Audi has developed a race version of the R8, which is a rear-wheel drive, 500bhp GT3 version of the road car and it is available to customers in time for the 2009 race season.
Logistics and factory space required for the racing programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ with the R8's first race outing planned early next year.
"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.
The Audi R8 is allowed to participate in numerous race series since it conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations, though the track-only R8 will have to do with only rear-wheel drive as regulations prohibit the use of Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system. Power will be transmitted through a new six-speed sequential gearbox and downforce is improved by modifying the front end and the addition of a large rear wing.
First prototypes of the R8 GT3 version completed a roll-out this August at the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.
Dejan Jovanovic - 27 Aug 2008