From the SCCA Pro Racing Forums....

I have received this message from Rod Bymaster, Manager, Audi Sport North America:

"After winning the Manufacturer and Driver Championships in 2003 and the Manufacturer Championship in the 2004 Speed World Challenge GT Series with our Audi RS 6 race cars, 2005 is a year for us to look to the future. The RS 6 was a limited edition car in North America and no longer sold here. We are therefore in the process of evaluating a new entry for the Speed World Challenge Series based on an upcoming production car."

We will likely hear more about Audi's future World Challenge plans as we get into the 2005 season.

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Eric Prill
SCCA/SCCA Pro Racing


Too bad!
Rick

You got yourself a hotel for Sebring yet?

I REALLLY hope I get into one of them, otherwise it's flea motel for me and Dad...

Man, the Touring Car series is going to be stacked this year! ;)

Rick

for about 24 hours, Galatti was supposed to drive Matt Plumb's car (he stayed home to have a baby) at Laguna Seca last year. Audi made him pull the plug since he was competing for the championship in the RS6. So, obviously there is a close tie there. Have to wait and see I guess. There are 5 Realtime cars listed on the Touring car numbers page, all with TBD as the driver. Should know soon.

From a fan perspective, it would be cool to see him in a Touring Car. From my perspective, it's just one more position I'll have to fight for! ;)

Rick

<ul><li><a href="http://forums.audiworld.com/racing/msgs/36102.phtml">http://forums.audiworld.com/racing/msgs/36102.phtml</a</li></ul>

Champion found their reward weight and the new regs would make the RS6 not nearly as competitive.

Without Audi money or a competitive car, it was DOA.

Pobst is running the Mazda, as well as a Cup Car in Rolex and has been offered an LMP ride for a team I cannot name.

Randy and Michael are still under Audi contract and are on "loan". Audi's plan is to come back to WC with the RS4 (in street trim it will be 425HP NA V8 with Direct Injection/FSI) in 2006 with the same drivers.

Basically, the money wasn't there and the SCCA wouldn't make the rule suitable enough to Audi's liking.

The "the model is out of production" thing is an Audi corporate excuse. The proof of the pudding is visible in a few ways Audi ran the S4 last year in an emergency situation, the C5 based Z06's and normal vettes will still be running, as well as 996 based 911's.

Mike S