Audi develops GT3 challenger

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For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Gy�r.

�The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme,� explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. �Ever since the R8 was unveiled we�ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle.�

The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.

Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.

The Audi R8, which bears the project name �R16″ within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.

The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers is planned from the autumn of this coming year.

The customer cars are manufactured together by Audi Sport and the quattro GmbH, which is also responsible for production of the Audi R8 street version, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. (Gy�r).

Planetlemans

[Plex]

General Information
Vehicle Type:2-door coupe,race car
DrivetrainConfiguration:MidEngine/RWD
Engine:V10
Horsepower:500 bhp @ ---- rpm
Transmission:6-Speed Sequential

Fast-Autos

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Audi R8 GT3 race car debuts at Essen Motor Show





Audi�s motorsport division announced plans back in August to launch a 500hp-plus (373kW) version of the R8 for use in next year�s GT3 series, and today the car made its debut at the Essen Motor Show in Germany.



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.



Motorauthority

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Emilio Radaelli (Audi Sport Italia) and Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich during the hand-over of the first Audi R8 LMS

First Audi R8 LMS Delivered

First Audi R8 LMS is delivered to Audi Sport Italia to compete in Italian GT Championship



* Audi Sport Italia receives car with chassis number 101
* Six teams rely on the new GT3 sports car
* First races in April

The new customer sport program of AUDI AG has reached the next stage with delivery of the first Audi R8 LMS to Audi Sport Italia. Twelve examples of the over 500 hp GT3 sports car will be delivered during the forthcoming weeks to six customer teams. The first races for the R8 LMS are scheduled for April.

Audi Sport Italia receives the Audi R8 LMS with chassis number 101. The symbolic handover of the first customer car was made on Tuesday in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. Emilio Radaelli, Team Manager of Audi Sport Italia, accepted the R8 LMS from Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

"In the future our new customer sport program represents Audi Sport�s third business field alongside our factory programs in the DTM and in sport prototypes," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "2009 is a test and development year during which we aim to collect as much experience as possible with the R8 LMS. We are delighted to be able to do this with teams with which we are familiar and have established a solid partnership over the years."

In the 2009 season, Abt Sportsline, Argo Racing, ORECA, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg also trust the new GT3 sports car from AUDI AG. Audi Sport will start the delivery to customers for the 2010 season from fall 2009.

The six customer teams plan to race in five European GT3 championships as well as in the 24-hour race at the N�rburgring for which Audi Sport has developed an endurance version of the R8 LMS.

Twelve R8 LMS sports cars will be in action in more than 40 events at almost 30 European circuits throughout the 2009 motorsport season. "This allows us to collect a lot of experience which will flow into the development of the R8 LMS," says Oliver Straube who is responsible for marketing of the R8 LMS at Audi Sport.

With the GT3 race version of the R8, Audi Sport developed a racing sports car specifically for use in customer sport with the GT3 race version. Pure "factory" entries are not planned with the R8 LMS.

The assembly of the race cars including the body shells is made by quattro GmbH in Heilbronn-Biberach in a factory hall specifically for the customer sport program. The Audi factory in Gy�r, Hungary, deliver the V10 engines.

The new Audi R8 LMS competes in GT3 race series for the first time over the Easter weekend (10 to 13 April). The French GT Championship and the ADAC GT Masters start at the same time at Nogaro (France) and in the Motorsportarena Oschersleben (Germany).

2009 Schedule

FIA GT3 European Championship (Phoenix Racing, Team Rosberg)

05/03 Silverstone (GB)
05/17 Adria (I)
06/21 Oschersleben (D)
09/13 Algarve (P)
10/04 Paul Ricard (F)
11/14 Dubai (UAE)

ADAC GT Masters (Abt Sportsline, Argo Racing, Phoenix Racing, Team Rosberg)

04/13 Oschersleben (D)
05/10 Assen (NL)
06/07 Hockenheim (D)
07/05 EuroSpeedway (D)
08/23 N�rburgring (D)
09/20 Sachsenring (D)
10/18 Oschersleben (D)

French GT Championship (ORECA)

04/13 Nogaro (F)
05/10 Dijon-Prenois (F)
05/31 Magny-Cours (F)
07/05 Val de Vienne (F)
09/06 Albi (F)
10/04 Paul Ricard (F)
10/18 L�denon (F)

Italian GT Championship (Audi Sport Italia)

05/31 Vallelunga (I)
06/07 Magione (I)
06/21 Mugello (I)
07/19 Misano (I)
09/06 Imola (I)
09/27 Mugello (I)
10/18 Monza (I)

Belgiam GT Championship (Phoenix Racing)

04/26 Zolder (B)
05/10 Spa-Francorchamps (B)
06/06 Spa-Francorchamps (B)
07/11 Spa-Francorchamps (B)
08/22 Zolder (B)
09/20 Algarve (P)
10/11 Zolder (B)

Long distance championship N�rburgring (Phoenix Racing)

04/04 N�rburgring (D)
04/18 N�rburgring (D)
05/02 N�rburgring (D)
06/13 N�rburgring (D)
06/27 N�rburgring (D)
07/18 N�rburgring (D)
08/29 N�rburgring (D)
10/03 N�rburgring (D)
10/17 N�rburgring (D)
10/31 N�rburgring (D)

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