Pit Crew releasing the Audi R8 LMS Ultra, after a compulsory stop, during the Masters endurance legends Race at Silverstone
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 Gyr. “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 weve 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. Audi respects the spirit of the class – to offer production based, low-cost but powerful racing cars – in all aspects of the vehicle conception. 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.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2009, 2023, 5200cc, action, audi, black, circuit, close-, crew, drivers, endurance, festival, frank, green, international, lane, legends, lms, masters, pit, r8, race, shot, silverstone, sport, stop, towcester, ultra, vasily, viadykin, wrathall
