Audi will unveil modified aerodynamics for the Audi R8 on Tuesday during the official Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) test days. Whilst the previous year’s regulations are valid in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), a narrower rear wing is mandatory at Le Mans and in the 2004 LMES. Audi reworked the R8 in the wind tunnel and has made a new aerodynamic configuration available to its customer teams that retrieves some of the downforce initially lost as a result of the change.

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Audi R8 at the top in LMES test at Paul Ricard
Audi drivers Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen set the day’s best times on Tuesday and Wednesday at the first official Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) test days at Paul Ricard. Allan McNish was fastest on the first test day in the Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx Audi R8, on Wednesday Tom Kristensen in the Audi Sport Japan Team Goh R8 set the two day test’s absolute best time. The Audi R8 ran for the first time in the new aerodynamic configuration at Paul Ricard. “Once again Audi has done a great job in the wind tunnel,” noted Tom Kristensen. “In spite of the regulations specifying narrower rear wings, as driver one can hardly feel a change in handling.”

Tom Kristensen competes in LMES opener
Tom Kristensen will strengthen Audi Sport Japan Team Goh at the opening round of the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) on 9 May at Monza, where he will line up alongside Rinaldo Capello and Seiji Ara. The Japanese Audi customer team uses the 1000 kilometre race as dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 12/13 June.