MTM Audi A1 quattro Group B‏

MTM Press Release

In the era when phenomenal performance of the Ur-quattro sent the BHP-focussed establishment running for the hills, MTM in Wettstetten had not yet been born. However its founder, Roland Mayer, then 25 years old, was already working as an engineer at Audi. He is a power and performance junkie, who likes to prove the effectiveness and reliability of his developments by striving for new records - usually beginning with the number 3. The MTM S4 Cabrio will achieve 311 km/h, the RS6 Clubsport tops out at 362 km/m and even the A8 4.2l diesel can be persuaded to 300km/h without the slightest protest.

The recent MTM A1 Nardo Edition project appears to stand out as puny "David" amongst the ranks of the "Goliaths" from Wettstetten. However on the long, banked oval of the Nardo test facility this most compact of Audis reached 324 km/h or 201 mph. This was not just another record in the annals of the company, but also the seed of an idea for another more ambitious project that has now come to fruition: an S1 modified according to Group B regulations with a styling package by designer Roland Hall from South Carolina. Currently the heavily modified engine boasts an impressive 427 PS but Roland Mayer talks about 450 PS from the final version. "I could manufacture a small production batch if I could find ten enthusiasts who were prepared to pay around €120,000", says the boss, "and there would be full certification for road use as an added incentive". For those for whom this might not be enough and who want an even bigger slice of fun, it might be possible to offer a race-derived sequential gearbox or the 2.5 litre engine as in the A1 Nardo Edition - at extra cost of course. "As ever, this would be new milestone for the MTM marque, rather like dotting the i, in the 25 years of our illustrious history", smiles Roland Mayer, Chief Executive of MTM, in front of the Audi factory gates.

Photo credit: MTM

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Interview with Robin Larsson - Audi driver in FIA World Rallycross Championship

By Tarek Ramchani

Robin Larsson won the demanding FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX) in 2014 driving an Audi A1 Supercar. For this year's competition, the Swedish driver is making the move to the upper series, entering the highly competitive FIA World Rallycross Championship.

We were pleased to have an interview with Robin Larsson. An interesting Q/A about his 2015 season in FIA World Rallycross Championship with his own team and more.

You can follow Robin Larsson news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In 2014 you clinched the demanding FIA European Rallycross Championship title with your Audi A1, tell us more about that.

Last year was a good season, we had our ups and downs. But still a good season taking the title with the new car especially with the move for me from Touring Car to Supercar.

How challenging is to move from Euro RX to World RX?

The move from Euro RX to World RX is going to be hard, 13 races, race against the best all the time. Competing in World RX is also a lot more expensive compared to the European championship. But again racing against the best is going be really funny and good for my carreer.

Larsson Jernberg Racing is a fully privateer effort, how great is to be competitive against factory backed entries?

Racing with my own small team against all these big teams, that what keeps me motivated. Being an outsider I think is good, in our team we do everything together outside the track and everything. But what is more important, that we're having fun together.

Your Audi A1 Supercar has a name this year, "Diana", tell us more about that.

The name Diana is nothing special actually, it's just a name that came to our mind.

What do you think about the 2015 field in the FIA World Rallycross Championship?

The field this year is almost the same, but I think everybody learned a lot from last year. S this year I think it's going to be even tougher compared to the 2014 season. Claim that first position is going to be really hard.

What are your targets this year in FIA World Rallycross Championship?

This year I am definitely aiming to take my first win in a World Championship round. I am also aiming to be consistent and fast at the same time. I want to claim the most points possible so I can be in the top as long as I can.

How popular rallycross racing is in your home country of Sweden?

Rallycross in Sweden is kind a popular, but it's not that big, I think it is going to be more popular now as a true World Championship. It's got more and more time in social media and stuff.

What is your favourite race track?

Holjes is my absolutely number one race track.

Photo credit: World RX / Larsson Jernberg Racing

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French Rallycross: Racing Team Jagu preparing Audi A1 for 2015 season

By Tarek Ramchani

Racing Team Jagu is busy preparing for their 2015 rallycross campaign. The team will once again enter the demanding FFSA French Rallycross series with an Audi car.

In 2014 Racing Team Jagu fielded an Audi A1 racer with Yvonnick Jagu behind the wheel in the Super 1600 class. For this year's competition Yvonnick Jagu is eager to perform well and fight for the title.

More about Racing Team Jagu at their official website here.

The 2015 French Rallycross will kick off at Circuit Des Ducs Essay, May 2nd - 3rd.

Photo credit: Racing Team Jagu

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World RX: "Diana" is ready, Robin Larsson's Audi A1 Supercar livery revealed

By Tarek Ramchani

Robin Larsson recently confirmed his plans for the 2015 season. The 2014 FIA European Rallycross Championship (Euro RX) is switching to FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX).

The Swedesh driver will be back with the Larsson Jernberg Racing built Audi A1. The Audi Supercar rallycross challenger has a name this year, "Diana". The car's livery has been revealed today, Diana looks gorgeous.

Robin Larsson will be one of five Audi drivers this year in FIA World Rallycross Championship.

Photo credit:  Larsson Racing

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World RX: Robin Larsson moves to FIA World Rallycross with Audi A1 Supercar

By Tarek Ramchani

Exciting news coming from Sweden. Robin Larsson the 2014 FIA European Rallycross (Euro RX) champion will compete in the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2015.

Robin Larsson will be behind the wheel of the fully privateer Audi A1 Supercar from Larsson Jernberg Racing. The Swedish rallycross ace will compete in all 13 events of the 2015 season.

The Audi driver is delighted to join the World RX:

“Being in my own team against the other big teams is what keeps me motivated – I know it’s going to be tough with 13 races but I’ve been working very hard to find new sponsors and now everything is looking good for Portugal,” explained Larsson, who challenged several of last year’s front-runners and secured podium finishes at the German and British RX rounds. “We don’t have as much budget as some of the bigger teams but I hope we can show our speed in the first race. We’re going to do some more testing before then and I can’t wait to jump in the car again to try it out.” (quotes taken from FIA World Rallycross website)

With Robin Larsson announcement, the Audi squad moves to five cars. Three independent teams will represent the Ingolstadt brand in 2015 World RX. Larsson Jernberg Racing will be joined by EKS with two Audi S1 EKS RX cars and ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport with two Audi S3 RX cars

Photo credit:  World RX / Robin Larsson

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PHOTOS: Best of Larsson Jemberg Racing Audi A1 in 2014 Scandinavian Rallycross

A selection of great photos featuring the Larsson Jemberg Racing Audi team in the 2014 Scandinavian Rallycross known as Rally X. 

Robin Larsson was behind the wheel of a brand new Audi A1 finished second in the overall driver's championship standing showing strong performances.

Photo credit: Swedish Rally X

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Rallycross: The 2015 French Rallycross Championship calendar is out

By Tarek Ramchani

The FFSA (Fédération Française du Sport Automobile) has unveiled the 2015 calendar of the French Rallycross Championship. The series will have 10 events across France.

In 2014 Racing Team Jagu fielded an Audi A1 racer with Yvonnick Jagu behind the wheel in the Super 1600 class. Nothing official yet but it is expected to see the Audi rallycross racer back next year.

More about Racing Team Jagu can be found at their official website here.

2015 French Rallycross Championship calendar:

May 2/3: Essay-Ducs
May 16/17: Lessay-Manche
May30/31: Châteauroux Saint Maur
June 13/14: Faleyras-Gironde
June27/28: Sarthe Lavaré
July11/12: Pont de Ruan
July25/26: Kerlabo
September 19/20: Mayenne
September 26/27: Essay-Normandie
October10/11: Dreux

Photo credit: Rallycross France

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Scandinavian Rallycross: Second place for Robin Larsson's Audi A1 at Knutstorp

By Johan Laubscher

The Swedish Rallycross Championship, Swedish RallyX series, got underway at Knutstorp this weekend. It was the debut event for the new Larsson Jernberg Racing Audi A1. 

The new Swedish built Audi A1 was driven by Robin Larsson. He was very competitive this weekend and progressed all the way to the final heat in which he finished second in the Supercar category.

Photo credit: ERC24.com

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Rallycross: Audi A1 Supercar rallycross car for Robin Larsson

By Johan Laubscher

Robin Larsson will be behind the wheel of a new Audi A1 Supercar rallycross category vehicle this year. The new Larsson Jernberg Racing team will be entering the car in various Rallycross events.

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Audi endurance experience: The online game

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi France has been organizing the Audi race experience for the previous two years. An all-Audi A1 1.4 TFSI field with 5 meetings annually on the most prestigious French circuits.

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Video: Audi A1 Rallycross from Racing Team Jagu

By Johan Laubscher

Racing Team Jagu is a French Rallycross team who have been competing with Audis for many years. The team has developed an Audi A1 rallycross car for the 2013 French Rallycross Championship.

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Audi A1 ready for French Rallycross

By Johan Laubscher

Racing Team Jagu is a French rallycross team who have been loyal to Audi for many years. The team competed in the French Rallycross Championship with a first generation Audi A3 until 2011. They sold their A3 to another competitor during 2012 as they were preparing a new machine for 2013.

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Awesome A1 quattro video starring DTM Champion Timo Scheider

By Johan Laubscher

The new Audi Gebrauchtwagen Zentrum Müchen will be the largest Audi used-car dealership in Germany, set to open during the summer of 2013. This week Timo Scheider, Audi factory race driver and two-time DTM Champion, starred in a new promotional video.

The video was released on Facebook and also promoted by the Official Audi Sport Facebook page. It features Timo, armed with a limited edition Audi A1 quattro, blasting through the dealership construction site. Beautiful visuals coupled with an exciting soundtrack makes for a must watch video.

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Artwork: Audi A1 quattro WRC

By Tarek Ramchani

The Audi brand made history in the FIA World Rally Championship during the 1980s. The various versions of the legendary quattro won multiple championships and events in the hands of champions like Walter Röhrl, Stig Blomqvist, Hannu Mikkola and Michèle Mouton. To this day Quattro still symbolizes the golden Group B years. Audi is out from the sport, but a lot of fans still dream about a comeback to rallying. Here is an outstanding artwork concept of the Audi A1 hatchback rally racer version with old style Audi Sport livery. Maybe it will never happen, but still it is a great tribute to an epic era.

Artwork by dangeruss at deviantArt

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  Artwork, Audi A1, Audi Rally    

Audi France brings back "Audi endurance experience"

By Tarek Ramchani

Last year Audi France started a unique and very interesting single make series, the "Audi endurance experience". Open for Audi customers and featuring an all Audi A1 1.4 TFSI entry list.

Following the success of the first edition, the Audi endurance experience is back. Four qualifying events are scheduled this season around the most prestigious French race tracks, at Le Mans (Bugatti circuit), Magny-Cours, Nogaro and Paul Ricard. The big finale is a challenging 24 hour enduro event set at Paul Ricard in southern France. The series is limited to 26 cars with a five driver line-up for each of the Audi A1 cars. The four qualifying events are each 3 hour endurance races.

Being open for Audi customers and non professional drivers, the Audi A1 racer is very production based. The cars are using the 1.4 TFSI engine producing around 185 bhp. French motorsport specialists from Oreca were also involved in preparing the cars and made them safe for race purposes.

The 2012 calendar:
Le Mans, April 13th
Paul Ricard, June 1st
Nogaro, June 29th
Magny-Cours, September 7th
Paul Ricard (24 hour race), October 19th-21st

More informations:
Audi France official website
Audi France official Facebook
myAudi.fr

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