By Johan Laubscher
This is part 6 of our How to spot an Audi R16 article series. Part 6 focuses on the differences between the 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version and the 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version. All six articles within this series, covering all six versions of the Audi R16, can be seen via the six links listed below:
Article links:
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 5: 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 6: 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
Rear View
1. The new rear wing is the only major change on the 2015 Audi R8 LMS in the GTD class. One of the deficiencies of the previous GTD and Grand-AM Audi R8 LMS versions was the lack of downforce, especially at the rear under heavy braking. The aggressive R8 LMS ultra rear diffuser was added in 2014 to aid the downforce levels at the rear of the car and now for 2015 a larger rear wing has also been permitted. The Audi R8 LMS in the GTD class will now be allowed to use the Crawford 72-inch spec rear wing, an increase over the previous 60-inch version.
Note: The black box placed over the Audi badge (pictured on the right) is a rear-view camera fitted to the Flying Lizard Motorsports Audi R8 LMS, it is not a standard part as supplied by Audi Sport customer racing upon delivery.
2. Along with the addition of the Crawford 72-inch spec rear wing, the Audi R8 LMS will also be allowed to use double front dive planes, two on each side of the car. This is to balance the front and rear downforce due to the increased downforce at the rear. The larger double dive planes now replace the old smaller single dive planes.
This was part 6 of our How to spot an Audi R16 article series. Part 6 focused on the differences between the 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version and the 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version. All six articles within this series, covering all six versions of the Audi R16, can be seen via the six links listed below:
Article links:
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 5: 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 6: 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
Photo credit:
Audi Communications - Motorsport
Audi USA Media / Sideline Sports Photography
Flying Lizard Motorsports
Article links:
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 1: Introduction
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 2: Original Audi R8 LMS and 2012 Audi R8 LMS ultra
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 4: 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultraHow to spot an Audi R16: Part 2: Original Audi R8 LMS and 2012 Audi R8 LMS ultra
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 5: 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 6: 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 6: 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
The Audi R8 LMS which competes in the GT Daytona class (GTD) of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship has its roots in the Audi R8 GRAND-AM, which debuted in the Rolex GRAND-AM GT class at the beginning of 2012. The Audi R8 GRAND-AM was again used in 2013, before being updated for its use in the GTD class of the newly formed TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, a merger of the Rolex GRAND-AM Series and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Heading into the new TUSC the car was known as the GTD version of the Audi R8 LMS.
We have included a comparison of the 2014 and 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD versions. The Audi R8 LMS has remained mostly unchanged, with differences for 2015 mainly being focused on the addition of a larger rear-wing, following BoP changes for the 2015 season.
We have included a comparison of the 2014 and 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD versions. The Audi R8 LMS has remained mostly unchanged, with differences for 2015 mainly being focused on the addition of a larger rear-wing, following BoP changes for the 2015 season.
2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version versus 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
Rear View
1. The new rear wing is the only major change on the 2015 Audi R8 LMS in the GTD class. One of the deficiencies of the previous GTD and Grand-AM Audi R8 LMS versions was the lack of downforce, especially at the rear under heavy braking. The aggressive R8 LMS ultra rear diffuser was added in 2014 to aid the downforce levels at the rear of the car and now for 2015 a larger rear wing has also been permitted. The Audi R8 LMS in the GTD class will now be allowed to use the Crawford 72-inch spec rear wing, an increase over the previous 60-inch version.
Note: The black box placed over the Audi badge (pictured on the right) is a rear-view camera fitted to the Flying Lizard Motorsports Audi R8 LMS, it is not a standard part as supplied by Audi Sport customer racing upon delivery.
Front View
2. Along with the addition of the Crawford 72-inch spec rear wing, the Audi R8 LMS will also be allowed to use double front dive planes, two on each side of the car. This is to balance the front and rear downforce due to the increased downforce at the rear. The larger double dive planes now replace the old smaller single dive planes.
This was part 6 of our How to spot an Audi R16 article series. Part 6 focused on the differences between the 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version and the 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version. All six articles within this series, covering all six versions of the Audi R16, can be seen via the six links listed below:
Article links:
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 1: Introduction
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 2: Original Audi R8 LMS and 2012 Audi R8 LMS ultra
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 4: 2013 Audi R8 LMS ultraHow to spot an Audi R16: Part 2: Original Audi R8 LMS and 2012 Audi R8 LMS ultra
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 5: 2014 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
How to spot an Audi R16: Part 6: 2015 Audi R8 LMS GTD Version
Photo credit:
Audi Communications - Motorsport
Audi USA Media / Sideline Sports Photography
Flying Lizard Motorsports
