Audi, whose motorsports division has been a dominant presence in sports car racing for a decade, is set to put yet another feather in its racing cap. The German automaker has announced plans to offer a race-tuned GT3 version of its R8 sports car for customer purchase, and set to appear in action by next year.

Developed under the code name “R16” within Audi’s Sport division, the new R8 will offer more than 500 horsepower and conform to all production-based GT3 regulations. To meet those standards for numerous racing events across the globe, the Audi team has had to do away with the Quattro system (GT3 regs prohibit four-wheel drive) and replace it with a more conventional rear-drive layout. Power is managed through a six-speed sequential gearbox, and the R8 has been further modified for competition with a far more aggressive aerodynamic package and multiple upgraded safety components.

Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, says that creating the R8 GT3 car was in part the result of massive demand on the part of the company’s customer base. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version,” said Ullrich. “With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

While no images of the upcoming R8 were released, the car may be not unlike the version pictured above, a privateer entry in the 2008 Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race. Read the full Audi press release below.

Audi develops race version of the R8

•    Customer sport programme with the mid-engine sportscar
•    First races planned for 2009 season
•    Factory driver Frank Biela completes roll-out

Ingolstadt – For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ.
 
"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," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 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 Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.
 
Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.
 
The Audi R8, which bears the project name "R16" within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.
 
The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers is planned from the autumn of this coming year.
 
The customer cars are manufactured together by Audi Sport and the quattro GmbH, which is also responsible for production of the Audi R8 street version, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. (Györ).