The new Audi R8 LMS gave quite a good fight for its first 24HR race on the Nurburgring. Four R8's entered the race and all four finished! The "99" R8 led the race for almost all of the 1st 115 laps of the 150 total laps, and set the fastest laps for the race, but had a wheel bearing prob and finished 5th. The "97" Audi R8 finshed in 2nd place! The "98" R8 was in the top 6 positions during most of the race, but then had a transmission prob. They replaced the whole tranny during the race, and the car still finished in 12th place! The 4th R8 failed at the race's start, but finally got going, and made up over 120 positions, and finished in the top 25. Despite a few endurance problems, all four Audi R8's finished the race with some great results.

After the race I think the biggest raves about the new Audi R8 LMS, came from the 3 time winning, Porsche Manthey Team. All of their drivers repeatedly mentioned that they have all become very aware that they now have a very very serious new rival in these Gt3/GT2 endurance races.

I learned that the current R8 LMS cars are NOT sold to these private teams. These first R8 LMS cars are being given to select private teams to race in partnership with Audi Sports in an effort to finish the development of the R8 LMS before they are actually sold to the public. I think the car itself will finally be available for purchase sometime in the Fall. Its a great start for this fantastique car.

Too bad there are no R8's entered in Le Mans this year. I would love to see this rivalry continued in HDTV.

 

Cant wait to play with that black one in GT5 (if it ever comes out)

 

You stole my Pic!!!!!!!!!!!





that i stole from supercars no problems