Audi R8C

• Engine                              3.6litre V8 Turbo Charged Engine
• Engine Displacement    3596cc
• Power                              640bhp@6300rpm
• Torque                             567 lb-ft@5750rpm
• Gear Box                         Sequential 6 Speed Sports Gear Box
• Tank Capacity                90 litres

The 1999 Audi R8C car revealed a new chapter in Audi's lengthy Nd successful history of motorsport . The R8C had a carbon fibre monocoque , and the entire body was likewise of lightweight but very strong Kevlar . Audi engaged the Italian specialist fondmetal as its technology partner for the aerodynamics , which are vitally important in le mans . The chassis of the R8C was developed in conjunction with Audi's British subsidiary RTN (racing technology norfolk) based at hingham near Norwich . 

The Audi R8C made its first and only race appearance at le mans in 1999 . Unveiled only three weeks before qualifying , designed by Tony Southgate , it is surely one of the most beautiful racing car ever seen at le mans . It featured a carbon fibre body , a 3600cc turbo powered engine , and a 6-speed sequential gear box . 

The R8C use the 600hp (450kw) 3.6 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine , but are radically different aerodynamically . Most of the intakes and air exits on the R8C are placed on the sides . The R8C also has thinner wheel arches , partially due to LMGTP rules , at that time , that stipulate the LMGTP cars us thinner tyres than the LMP cars in order to off-set the better aerodynamic efficiency,  and thus higher top speeds , of the LMGTP  cars . Additionally,  using a styling feature borrowed from the Toyota GT-one , the inside of the front wheel arches of the R8C are open , so that air does not build up in the wheel wells , andto benefit brake cooling . Like nost , if not all other LMGTP's of the time , the cockpit is long , gradually sloping to maximize aerodynamic efficiency . Unequally though , the minimum roof height was achieved with the use of raised humps above the drivers position  , so that there is a trough down the centre  of the roof to allow for more air to reach the rear wing  . The rear of the car features a boxy , blunt tail that was developed from the improved R8R , however,  it is longer in order to better maximize the R8C's aerodynamics . 

In June 1999 , audi scored impressive results on the German manufacturers debut at le mans . The two Audi R8R's finished third and fourth . Audi's chief executive , Dr Franz- Josef paefgen , remarked : " this result is better than we expected and we will be back next year " . Seldom before had there been a le mans 24 hour race . So strong in manufacturer support and constantly exciting.  Only half of the 46 cars which started reached the finishing line after almost 5000km and watched by a crowd in excess of 200,000 . Audi's head of sport , Dr Wolfgang Ulrich , was delighted the "open" Audi R8R's haf stood up to the challenge . He said: " for a le mans newcomer this is a very good result " . 

Confirming Audi's impressive maiden le mans performance was the similar R8R of Michelle alboreto / Rinaldo Capello/ Laurent Aiello in fourth place . The Audi R8C's did not finish the race due to transmission problems . But the sleek silver machines , were still able to show their potential with some fast race laps . Gearbox problems restricted both cars to a small number of laps in official qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday evening . The R8C of Andy Wallace , James weaver and Perry McCarthy lined-up in 20th on Saturday afternoon with the similar Audi of Stefan Johansson , stephane ortelli and Christian abt  in 23rd . But in the race , the Wallace / weaver / McCarthy  car soon encountered gearbox problems necessitating the first three gearbox changes restricting their progress to a highest wend position before at retired With eight hours remaining  . The " sister " R8C managed 19th  place before a gearbox fault side-lined the car out on the 13km track after four hours .