Five Audi R8 LMS cars will contest in four classes of the endurance classic that has attracted around 70 prototypes and GT sports cars. The ‘GT Daytona’ (GTD) class for production-based sports cars, in which the Audi R8 LMS competes, consists of the largest contingent in the Florida classic, which has been a magnet for world class carmakers, teams and drivers. Audi Sport customer racing developed a GTD version of the GT3 customer racing racecar, which will have its debut race at the first event of new Tudor United SportsCar Championship (TUSCC). It was specially developed for the 24 hours of Daytona.
Audi R8 LMS in GTD form is derived from the R8 road car, with which it shares over 50 percent of its technology like its ASF aluminum chassis, a V10 engine with rebuild intervals of 20,000 kilometers, and the sophisticated suspension that incorporates double wishbones.
Romolo Liebchen, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, remarked that they competed at Daytona in 2013 to highlight the qualities of the R8, which was perfectly achieved by taking a one-two finish in the GT class. He said that the win helped increase demand for the R8 in the United States. “We are delighted that four teams now rely on the Audi R8 LMS to begin the TUSCC – particularly as all four teams have a good reputation in the USA,” Liebchen said.
