A decade of speed

Well known all around the world, Audi Sport customer racing is celebrating 10 glorious years and an incredible record of success in a relatively short period of time. Boasting an outstanding stable of vehicles, the Audi Sport cars have been at the very forefront of international motorsport since the very beginning, the awesome Audi R8 LMS blazing the way from its first introduction in 2008.

From its first year of competition, the R8 LMS GT3 established itself taking three driver championship titles in its first year. Fast forward to today and that number now tops 52 around the world, as well as other class titles in 12-, 24- and even 25-hour races. 

During its seven-year model cycle, a total of 137 R8 LMS race cars were built for the Asian, Australian, European, North and South American markets, winning the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2011 on debut and successfully defending the title in 2012. The race car is still popular and successful in classes for cars of older generations such as those in Australian club sport, most recently with Audi driving experience instructor, Daniel Gaunt at the wheel. 

In 2011, Audi Sport customer racing expanded its program with the addition of the TT RS. Aimed specifically at a small niche market,  the 279kW front-wheel drive model saw duty at the Nürburgring and in various club sport series winning a huge number of class victories in Europe and in the United States, including winning the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in California in 2013.

In 2015, the brand added two new race cars. For three years, the Audi TT cup car for the Audi Sport TT Cup and the second generation of the Audi R8 LMS delivering up to 430kW. Once again the new R8 LMS immediately achieving success with endurance racing victories at Daytona, the Nürburgring, at Spa, Bathurst, Sepang and Laguna Seca, plus championship wins around the globe. To date, 103 race cars of this model have been built and delivered to customers. 

Joining the Audi Sport lineup next was the Audi RS 3 LMS at the end of 2016. Although still being evaluated to race in Australia, the 257kW, front-wheel-drive race car notched up five title wins in its first year.

The most recent addition to the range is the Audi R8 LMS GT4. A one-two class win in the 24 Hours of Dubai marked a brilliant start to the season in January this year.

“The interest by our customers and their successes show that our model offensive is paying off,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing (pictured). 

“In the current season alone, our teams have contested 158 races across all classes and celebrated 53 victories in the process (including another Bathurst 12 hour win in February). We’re proud of having such strong teams and drivers among our customers in a fiercely competitive environment.” 

In addition to the events contested by its customers, Audi Sport customer racing competes in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the FIA GT World Cup and the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup. The brand also supports individual teams in large-scale individual events such as the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa.