The new car has been designed for private customer teams and fully conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations, which means they will be allowable in numerous national and international competitions.
Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of AWD, the Audi R8 comes with a modified RWD powertrain and a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension is almost completely stock, with most of the modifications focusing on weight reduction and improving the car’s aerodynamics package. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.
The R8 race car, which bears the project name ‘R16’ within Audi’s motorsport division, has already conducted a number of shakedown tests at the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela. The latest prototype was also being tested by German tuning firm ABT Sportsline, and Audi has confirmed that three additional cars will be built for the actual Le Mans race, and as many as eight private team cars could also be built if interest is high enough. Audi Motorsport itself does not plan to campaign the car however, reports Sweden's Auto Motor & Sport.
The new R8 race car is joined in Essen by other members of the Audi motorsport family, including this year’s winning Le Mans car, the Audi R10 TDI driven by Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, and the Audi A4 DTM in which Timo Scheider clinched the championship title just a few weeks ago.
Reader Comments
Wed Aug 27 2008 8:36 AM
nathan monroe says
I like! Audi has really stepped its game up. i wonder what racing series Lamborghini will enter?
Wed Aug 27 2008 10:54 AM
Mike says
Nathan, Lamborghini already races Gallardos in GT3 and the Mucielago R-GT in GT2
Tue Nov 18 2008 8:46 AM
mburleigh8 says
That is very cool.
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