Could we still see R8 somewhere?

Erki · 2 May 2006, 16:14 (Ref:1599442)

Historics? I'm sure since the car is superb, someone would drive it somewhere. But where?

The Badger · 2 May 2006, 16:20 (Ref:1599450)

I know it is already racing in historics ..... but i think thats a bit much to be quite honest .

There was talk of Goh doing a race or two in the Alms awhile back , but thats gone quite ..... any info on that ?

Seoigh · 2 May 2006, 17:50 (Ref:1599508)

I forget the guy's name, but he frequently runs the R8 in Florida under auspices of the Historic Sportscar Racing Group (HSR). He ran (and damaged) it at a Homestead-Miami track day last weekend. I agree that it seems somehow improper to see last year's LeMans winner at a 'Historic' event, especially as Audi North America (Champion Motorsports) are still campaigning the R8 in ALMS events for at least part of this year.

Fogelhund · 2 May 2006, 18:11 (Ref:1599523)

We shall see the R8 in the American LeMans Series for the next three races (chassis 605). I believe, then their competition history will be over.

Jim Rogers own's the Audi R8 (Chassis 405) that competes in HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing).

TheNewBob · 2 May 2006, 18:14 (Ref:1599527)

It's shockingly early to see a still-competitive car in historics - it's not even been retired yet!

Would it be wrong for organisers to introduce a rule for cars to be eligable only if they've been out of action for, say, 3 or more years or so? Was going to say 5 years, although I'm not sure how old the cars get in whatever series this R8 is now racing in...

The Badger · 2 May 2006, 18:58 (Ref:1599559)

I would go for ten years or over ..... historics are supposed to be historic after all !!!

Fogelhund · 2 May 2006, 19:00 (Ref:1599560)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

It's shockingly early to see a still-competitive car in historics - it's not even been retired yet!

Would it be wrong for organisers to introduce a rule for cars to be eligable only if they've been out of action for, say, 3 or more years or so? Was going to say 5 years, although I'm not sure how old the cars get in whatever series this R8 is now racing in...

Well, there goes half of Historic Racing then. Noboby could possibly be racing Porsche 911's, as they still compete.

I believe that the 2000 spec Audi R8 chassis' have been parked for 3 or more years already anyway. Different organizations run to different rules. Their customers are the car owners, who in the end, by demand, dictate which rules sets are run. In the case of Historic Sportscars Racing (HSR), you can pretty much decide to run whatever you wish, current or not. There are plenty of other race organizers with stricter rules sets, if that is your cup of tea.

So, to answer your question, yes, it would be wrong of HSR to turn away paying customers, based upon their philosophy.

zac510 · 2 May 2006, 19:12 (Ref:1599574)

There could be one at Goodwood or similar 'Speed' events.
Last year's LeMans winner was there but it wasn't competing.

courageous · 2 May 2006, 20:50 (Ref:1599669)

Goh might run his in Japan if other top draw prototypes join in (doubtful this year, but maybe 2007).

Osella · 2 May 2006, 22:55 (Ref:1599746)

we may have seen the last of them soon, for now, but sportscars have a habit of throwing up anomalies... witness the Dauer in '94, the Kremer 917 or the L'Arbre Panoz. I bet we'll see them again, they're'll be some sort of global crisis precipitating the ACO to scratch around for a decent field..

Hopefully someone will get round to putting a roof on one

makes you think, tho', doesn't it? A race with most of the R8/Bentley/Gt Ones/etc.etc.. in existence would be a thing to behold

Naruto · 3 May 2006, 02:39 (Ref:1599804)

The R8 it racing at the next ALMS in Houston by Audi Sport North America.

http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/in...pper&Itemid=48

Erki · 3 May 2006, 06:58 (Ref:1599846)

I know, R8 runs 3 more races in ALMS and then it's Game Over. But maybe it's game start in some lower championship? Hillclimb?

Fogelhund · 3 May 2006, 10:21 (Ref:1599946)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erki

I know, R8 runs 3 more races in ALMS and then it's Game Over. But maybe it's game start in some lower championship? Hillclimb?

Highly doubt that.

b1ackcr0w · 3 May 2006, 11:00 (Ref:1599966)

I would doubt it also. Although there isn't really any such thing as a cheap sportscar, the R8 would seem to be at the far end of the scale of expense, even if Audi wanted to sell them, which in itself is debateable, buyers willing to pay that level would be few and far between.

Given that much of the design and technology on the R8 would still be classed as close to leading edge, even if somebody had the budget, Audi would be very choosy about what happens to them. I think that until everybody and his uncle catches up with the technology, the R8's will be mothballed safely away in Audi's basement.

I think this will go the same way as The Toyota GTOne, The Porsche 911GT1 et al, they are so expensive and state of the art that after their creators programmes are over, you won't see them again save for Goodwood wtc.

JAG · 3 May 2006, 15:10 (Ref:1600117)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

It's shockingly early to see a still-competitive car in historics - it's not even been retired yet!

Would it be wrong for organisers to introduce a rule for cars to be eligable only if they've been out of action for, say, 3 or more years or so? Was going to say 5 years, although I'm not sure how old the cars get in whatever series this R8 is now racing in...

In HSR you run virtually anything.

In the European GroupC/GTP series they have strict eligibility rules. Even the 3.5l Group C cars are banned.

TheNewBob · 4 May 2006, 07:05 (Ref:1600462)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Well, there goes half of Historic Racing then. Noboby could possibly be racing Porsche 911's, as they still compete.

I believe that the 2000 spec Audi R8 chassis' have been parked for 3 or more years already anyway. Different organizations run to different rules. Their customers are the car owners, who in the end, by demand, dictate which rules sets are run. In the case of Historic Sportscars Racing (HSR), you can pretty much decide to run whatever you wish, current or not. There are plenty of other race organizers with stricter rules sets, if that is your cup of tea.

So, to answer your question, yes, it would be wrong of HSR to turn away paying customers, based upon their philosophy.

That's a pretty fair answer actually - I had been thinking along the lines of if it actually counts as a "historic" if it's still active. Then again, like you say, an '00 spec R8 sat doing nothing for 3 years is hardly considered as competitive...