Audi R8 LMS hits the RING this weekend!

[Bodhii]

The Audi R8 LMS hits the circuit for the first time this weekend at the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife.

God, how I hate the new cow fencing material now used in these new grilles.

After the Audi R15’s successful race debut in the 12 Hours of Sebring, Audi is hoping for another successful race debut this weekend with the Audi R8 LMS owned by Team Phoenix Racing.

As we’ve known for some time, the Audi R8 LMS is a 500-hp rear-wheel drive version of the street going R8. The GT3-spec monster hits the circuit for the first time this weekend at the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The R8 LMS racing this weekend is owned by an independent team, Team Phoenix Racing, and kicks-off Audi’s customer sport program.

Joining Team Phoenix Racing are three former Audi “factory” drivers who drove various Audi motorsports cars to numerous victories. Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy), and Hans-Joachim Stuck (Austria) will drive the R8 LMS in its first race this Saturday on the Nürburgring.

Biela and Pirro both retired from the Audi factory team last year. They won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times together. Individually, they each had many successes with the team including winning the German Touring Car Championship. Stuck has been out of the Audi driver seat the longest (1995), but rejoined the Volkswagen Group last year as the Representative for Motorsport.

As with the Sebring Race in Florida, this race is meant to be a test run in racing conditions for further development of the R8 LMS. “Our three legends have a lot of experience and will provide us with important feedback for the continuing development of our new GT3 vehicle for the customer sport program,” said head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We want to learn as much as possible. Therefore, the outcome of the race tends to be of lesser importance.”

[mngolfer]

Does anyone know how we can watch this race?

[desperado]

God, how I hate the new cow fencing material now used in these new grilles.

Absolutely. The hexagon shapes in the RS4-B7 grille (and the R8 TDI Concept) is much more attractive!

[Bodhii]

Great Pic!

[harrison]

Hey DESPERADO and BODHII !! I am with you on this one.But I have seen a few grills that look like Cattle crossing guards that look even better than my new grill. Gladstones...Here we come !!

[bz888]

Anyone know what gearbox the LMS is using? Hollinger Sequential? R-Tronic? Stick Manual?

[Bodhii]

Sequential with paddles and clutch pedal for override

[bz888]

Awesome! Do you think it's an R-Tronic variant? or what?

[harrison]

Those paddles look familiar. What's better paddles on wheel or fixed on column like Lambo

[Bodhii]

For high speed technical driving, the paddles really need to be on the wheel. The paddles move with the wheel. Your shifting finger's position with the paddle is always the same. During performance driving, the driver's hands are always in the 9 and 3 oclock positions. Neither hand should be removed while driving ( except to shift a manual). You should NEVER crossover with your hands on the wheels while turning. ... I know this is very different than what most people want. So it puts the auto maker into a difficult position. Do they mount the shifters where proper driving technique dictates, or go for what the majority of its customers prefer,... even though it represents sloppier and unprofessional driving technique.