Audi R8 GRAND-AM enjoys successful test at Daytona
Posted 11th December, 2011 in Audi, Motorsport | Leave a comment
After track tests in Europe, the Audi R8 GRAND-AM race car has completed its final testing program at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway with Frank Stippler covering 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) over two days, last week.
Based on the successful LMS GT3 race car, quattro GmbH has reworked the R8 in order for it to compete in the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in North America.
Unlike its European cousin, rules dictate that the ABS and traction control systems have to be disabled in the R8 GRAND-AM, but it does benefit from the uprated radiator package that was developed for the new R8 LMS ultra.
At the moment, the R8 GRAND AM’s rating is yet to be determined; Audi has provided the series’ engineers with a 5.2 L V10, who will carry out a performance analysis on the unit. Once the rating is available the engine’s power output and homologation weight can be defined.
Audi of America will be supplying a maximum of four cars, along with its support program, for the 2012 season, with Opelika’s APR Motorsport being the first team to field the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. Three other teams are in the final stages of securing a package.
[Source: Audi Motorsport]
