Discovering the car that started it all…

Remember that 15 years ago, Audi's reputation was not the one of excellence that everyone recognizes today. At the time, the success of the Quattro in rallying already belonged to the past, and the presence of the A4 touring car was not enough to revive the fading memory of the glorious Silver Arrows.

This is just one of them, the Auto Union Type C 1936, which was used to give a historic context in the launch of the new R8R in December 1998. Odd as it may seem, it came as total surprise to the journalists present at the Velodrome Berlin: all previously unaware of the existence of the prototype which had been under consideration since the autumn of 1997 and had several circuit tests from August 98.

As complete as it appeared to be, the launch model had dummy headlights and was relatively distant from the form it would take four months later in its first competitive outing. - Headlights similar to the TT were quickly removed to be replaced by more functional bulbs because, as explained in the famous Dr. Ullrich : "The public should immediately know that is an Audi but to win Le Mans, we must make no compromises."

 

In 1998, the activities of Audi Sport were limited to touring cars. Photo Audi Motorsport.	The first R8R next to an Auto Union Type C from 1936. Photo Audi Motorsport.

A few weeks later, at Paul Ricard, the Audi R8R appeared for the first time in its almost final form. In the spring, it finished third at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a feat repeated in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans ... The legend was born!

At year-end, the technical team used what they had learned to produce the new R8 prototype, which went on to 63 wins (including five at Le Mans) in 80 races - the last one was the 1st of July 2006 at Lime Rock (ALMS ) in the hands of Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello! At this time, a new era had already begun by the victory a month earlier of an Audi R10 diesel.. but that is another story ...

First time at Le Mans in June 1999 : 3rd behind BMW and Toyota. Photo Audi Motorsport.	Twelve months later the new version finished 1-2-3! Photo Audi Motorsport.

Julien HERGAULT

Photo : VELODROME  BERLIN (GERMANY), LAUNCH OF THE AUDI R8R. DEC 1998.