Audi Sport in GT4 racing: Growth spurt with the Audi R8 LMS GT4

The Audi R8 LMS GT4 is the most recent addition to Audi Sport customer racing’s program. Following its debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2017 and subsequent initial testing it is available to customers around the world for the 2018 racing year. In January, the new race car managed a brilliant start to the season: Team Phoenix Racing celebrated a one-two result in the GT4 class in the 24-hour race in Dubai.

The GT4 category has all the prerequisites for becoming the next crowd-pleaser. Just like the GT3 class has been thrilling fans around the globe for more than ten years, the “little brothers” defined as GT4 cars deliver equally fascinating racing. Production-based sports cars from notable manufacturers, a great diversity of brands, thrilling races and full fields are the success formula of this up-and-coming category.

With the R8 LMS GT4 Audi commits to this growth category that is attracting more and more enthusiasts. Around the world, these race car models are admitted to 21 series, plus they participate in major individual races such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Their success in racing is based on the production model which offers optimum genes for use in motorsport. The mid-engine concept, the 5.2-liter V10 aspirated engine, the Audi Space Frame featuring a mixed multi-material construction, the double-wishbone suspensions front and rear and the S tronic seven-speed double-clutch transmission embody the DNA from racing. Some 60 percent of all components have been adopted directly in the GT4 model. As well as for the Audi R8 Coupé V10 RWS (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.4, combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 283) the production of the GT4 race car starts at the Böllinger Höfe site before Audi Sport customer racing completes the racing version in a dedicated factory.

Additional synergies result from the GT3 program Audi launched in 2009. Customers, for example, benefit from a worldwide service network supported by four satellites – two in Asia and one each in Australia and in the United States. For the price of only 198,000 euros (excluding VAT), customers acquire ready-to-race car that is suitable for sprint as well as for endurance racing competitions. Long service intervals for central assemblies such as the engine and transmission keep cost of ownership within an economical range as well.

Since December 15, Audi Sport has been delivering the Audi R8 LMS GT4 with power output of up to 364 kW (495 hp) to customers around the world. “The strong international interest confirms our concept,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “Thanks to its diverse fielding opportunities the GT4 class is an international growth category and, consequently, an important pillar of our program.” As early as in February, Audi produced the 50th R8 LMS GT4.

In 2018, the many established series in North America, Europe and Asia are expanded by additional ones: In Europe, the GT4 Nordic European Cup, the GT4 Central European Cup and the GT4 Belgium are covering new attractive markets starting this year. In Australia, drivers are now allowed to field their GT4 race cars in the popular Australian GT.

Audi’s customers are able to participate in two one-make cups as well. The Audi R8 LMS Cup with races in Australia, Germany, China and Malaysia reserves a dedicated class for the GT4 race cars with the four rings. In Europe, the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup with rounds in Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Italy offers a field exclusively for the Audi R8 LMS GT4.

The combination of economical fielding conditions, effective marketing of the GT4 racing series, high competitiveness with quality fields and the fascination exuded by production-based sports cars paves the way for a prospering future of this class. As in GT3 racing and in the TCR class, Audi intends to establish itself with the R8 LMS GT4 as one of the leading manufacturers to offer race cars in this segment.