Customers from America, Australia, China and Europe, have taken possession of the first 12 Audi R8 LMS GT4 sports cars, Audi Sport customer racing’s third model in Neuburg an der Donau, in Germany.

Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH, and Chris Reinke, head of Audi Sport customer racing, welcomed the customers at Audi’s Neuburg location. Five race cars went to customers from the USA, two cars each to customers from Asia, one to Team Bourguignon from the Netherlands, one to Phoenix Racing from Germany and one to an Australian customer.

“A new project always symbolizes new beginnings. The first deliveries mark a special moment for our customers as well as for us. We wish the teams the best of success with the new Audi R8 LMS GT4,” said Reinke.

The race car delivers up to 364 kW (495 hp) and has been directly derived from the production model. It shares 60 per cent of the assemblies with its road-approved “brother,” and, like the road-going car, is built at the Böllinger Höfe site.

The GT4 category in North America, Europe and Asia has become an established element as an overall classification or class in more than 15 racing series and major individual events. Additionally, from 2018 onwards, the new GT4 model will be fielded in the Audi R8 LMS Cup.

Audi has successfully tested the R8 LMS GT4 this year on several occasions, including the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, where it secured a podium position and in the VLN Endurance Championship. Now, the first purely private racing commitments of the Audi R8 LMS GT4 are approaching when Phoenix Racing contests the Dubai 24 Hours with two cars from January 12 to 13, 2018.

Two weeks later, the season of the North American IMSA series will kick off at Daytona. On the first weekend in February, customers are going to contest the Bathurst 12 Hour before the Audi R8 LMS Cup starts its seventh season in March.

In addition to the Audi R8 LMS GT3 for top-flight racing and the Audi RS 3 LMS entry-level touring car, the Audi R8 LMS GT4 is Audi Sport customer racing’s third model. Audi has been offering the Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car since 2009 and delivered more than 200 units. Now Audi Sport’s portfolio of models has been extended once again.

The Audi R8 LMS GT4 can be ordered directly from Audi Sport customer racing at a price of 198,000 euros ($234,000). - TradeArabia News Service