while also identifying areas that can be addressed as the program continues to develop.
Jacob Yesnick
Yesnick brought an established motorsport background to the R8 program. Since 2022, he has competed in Trans Am TA2 competition, including races at circuits such as Laguna Seca and Sonoma, and has also qualified for national-level Trans Am events.
Away from competition, Yesnick works professionally in high-performance driver development. His experience includes high-performance driving instruction and his current role as Director of PTC Driving Academy, where he works with drivers on racecraft, vehicle dynamics and performance driving.
Laguna Seca represented another step in expanding that experience into GT racing. Managing the R8's damper issue while maintaining race-winning pace also gave the team another opportunity to evaluate and develop Yesnick within the GT3 platform.
RS Autowerks will continue developing the R8 program alongside Yesnick as he progresses through the next stages of his racing career.
Follow Jacob at @jacob_yesnick_racing or view his LinkedIn profile .
2027 Motorsport Support
RS Autowerks is currently accepting inquiries for customer motorsport support for the 2027 season, including both club racing and professional racing programs.
RS Autowerks offers motorsport support for GT3-class race cars, including platforms such as the Audi R8 LMS GT3, Mercedes-AMG GT3 and other comparable customer racing programs.
Support can include race preparation, vehicle setup and development, engineering support, trackside service and ongoing program development tailored to each car, driver and racing program.