Own a Piece of Le Mans History — Audi R8 LMP

The Audi R8 has become known as Audi's flagship road-going supercar, but years before it was even conceived, R8 stood for one of the most successful cars to ever grace endurance racing, and Supercar Driver partners Fiskens are offering the exceptionally rare opportunity to own this piece of Le Mans history and experience what it is like to race for yourself.

This Le Mans veteran Audi R8 LMP 900 was constructed for the works team in 2001. Its race history includes a debut victory with the legendary Tom Kristensen, the winningest driver in Le Mans history, and a strong 7th place finish at the 2002 Le Mans in the hands of Japanese privateers Audi Sport Team Goh.

One of the most perfect and dominating competition designs ever, the legendary Audi R8 launched the Audi era in endurance racing, charging to five Le Mans victories from 2000-2005, and securing multiple series championships for the works and privateers alike in the European Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series, and American Le Mans Series.

In the R8, Audi works drivers Tom Kristensen, Frank Biela, and Emanuele Pirro famously became the first crew to earn three consecutive Le Mans victories, with their hat trick win for the works in 2002. ‘Mr Le Mans’ himself, with his nine career victories at la Sarthe, Kristensen had been recruited to Audi at the end of 1999 by head of motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ulrich, bringing along R8 drawings to the life-changing meeting.

Designed with chassis by Wolfgang Appel, aero by Michael Pfadenhauer, 3.6L twin-turbo V8 developed by Ulrich Baretzky, and a Ricardo six-speed gearbox, The R8 LMPs were built under contract by Dallara. With Appel reputedly starting work the morning after the predecessor R8R and R8C returned from Le Mans 1999, the R8 featured outstandingly modular ‘repairability’ including the possibility to swap the complete rear end (gearbox suspension and ancillaries) in under five minutes — a practice later banned.

Chassis 501 was constructed for the works team in 2001, and was victorious on her racing debut for Audi Sport Team Joest at Spain’s Jarama circuit in the European Le Mans Series. She was piloted by Tom Kristensen and teammate Rinaldo (Dindo) Capello, who joined Audi with racing experience in Italian touring cars. Over eight years, Capello proved his mettle alongside his Danish teammate, described by Kristensen as becoming “just as much a hero” with a deep desire to win.

With the works fielding a new team of R8s for 2002, chassis 501 was purchased by Japanese privateers Audi Sport Team Goh, part of the team’s ultimately triumphant three-year program for Le Mans and other endurance events.

At the 2002 Le Mans 24 Hours, chassis 501 made an auspicious beginning for Team Goh, placing 7th overall and 6th in the LMP class, with drivers Hiroki Katou, Frenchman Yannick Dalmas (a four-time Le Mans winner) and Seiji Ara. After a 4th at Le Mans for Team Goh in 2003, Seiji Ara was to share in the Japanese team’s eventual triumph at the 2004 Le Mans, with a victory alongside Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen.

Other appearances with Audi Sport Team Goh for R8 501 included the 2002 Le Mans test (Essais des 24 Heures du Mans) where she secured a creditable 11th, and she also made fastest lap at the Suzuka 1,000km race in 2002, unfortunately then retiring.

After her frontline career, she was acquired in 2008 by New York racer and collector Aaron Hsu (living with R8 chassis 403 and the 2001 Bentley Speed 8 LMP roadster 002-3), competing in select American events. In 2010 she was passed (with the Bentley) to renowned Shelby American collector and restorer George Stauffer (owner of the 1966 Le Mans-winning GT40), who again competed in Road America events. Offered via a major public auction in 2011, lately, she has been held in a private collection.

This R8 is offered by Fiskens, having been recently run up by UK experts Progressive Motorsport Ltd, whose founders (Dave Ward & Howden Haynes) have years of experience with the R8 and other racing programs including most directly with Audi Sport Team Joest, Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx, and Team Bentley for the Speed 8 Le Mans program.

As an example of one of the most perfect and winning racing designs in history, this R8 LMP 900 would be a welcome addition to any outstanding collection. Suitably prepared for a fortunate new owner, she could be a top contender for historic racing events such as Peter Auto’s popular and very enjoyable Endurance Racing Legends series, Le Mans Classic and The Silverstone Festival.

For more information, view the full gallery of current and period photos here, and your direct points of contact at Fiskens are listed below.

Christoff Cowens — Partner

+447772188037 | christoff@fiskens.com

Oliver — Sales Assistant

+447802415125 | oliver@fiskens.com