http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2011/09/Audi-release.asp I'll have to wear my Audi visor under my Ferrari hat. Image Unavailable, Please Login
One more nail in the coffin of the ALMS. Its a shame how the ALMS "leadership" let their product arrive at where it is now. A damn shame.
Let's see, all Audi has to do to get the R8 into Grand Am is: - Replace the dangerous Euro roll cage with a wonderful American spec cage - Install Grand Am aero - Reduce HP - Reduce the fuel tank size - Eliminate anti-lock brakes - Eliminate traction control The R8 will then be dumb enough to race in Grand Am. Well done.
The reason that the ACO has kept the R8 out of Le Mans and ALMS is it's Quattro all wheel drive. As we saw in TransAM in the mid-80's, Audi's Quattro drive is a huge advantage in handling and tire wear. Dumbing the cars down is one thing, charging potential customer teams $1+m for an example when the main competition, Mazda, comes to the game with a $500k car that regularly beats the likes of Porsche, Camaro, Mustang, etc. is another. Wait and see who actually steps up and buys an R8 first. As the ACO fretted, this car will open a can of worms that GrandAM may wish they'd never allowed in BHW
