(from Audi Press Release) The Audi R8,
which has dominated the sports car scene for four years, is developing
into a true classic. Audi customer and importer teams will again profit
from the ground breaking technology of the Audi R8 and its powerful 550
hp FSI engine during the 2004 season. The Audi customer teams Champion,
Goh and Veloqx contest the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), the 24 Hours
of Le Mans and the new European Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) thanks
to the support of the Audi importers in North America, Japan and Great
Britain.
The Audi R8 is the
competitors’ benchmark
“Even if we concentrate on the DTM from
the factory side in 2004, the involvement in sports cars remains an
important component for Audi,” says Audi Motorsport chief Dr Wolfgang
Ullrich. “Our importers and customer teams can operate at the highest
level with the Audi R8 customer sport prototype car and, as a result,
have the best chances of victory. In the meantime we know just how high
we have pushed the standard for the competition with the R8.”
“Vorsprung durch
Technik” also without rear-end change
Also, the technical superiority of Audi
did not remain overlooked by the rule makers. Several changes were
passed for 2004. Now it is forbidden to change the complete gearbox
during the race. Audi had also proved “Vorsprung durch Technik” in this
field by developing a unique system that allowed the complete rear end
to be changed in about three minutes. Nevertheless, the Audi teams will
continue to benefit from the advantages of the Audi R8 modular design:
By separating the rear end from the engine, the gearbox internals can be
changed faster than with a conventional design. During the shorter ALMS
and LMES races the rear end change plays a different role. “Up until
now, it was only necessary after an accident in the ALMS,” says Dr
Ullrich.
New aerodynamic version
for Le Mans
While last year´s regulations are still
valid for the ALMS, a narrower rear wing is mandatory at Le Mans and for
the 2004 LMES. Audi re-worked the R8 in the wind tunnel and a new
aerodynamic version, which recovers some of the downforce lost, is
available for the customer teams at the Le Mans pre-test at the end of
April. “The wind tunnel and circuit tests were extremely encouraging,”
explains Dr Ullrich. “Our target was to be a step ahead of the
opposition also under the new regulations.“
High-calibre driver
squad
The top-class drivers who line up for the
R8 customer teams during the 2004 season are a guarantee for further
successes. Four ex-Formula 1 drivers number among the twelve men Audi
importer star squad: Six of the nine current Audi works drivers and no
less than eight Le Mans winners. “That our customer teams can compete
with such a high-calibre driver team speaks volumes for the Audi R8,”
explains Dr Ullrich. “Whether Formula 1 stars, legends such as Paul
Frère or newcomers like Pierre Kaffer and Jamie Davies: Up to now
everybody who has driven an Audi R8 was impressed.”
Allan McNish again in
an Audi R8
Also ex-Formula 1 driver Allan McNish,
who won the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) as Audi works driver in 2000,
sits at the wheel of an Audi R8 during the 2004 season. The Scot was
enthusiastic after his first test with the current R8: “The R8 was
already back then a fantastic car, but today it is even better. The FSI
engine is particularly impressive.”
Audi Sport UK with new
team
Allan McNish drives for the new Audi
Sport UK Team Veloqx that will compete at Le Mans and in the LMES with
two Audi R8 prototypes. Team ADT Champion Racing, the team supported by
Audi Sport North America, and Audi Sport Japan Team Goh each enter a
further R8 at Le Mans. Furthermore, Champion aims to win the American Le
Mans Series. Goh contests the LMES.
Support by Audi works
drivers
Audi Sport supports the three Audi
customer teams during the 2004 season both technically and with their
squad of Audi works drivers. Le Mans winner Rinaldo Capello (Italy),
newcomer Pierre Kaffer (Germany) and the defending ALMS champion Marco
Werner (Germany) are in sports car action full-time. The Audi DTM
drivers Frank Biela (Germany), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Emanuele
Pirro (Italy), who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times in succession
together, line up at the start this time for three different Audi
customer teams.
Fourth Le Mans victory
in the sights
The targets for the 2004 season are
clear: “Our customer teams will do everything within their power to
ensure the fourth Audi victory at Le Mans, to win the ALMS for the fifth
time in a row and to win the first ever LMES title,” says Dr Ullrich.
Technical Data
Vehicle type
Le Mans Prototype (LMP 900)
Chassis
Carbon fibre monocoque, crash structure ACO and FIA approved, CFK
rollbars front and rear, carbon fibre body
Engine
V8 engine, turbo charged, 90 degree cylinder angle, 4 valves per
cylinder, 2 Garrett turbo charges, to comply with the rules 2 x 30.7 mm
air restrictors and boost pressure restriction to 1.67 bars absolute,
direct fuel injection FSI
Engine management: Bosch MS 2.9
Engine lubrication: Dry sump, Shell lubricants
Displacement: 3600 cc
Output: about 550 hp
Torque: more than 700 Nm
Transmission: Rear wheel drive
Clutch: CFK clutch
Gearbox
Sequential 6-speed sports gearbox, partner Ricardo
Differential
Multiple-disc limited-slip differential
Driveshafts
Constant-velocity plunging tripod joints
Steering
Rack-and-pinion power steering
Suspension
Independent suspension front and rear, double-wishbone suspension,
pushrod system with spring/damper unit, adjustable gas-filled shock
absorbers
Brakes
Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, monobloc light-alloy brake
calipers, ventilated carbon fibre brake discs at front and rear, brake
balance adjustable by driver
Rims
O.Z. forged magnesium rims,front: 13.5 x 18 inches, rear 14.5 x 18
inches
Tyres
Michelin Radial, front: 33/65-18, rear: 37/71-18
Length: 4650 mm
Width: 2000 mm
Height: 1080 mm
Minimum weight: 900 kgs
Fuel tank capacity: Le Mans/LMES: 80, ALMS: 90 ltrs |
