I have heard on good authority that Audi will run Daytona 24hrs and Sebring with the new R8 prototype. They were supposedly testing last week and did a 1.44.0 at Daytona. The pole time this year by a Ferrari 333sp was 1.39 and change, HOWEVER, in 1999 all prototypes will use restrictors so I doubt the Ferrari will do a 1.39 with a restricted motor. The car (Audi ) is being run by Joest Racing from Germany, the long time privateer Porsche campaigners.

Martin, I hope it is true but I'm a little doubtful. I believe the revised '99 CanAm rules have a 3.7 liter cap on turbo engines. I think the R8 is 4.0 liters. My understanding is that the "cap" is under review so Joest may have decided to come test .. but that would be a VERY expensive undertaking w/o assurance the R8 could compete.<p>I haven't been close to this effort at all so I (along with this entire forum probably) will hope that what you heard is right. I know Alex Job Porsche has been renting and doing some testing along with the Champion Porsche team the past few weeks and heard that "some other CanAm cars were there".<p>Just another thought ... if they did test and did the time you mentioned .. that is GREAT! It's been unseasonably warm in the Daytona area. Cooler temps with heavier air in January will have them smokin'!<p>Let's hope. I'll see what I can find out. Thanks.

Phil, I heard again today that the R8 engine is a 3.5 twin turbo? But I am not sure. You are right, the latest USRRC rules mimic the ISRS rules of 1998 which are 3.6 turbo maximum size. The Professional sports car rules are supposed to be the Le mans rules of 1999, which allow 4.0 l turbo motors. (This would be Sebring rules). I will know more when I go to the Daytona test in early Jan. I actually work on a 333 Ferrari, so am more interested in the R8 from a competitive point of view, although I am a soon to be Audi owner.

Martin, thanks for the info. I just got a note from Mitch Wright at SCCA Pro this morning. He says Audi R8 is 3.6L V8 and legal to run. He did say they're still working on turbo displacement rules with the ISRS and they both were committed to having a common set of rules. Mitch didn't confirm or deny if the Audi did test .. now guessing you were right all along!<p>Which team are you with .. if you don't mind me asking? Anxious to see the entry list for sure.<p>Congrats on getting an Audi .. I have a 98 30Vqm. Dead stock but I love it! I'll be working with Champion's team down at Moroso for the Longest Day race at New Years. Mike Peters and Ivor are joinging forces and running an A4q. Still working on the driver line up but it should be great fun. I haven't done a 24 hour race in a while!<p>Good luck this season and let us know what you see at testing!

Phil, I work for Doran Enterprises, who ran the MOMO Ferrari for the last 5 years. This year it looks as we will run two cars, One for Lista, One for Jim Matthews. Driver lineup for the 24hr for the lista car is Fredy Lienhard, Didier Theys, Mauro Baldi and Ari Luyendyk. Driver lineup for Jim's car is as of yet undecided. I am not an A4 owner yet - have one on order that is supposed to arrive before Xmas - 1.8T QMS... Have fun at Moroso

Cool. I was wondering if you had anything to do with Matthew's effort (I'm also from Charlotte). I'm hoping that Kendall will be in Jim's car (if he'll fit!). <p>Good luck at the 24. I'm sure I'll be there in some support race capacity. Also, congrats on the great Xmas present! You'll love it!