audi to also race gt prototypes with the r8

["Dave Eaton" <Dave.Eaton@clear.net.nz>]

from the wire.....

also news that stefan johansson (ex ferrari and mclaren f1 pilot) will join
the audi le mans squad (to race the gt car).  this means that audi now have
5 former winners of the le ans race in their squad...

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q
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Audi have added two 'fully enclosed' R8 Coupes to the two open R8R
sportscars they will run in the prestigious Le Mans 24
Hours this year.  The R8 Coupes, known as R8C, will run in the GT Prototype
category. They borrow many mechanical components from the R8R including the
V8 engine and sequential six-speed gearbox.

'By entering both versions, the open and closed cars, we are making the very
most of our opportunity to do well with the R8
at Le Mans,' explained Audi's head of sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Unlike the R8R which will be run by the Le Mans winning Joest squad, the R8C
will be run by Audi Sport UK. Team Joest will
give the Audi R8R its first comprehensive race test at the Sebring 12 Hours
on March 20.