Audi R8 named official safety car of DTM series

Posted Mon Jun 30 2008 12:26 PM by Nelson Ireson

Two of Audi's R8 sports cars have been handed over to the German Motorsport Association at the Norisring Speed Weekend event. One will be used as the official safety car for the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) race series, while the other, specially prepped by Audi's in-house tuners at quattro GmbH will be used as a racing taxi.

The safety car is outfitted with lights, special paintwork and graphics and special equipment inside. "There were not many modifications required, though, because the R8 possesses the genes of a perfect sports car,” said Werner Frowein, managing director of quattro GmbH.

Mercedes and Audi are the only two constructors involved in the DTM championship, leaving the options for safety cars rather limited. Until the R8 was chosen, the official safety car had been a Mercedes, most recently the C63 AMG. The official safety car of Formula 1 is also a Mercedes, this season the SL 63 AMG.

Official Audi R8 DTM Safety Car

Gallery: Audi R8 DTM Safety Car

Reader Comments

Mon Jun 30 2008 2:02 PM
justin says

both strikingly beautiful, i applaud Audi for doing such an magnificant job, but lets just hope bloody porsche dosen't ruin all this.

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