Audi to supply new R8 to customers

The German manufacturer has constructed the 500bhp, rear-wheel drive car to the current production-based GT3 regulations, making the car eligible for numerous series around the world.

Audi say it will not be a works project, but that partner teams will help to develop and then race the car. It is rumoured that Abt, who took Audi into the DTM, will lead the programme.

"The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme," said Audi's head of motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

"Ever since the R8 was unveiled we've been inundated with enquiries about a race version. We will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

The first races for the car are planned for the 2009 season with delivery to the customer teams expected in the Autumn of next year.

Ullrich admitted that a GT1 version of the car was unlikely, but did not rule out developing a GT2 model in the future.