For the first time in its history, Audi is offering customers the chance to buy a racing sports car in the form of the GT3 version of the R8 coupe. "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 program,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version.” Available for order from autumn 2009, the R8 GT3 will be able to participate in numerous national and international race series.

Given that the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive, Audi’s race-spec sportscar comes with a rear-wheel-drive powertrain. The German automaker hasn’t given out all the details yet, but it did say that the mid-engined R8 GT3 will deliver more than 500 HP from the modified V8 engine. Power will be transmitted to the rear wheels via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox while the suspension will use almost exclusively components from the production model. -Continued

As you can see in the pictures, Audi has developed a full aerodynamic bodykit for the R8 GT3 that includes a modified front end and a large rear-wing to generate the required downforce. The R8 GT3 will also feature the necessary safety equipment to guarantee the well being of the driver in the case of an accident. The first test races of the race-prepped R8 in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season.