Audi R8 LMS GT4

Audi Sport GmbH
R8 LMS GT4
Production period:	since 2017
Class :	race car
Racing series	Group GT4
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.2 liters (364 kW)
Length:	4467 mm
Width:	1990-2037 mm
Height:	1240 mm
Wheelbase :	2650 mm
Empty weight :	1460 kg

The Audi R8 LMS GT4 is a racing car of the GT4 group that was developed on the basis of the second generation Audi R8 . Sales began in October 2017. The Audi works team Audi Sport Team Phoenix had already used the vehicle for test and trial purposes in various races. After the Audi R8 LMS GT3 and the Audi RS 3 LMS , the car is the third customer sports car from Audi Sport customer racing .

history

The customer sports program at Audi Sport GmbH is growing steadily. After Audi Sport has offered the Audi R8 LMS GT3 racing car since 2009 , introduced the second generation ( Audi R8 LMS GT3 ) in 2015 and has offered the Audi RS 3 LMS for the TCR category since 2016 , the model portfolio expanded again in 2017. The Audi R8 LMS was presented in its GT4 variant in the run-up to the New York International Auto Show on April 11, 2017. The audience experienced the near-series GT sports car in racing for the first time at the 24 Hours at the Nürburgring from May 25 to 28, 2017. The GT4 class , which originally came from Europe, will be marketed internationally from 2017 and can be used in America, Asia, Australia and Europe. In addition to the GT3 category , the GT4 class will expand on a global scale from 2017. Audi Sport has developed a new customer sport model for this category - the R8 LMS GT4. The "little brother" of the GT3 model is based even more closely on the Audi R8 Coupé , shares more than 60 percent of its assemblies with the street-legal sports car and is also produced at the production site in the Böllinger Höfe industrial area in Heilbronn . Audi is thus creating synergies from which the customers of the new racing car should benefit in terms of acquisition and maintenance costs. Audi developed the GT4 model with up to 364 kW (495 PS), depending on the classification, in the course of the 2017 season, before the final homologation status was achieved and the sports license was applied for. In the second half of 2017, Chris Reinke's team, Head of Audi Sport customer racing , prepared the production of the racing car. The new Audi R8 LMS GT4 was handed over to customers from December 2017. With the R8 LMS GT4, Audi Sport has access to a global network of service, spare parts logistics and specialist support. Audi Sport customer racing has already established this infrastructure for the GT3 project on four continents and will also use this network for the GT4 series.

technology

The V10 engine of the Audi R8 LMS GT4 can deliver up to 364 kW (495 hp) - depending on the classification within the scope of the current Balance of Performance , which is intended to enable balanced competition between all racing cars . The 5.2-liter naturally aspirated engine is being built at Audi Hungaria's Győr site and only has a new exhaust system, the air flow limiter stipulated by the regulations and an adapted data status for the standard control unit . Since quattro all-wheel drive is banned in the GT4 class, Audi Sport relies on a 7-speed dual clutch transmission in combination with rear-wheel drive via a mechanical limited-slip differential . The chassis of the street version has double wishbones on all four wheels and racing-specific shock absorbers and springs that can be adjusted in tension and compression together with adjustable stabilizers. A new disc brake system with adapted brake calipers, in combination with the standard anti-lock braking system, ensures high deceleration values. Special brake ventilation on the front and rear axles improve stability in racing. Audi Sport also uses the rack and pinion steering with hydraulic servo in the GT3 model. The 5-hole cast aluminum wheels are inexpensive and yet specially designed for racing purposes. Audi Sport also offers a tire pressure warning system as an option. With standards such as a fire extinguishing system, safety nets for the driver and crash foam in the doors, Audi Sport goes beyond the minimum requirements in many areas. The Audi Sport customer racing PS3 safety seat is the latest further development of the PS1 model. It is just as standard in the GT4 model as it is in the Audi customer sport models for GT3 and TCR racing. A roof hatch facilitates rescue after an accident. To reduce the stress on the spine, the helmet can be removed upwards and a rescue corset ( Kendrick Extrication Device ) put on through the opening . The steel safety cage is connected to the Audi Space Frame (ASF) at six points in the interior using an aluminum-CFRP composite construction, plus two connections to struts in the engine compartment. The FT3 safety tank is filled using a drip-free racing quick refueling system.

Audi R8 Cup

The Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup was announced for the first time in the 2018 season . Only the R8 LMS GT4 is eligible to compete in the new one-make cup. The plan on the part of the organizer Audi is to hold the one-make cup over three seasons. However, there is the option of an extension for two more seasons. The costs as a single driver on a car officially amount to € 150,000 (or € 85,000 per driver with a shared starting right) per season. The premiere season comprised six race weekends with two races each, all of which took place as part of the DTM supporting program. Champion was Kris Heidorn (D) with 156.5 points.

run

24-hour race on the Nürburgring 2017

No.	team	vehicle	tires	driver	driver	driver	driver	Overall placement (placement SP-X)
17th	Audi Sport Team Phoenix	Audi R8 LMS GT4	P	Joonas Lappalainen	Alexander Mies	Peter Terting	Alex Yoong	66 (5)
18th	Audi Sport Team Phoenix	Audi R8 LMS GT4	P	Christian Dept.	Rahel Frey	Patrick Huisman	Peter Terting	31 (3)

Dubai 24 hour race 2018

No.	team	vehicle	tires	driver	driver	driver	driver	driver	Overall placement (placement GT4)
247	Phoenix Racing	Audi R8 LMS GT4	H	Adderly Fong	Charles Kwan	Marchy Lee	Darryl O'Young	Shaun Thong	28 (2)
248	Phoenix Racing	Audi R8 LMS GT4	H	Philip Ellis	John-Louis Jasper	Joonas Lappalainen	Gosia Rdest		26 (1)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Sales start for Audi R8 LMS GT4. AUDI AG, October 17, 2017, accessed on October 17, 2017 . 
2. ↑ Basic information Audi R8 LMS GT4 (2017). AUDI AG, April 12, 2017, accessed on April 12, 2017 . 
3. ↑ Basic information Audi R8 LMS GT4 (2017). AUDI AG, April 12, 2017, accessed on April 12, 2017 . 
4. ↑ New series Audi R8 LMS Cup launch in company of DTM. In: Audi R8 Cup. May 17, 2018, accessed December 1, 2018 . 
5. ↑ Harald Gallinnis: Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup 2018. In: GT-Eins.at. Accessed December 1, 2018 . 
6. ↑ Harald Gallinnis: Review of the 1st season of the Seyffarth R8 Cup. In: GT-Eins.at. Accessed December 1, 2018 .