Keen for some more onboard action to get you ready for tomorrow’s Bathurst 12 Hour race. Here’s a couple of laps from inside the #23 Lamborghini Gallardo with David Russell posting what was a GT lap record (2:05.9s) and also Laurens Vanthoor driving the #3 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS.
Factory Porsche driver Patrick Long, who is racing in the Class B entered #12 911 Carrera Cup car, drops in to give his impressions after his first visit to Bathurst.
Audi is readying itself to tackle Porsche head on with plans to produce a road-going R8 GT3, based on the V10 powered LMS racecar. The R8 LMS made a successful motorsport debut in 2009 very nearly winning the Nürburgring 24 hour race at its first attempt as well as delivering the 2009 FIA European GT3 drivers title to Phoenix Racing.
The racecar program is over subscribed, with an extra 30 cars set to be made this year, in addition to the 24 made in 2009. Audi insiders have confirmed a road-going prototype is currently under going evaluation, but a final decision on series production has yet to be made.
So, what do you reckon—should Audi add to the already impressive R8 production line up? I know what my answer is. If you’re struggling to make a decision check out the images after the jump and see if they can inspire to come to a conclusion.
[Source: Autocar]
Audi have recently announced they will be offering cashed up wannabe racing drivers a seat in an R8 LMS. Two GT3 cars will be prepared by the Joest Racing Team, the guys responsible for six of Audi’s recent Le Mans victories.
Joest will be entering up to six VLN races at the Nürburgring this year, among other activities, and if you have the cash for this “Race Experience” you could find yourself in the hot seat.
“For the first time, the Audi race experience offers customers the opportunity to participate in a race with a professional Audi ‘factory’ team without having to enter into a long-term commitment or to make a high financial investment,†explains Klaus Demel, who is in charge of the Audi driving experience. “I’m very happy that we’ve been able to win Audi Sport and Reinhold Joest’s team as a partners for this project.â€
Joest kicks off their VLN season on 24 April, so you’d better start saving your pennies!