Champion Racing team owner Dave Maraj saw twelve years of hard work reach its highest pinnacle yet when Tom Kristensen brought his #3 Audi R8 across the finishing line to win the 73rd Le Mans 24 Hours.

Not only did the Florida based team become the first American based outfit to win Le Mans outright in 37 years, Maraj's team will always be remembered as the team that allowed Kristensen to re-write history that looks set to remain for many years to come.

"For us, this win is everything, " exclaimed a jubilant Maraj. "To be able to win Le Mans after all these years of trying is just an absolutely amazing feat. And now it's given us the taste that we want to come back and do it again."

Champion will also go down as the final team to win at Le Mans with the astonishing Audi R8, the car's fifth La Sarthe victory in six years and its last before it is 'retired' at the end of the current season. Champion will also be known as the only team to win Le Mans with an R8 when the odds were stacked against them thanks to weight penalties and fuel tank restrictions.

After leading the race for nearly 20 of the 24 hours and withstanding a seemingly relentless pursuit by the quicker #16 Pescarolo-Judd, Kristensen was allowed to take the wheel for the final run to the flag, by which time the Audi's longevity had overcome the best the French built Pescarolo could throw at it.

"It's fantastic what we took from Sebring as a crew and made this one possible,” said Kristensen, who also partnered with Lehto and Werner in Champion's victorious Sebring 12 Hours entry. “Without the strong desire from Mr. Maraj to come here, I would never have had the chance to win my seventh victory.

“I drive full-time for DTM so I thank Audi AG for allowing me the privilege to drive for Champion Racing. This year was an extreme pleasure because of winning with these penalties. I also want to thank the Danish sponsor on our cars, Jyske Bank. It makes me extra motivated to do well."

While Kristensen has won one of the worlds toughest motor races seven times in just nine appearances, Lehto's win marks his first time on the top step of the podium since 1995, when he was a Le Mans rookie.

"Ten years ago when I won it the first time, I didn't really understand what it takes and what it means but now all the work we have been doing in the last years with Champion Racing, it just now is paying us back,” added the Finnish born driver.