By Tarek Ramchani :
The Audi A4
DTM "R14" raced its final season last year. Based on the Audi A4 B8
generation model, it raced in the German Touring Car Masters from 2008 to 2011.
A four-door sedan that won the championship title three times out of four
attempts, quite amazing.
The Audi A4
DTM R14 was introduced in 2008 to replace the older Audi A4 DTM R13 (B7
generation model). However the new R14 was given only to top Audi supported
team in the German series, ABT Sportsline. Four cars in hands of Mattias
Ekstrom, Martin Tomczyk, Timo Scheider and Le Mans ace Tom Kristensen. The
other two factory supported teams Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg still using
the older R13. The season started at Hockenheim, first time out for the A4 R14
and immediately winning. A storming and sensational 1-2-3 victory. Mattias
Ekström ahead of Timo Scheider and Tom Kristensen. Victory too at Oschersleben,
a 1-2 win Timo Scheider leading Martin Tomczyk. The following three rounds were
all AMG Mercedes-Benz victories. Moving to Zandvoort, and the R14 again
returned victorious. A flawless 1-2-3-4 win, Mattias Ekström took his second
victory of the season. The R14 also won with Timo Scheider at Brands Hatch. At
Le Mans again another win with Mattias Ekström. And victory during the season
finale at Hockenheim with Timo Scheider. Six races victories out of eleven.
Enough to give Timo Scheider the 2008 DTM drivers championship title. Mattias
Ekström got a very strong third overall. A great debut for a completely new
car.
For the 2009 season, Audi Sport introduced an evolution for
the A4 R14, Called "R14 plus." It was a step ahead of the 2008
winning model. Again this updated version exclusively in hands of ABT
Sportsline. While the satellite teams Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg fielded
the one year old R14. As always the season opener was at the Hockenheimring,
and yet again a winning debut. A nice 1-2-3-4 victory for Audi, a 1-2 for the
R14 plus. Mr. Le Mans, Tom Kristensen winner ahead of Timo Scheider. The
following three rounds were dominated by AMG. At Oschersleben for round 5, the
R14 plus was back to winning. A fine 1-2-3 with Timo Scheider victorious. Wins
came also at the Nürburgring with Martin Tomczyk and at Barcelona with Timo
Scheider. End of the season and title defended, Timo Scheider winning back to
back championship titles.
The 2010 season saw the rules for the DTM regulations
unchanged from 2009. No further improvements were allowed to keep costs down.
Meaning the teams have to compete with their old cars. Only slight improvements
for the R14 plus, again in hands of team ABT Sportsline only. The other two
teams fielding the 2008 Spec cars. 2010 was no doubts the hardest one for Audi
Sport and the A4 R14 in its 4-year life. Only two victories all season long out
of eleven races. The two wins were signed by Mattias Ekström at Valencia for
round 2, and Adria for round 10. Hard season and many criticized the Dunlop
tire. All year long the Audis were hit by punctures, while the rivals from
Mercedes-Benz, rarely faced those same troubles. In the end, the best ranked
Audi driver was Mattias Ekström, in a very disappointing 5th overall.
Moving to 2011, the DTM changed its tire partner. Saying
goodbye to Dunlop and welcoming Hankook as the new and exclusive tire supplier
for the series. Changes were also made in the Audi driver squads. Martin
Tomczyk a long time ABT Sportsline driver switched with Mike Rockenfeller,
joining Phoenix Racing. At first this is seen as penalizing for Tomczyk,
leaving the top supported team for a satellite one. However, all 2011 season
long, Martin proved to be the fastest and strongest. Audi won 7 races, plus a
non championship event at Munich Olympic Stadium with rookie Edoardo Mortara.
The seven race victories came at Zandvoort, the Red Bull Ring, the
EuroSpeedway, the Nürburgring, Brands Hatch, Oschersleben and Valencia. Audi’s
full domination, with Martin Tomczyk winning his first drivers championship
title. History too for Phoenix Racing, scoring their first DTM victory ever
with Audi in Austria, and becoming the first ever satellite team to win the DTM
championship overall. Audi’s brilliant season was completed by Mattias
Ekström's nice 2nd overall and the teams title for ABT Sportsline. The perfect
end for a winning machine.
The A4 R14
is with no doubt the most successful DTM racer from Audi Sport. It took twenty
race victories, ahead of the legendary Audi V8 quattro DTM and its seventeen
wins. For 2012 DTM is changing radically, new technical rules and a new format.
Goodbye to the 4-door sedans as the rules are returning to the 2-door Coupes
formula, as in the 2000-2003 era. Audi Sport is changing as well, with the A4
being dropped, moving to the new A5 DTM R17.
