the new r8 launch

[Eaton Dave <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

i tuned in to the r8 launch and had it running for the hour or so that it
took.  it wasn't live by this time but was interesting none the less.

with some obvious similarities, the new r8 is a significantly different
machine in detail, particularly around the front.  the rear wasn't shown
during the presentation so it was impossible to tell differences there for
now.  comment was made about the r8 name and ullrich made the (intriguing)
statement that the name does not refer to the number of cylinders but that
this is audi's 8th racer (1'd guess - auto union, 80gte, quattro, imsa, gto,
dtm, a4q, r8).  if the "8" doesn't refer to the number of cylinders is audi
going to go the v10 or v12 route?  the early engine was certainly a tt v8
built at audisport at neckarsulm (where the production v8s are also built).
it was impossible for me to tell from the engine note of the new machine
what sort of engine it was...

the drivers were an eclectic bunch in their sartorial elegance.

joest was his usual acerbic self.  can't help wondering what sort of grief
he must give his sponsers.  he has certainly caused porsche some grief over
the years.  won a few of  "their" races too.

a fair bit of emphasis by peafgen on winning le mans which shows balls.
including comments about other manufacturers who make all the effort and
only last a few hours (no prizes for guessing who)...  the same
manufacturers who had been neck and neck with audi before the war in f1, but
were able to be almost immediately successful in f1 after the war because
their motorsport factories weren't in the communist east (again paefgen's
comments).

also on the difficulty of this versus f1.  which shows a pr spin.

anyone else?

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q