German magazine SPEEDWEEK reports that Audi will attack the 24 hrs of the Nürburgring with four (!) R8 LMS GT3! In German: http://www.speedweekmagazin.com/news...s-wissen!.html Two will be entered by Abt Sportsline with Marco Werner, Mathias Ekström and Timo Scheider and Pierre Kaffer, Lucas Luhr and Mike Rockenfeller. Christian Abt will be entered on both cars. Phoenix will also enter two cars with Biela, Pirro, Hans Stuck sr. and Stippler, Hemroulle and Basseng! Together with two factory supported Manthey Porsche this sounds like this years 24hrs will be one of the most interesting issues in recent years! When considered with Audi's commitment to winning Le Mans this year there seems a new move to establishing racing credentials for the marque of speed and endurance, getting away from DTC and focusing on endurance and sportscar racing. Like Audi has had a little think and come out fighting. This makes the N24 even better value for attending fans. Must be close to the best racing weekend available. Le Mans is great but costs more.
Is Audi the new BMW? it seems like they want to participate/dominate in every possible series, a la BMW in the late 80's/early 90's.
Think the idea of their R8 GT3 was to have customer teams do it for them. Maybe some Porsche think there. Certainly their R8 road car needs some race cred badly. Don't know the US situation but UK and Australia sees the R8 as a poseurs car with poor resale interest. Am sure Audi would like a little of that 911 magic if they can just figure out how its made.
