Audi Sport customer racing has been contesting a global program with its customers since 2020. Between January and December, a total of more than 700 individual races in national and international racing series are on the calendar. With the first full season for the Audi R8 LMS GT2, this puts four models in customers’ hands on the grid. Twelve drivers from Audi Sport are contesting sprint and endurances races for customers around the world. In 2020, Audi Sport customer racing supports commitments on five continents, in the Intercontinental GT Challenge as the only worldwide GT3 racing series, and in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring stand-alone event.

The signs continue pointing to growth: now featuring four models for the first time, customers can choose from a highly diversified model range, extending from the Audi RS 3 LMS entry-level touring car to the top-end Audi R8 LMS GT2 with 470 kW (640 hp). As a result, customers enjoy a wide range of fielding opportunities: more than 30 racing series or famous stand-alone events admit the cost-efficient TCR race cars while new TCR race series continue to emerge. In the GT4 arena, the Audi R8 LMS has become a fixture after just two years, thrilling fans and drivers in up to 25 series worldwide. Following a facelift, the Audi R8 LMS GT4 is presenting itself in an even more customer-friendly way for the 2020 season. The new Audi R8 LMS GT2 is allowed to race in series run by promoter SRO in North America, Europe and Asia, and additionally participate in Track Days and club racing events all over the world. Last but not least, the evolution of the Audi R8 LMS GT3 in its 2019 debut season won endurance races in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Germany and Japan, plus having scored stand-alone and championship victories around the globe. Some 30 series worldwide are exclusively open to GT3 models or include classifications for this fascinating sports car category. Furthermore, GT3 models are battling for prestigious stand-alone victories in some of the major endurance racing classics such as the 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa.

“In 2019, we presented the GT2 version and the new GT4 evolution of the Audi R8 LMS while our new GT3 model experienced its debut season. That makes us the provider of the youngest model range,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “Our products and our worldwide sales and supporting concept have been a compelling choice for a growing number of teams and enthusiasts who contribute to the continuous of our brand’s sporty profile with their successes.” In manufacturing, sales and supporting services, Audi Sport within the Group achieves synergy effects in diverse areas. For instance, the 5.2-liter V10 engine used in all three versions of the Audi R8 LMS is produced on the regular assembly line at the Győr plant in Hungary. Likewise, Audi uses the manufacturing facilities of the road-approved model at Böllinger Höfe to build the chassis of the race cars there as well. A share of some 50 percent of carry-over parts (GT3) or even 60 percent (GT4) emphasizes the close kinship of the customer race cars to the production models.

A worldwide network with branches in China, Japan, Australia, in the United States and in Canada, plus the headquarters of Audi Sport customer racing in Neuburg an der Donau for the European markets, makes it possible to provide customers around the world with comprehensive support and continuous spare parts supply. Moreover, customer racing consultants are on hand trackside at local racing events in key markets and provide direct advice to teams and drivers.

The success across all model ranges validates the executives’ course of action: 563 race cars produced in Audi Sport customer racing’s first decade, 93 overall driver title wins since 2009 and 132 further victories in additional championship classifications make Audi Sport a leading provider in a fierce competitive environment of ten brands and more.