Racing legends

When you think of racing memorabilia, most of us would imagine apparel emblazoned with motorsport logos, flags or perhaps even models of their favourite race cars. But imagine if you were given the opportunity to own the real thing, a racing prototype from the Audi Sport stable, in fully drivable condition, to add to your collection?

That scenario is now a reality through the newly created Audi Sport racing legends project team, with a select number of prototypes from the LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype) and DTM (German Touring Car Championship) racing programs being made available to a select few collectors.

The cars on offer are the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the RS 5 DTM – vehicles that have battled and won in two of the world’s most demanding motorsports series – the World Endurance Championship and the DTM.

While the winning examples of each era are retained and tended by Audi Tradition to be used at events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the rebuilt prototypes are nevertheless, faithful in every detail and represent a genuine part of the brand’s racing history.

“We are rebuilding these chassis together with reconditioned parts from that time into racing cars according to strict standards and with a high level of expertise,” says Rolf Michl, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH.

“In some cases, even the developers from that era are involved in the current projects. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the RS 5 DTM are two of the fastest racing cars we have ever built. Our customers become part of a select circle, benefit from our motorsport expertise and receive comprehensive support.” 

To launch the project, chassis 107 of the RS 5 DTM and chassis 207 of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro were presented to potential collectors at Audi Sport racing legend’s headquarters at Neuburg last week. The R18 chassis responsible for victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC at Spa-Francorchamps in 2012, with Romain Dumas, Loïc Duval and Marc Gené sharing the driving duties. The RS 5 DTM chassis also enjoyed success at the highest levels of the sport, with Timo Schieder winning the DTM final in Hockenheim in 2015.

The Audi Sport racing legends project team will now travel to the Jim Clark Revival in Hockenheim  in Germany next month and then on to the Le Mans Classic event in France and the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July to present this special opportunity to select audiences at these classic motorsports events.

The first of the race cars is expected to be delivered to its new owner in the coming months, with ongoing support also provided as part of the experience in the shape of regular technical inspections and service if desired, along with parts and expert advise to the new owners.

It’s an extraordinary offer that will allow a select few collectors to add a working piece of the brand’s rich motorsport history to their own collections and represents perhaps the ultimate piece of race memorabilia that most can only dream about.