30 years of Audi Sport 30 years of quattro
Alexander von Wegner
30 years of Audi Sport 30 years of quattro
Alexander von Wegner
Imprint Publisher Audi AG Communications Motorsport D-85045 Ingolstadt Production Speedpool Multimedia-Service GmbH Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 99 D-20359 Hamburg T: +49 40 300682-0 F: +49 40 300682-22 E-mail: info@speedpool.com www.speedpool.com Author Alexander von Wegner Photographs Audi AG, Friedemann Bock, Fiat, Gaukler Studios, Burkhard Kasan, Bodo und Ferdi Kräling, Michael Kunkel, Regis Lefebure, Klaus Nagel, Pikes Peak Hill Climb Association, Privat, Hans-Peter Seufert, Robin Thompson, Thomas Urner, Volkswagen AG Graphics Audi AG, Bruno Betti, BTZ Grafik, Technical Art Layout Niels Bredahl, Jana Herbst, Clemens Kügler, Thomas Wildelau Co-ordination Carina Chowanek Pre-press Julien Gradtke, Theresa Salzmann, Sven Simon Editorial Thomas Voigt Statistics Lars Krone, Volker Paulun, Thomas Rottluff, Susanne Scheller Final editing Iris Wedekind Translation WordCom Ed Turner T: +49 176 80006420 E-mail: info@wordcom.de Sales & Marketing Patrick Ziegler Print Hansmann Verlag Sponholtz Druck GmbH Heinrich-Hertz-Straße 21 D-30966 Hemmingen T: +49 511 473206-22 F: +49 511 473206-29 Printed in Germany ISBN 978-3-940672-23-0
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Imprint
Contents Introduction/Foreword
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Rupert Stadler/Dr Wolfgang Ullrich Picture postcards
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Impressions History
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100 years of motorsport Audi Sport
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Three decades of motorsport Time line
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Stream of time Group 4 and Group B
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Revolution on all fours Pikes Peak
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On cloud nine Group A
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Who says B must also say A Trans-Am
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Unlimited opportunities IMSA GTO
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Tension down to the wire DTM
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A limousine cleans up big time Super touring cars
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Global triumph R8
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The loneliness of a long distance runner DTM
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From returnee to winning machine LMP1 TDI
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Whispering to victory R8 LMS
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Brave new world Drivers
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How time flies Results
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Statistics 1981–2009 Gallery
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Freeze frame
Contents
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Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG
Introduction Dear readers, Audi has inspired motorsport fans all around the world for 30 years with its fascinating race cars, thrilling motorsport and, quite obviously, race victory after race victory. Be it the Monte Carlo Rally, at Le Mans or at the Nürburgring: Audi has faced the greatest challenges on the race track and rally stage alike for three decades. In this case “Vorsprung durch Technik” is more than just a claim: It is a measure which is not solely reserved for our high-volume production cars. Audi is also constantly faced with the task of proving it has an advantage through technology. Whether it be with the four-wheel drive quattro in rallying, fuel injection TFSI or state-of-the-art TDI diesel technology in sportscars. Motorsport has embodied the core values of the Audi brand for 30 years and has played its part in the company’s success. To ensure that this remains the case in the future, we continue to set ourselves new goals. In the last instance these objectives always serve to develop and to command new technologies and to prove their dominance in competition. In this case the purpose is always to allow the customer to share this technology in everyday life. Accompany us on a travel through time with this book and submerge yourselves in three decades of motorsport. Witness how Audi continues to grow its advantage through technology with sporting passion and healthy competitive spirit. Enjoy the read
Rupert Stadler
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Introduction
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport
Foreword Dear motorsport fans, Audi Sport has been writing history in the world of motorsport for 30 years. Only a team of highly motivated individuals makes this possible. During the previous 16 years of my time as person responsible for motorsport I have got to know and respect Audi Sport as a growing team with a solid and stable long-standing squad of personnel. Every employee is passionate about motorsport and gives their all to achieve success. Something amazing was frequently confirmed: The more difficult the situation is the stronger the team appears to be. When I took up my current post at Audi in November 1993 an extremely successful era started for the brand in super touring car racing with the A4. The products emerging from Ingolstadt were the ones which set the competitive benchmarks. We lived through a very combative time with our competitor from Munich, but we were nevertheless always on excellent personal terms. After quattro was banned from circuit racing by the FIA the way to Le Mans, where we met many new opponents, opened up. The sportscars and technologies defined by Audi again rapidly set the new benchmarks there. On top of this: They established a new age. In parallel to this Audi has also been involved in the DTM since 2004. The hattrick in 2009 was particularly special. Over the years the Executive Board’s confidence in the activities of Audi Sport has grown in such a way that we also receive the best possible support in difficult situations – or if the expected success is absent. To sense this backing is very important to us all and it motivates to exceptional levels – today and in the future. Motorsport is and always was a medium for Audi to accelerate promising technologies. For this reason we must always ensure that the technologies developed for the sport are relevant for our customers. For this reason in particular a factorybacked motorsport programme gains plausibility. Enjoy the book
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich
Foreword
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Aluminium and aerodynamics – fascination then like today
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Picture postcards
Carved in stone – the quattro era
Picture postcards
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Heavenly career – Frank Biela and Audi
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Picture postcards
Sunshine – the eternally youthful Audi R8
Picture postcards
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Winners – Allan McNish, Ralf Jüttner, Dindo Capello, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Tom Kristensen
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Picture postcards
Sound and smoke – sensory overload in the DTM
Picture postcards
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It’s all about perspective – diesel is top thanks to Audi
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Picture postcards
Ignited – the R8 LMS accelerates customers’ careers
Picture postcards
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