Audi boss says GT3 not V8 Supercars
Audi Sport Customer Racing boss says Australia needs GT3 as top categoryAustralia should adopt GT3 as its premier motor racing formula. That’s the opinion of outgoing head of Audi Sport Customer Racing, Romolo Liebchen.
Speaking at the Bathurst 12 Hour, Liebchen (pictured) said he had discussed with V8 Supercars the need for Australia to align with an international formula.
“They are looking for a way to make Supercars survive. But they will not find new manufacturers that will build and develop engines for the formula [V8 Supercars] – the market is too small,” Liebchen told motoring.com.au
“I think if Australia was to adopt a GT3 sprint formula with a single driver [per car], it could be a very strong solution.”
Liebchen will shortly leave his role at Audi Sport Customer Racing for a new role within the German prestige brand’s performance arm, quattro Gmbh.
He says he would like to see the operation which developed Audi’s R8 GT3 LMS and TT Cup based racer, build a new “affordable” customer racing car based on the Italian-based front-drive TCR 2.0-litre regulations.
“There are already a number of markets requesting such a car from us,” he said.
Liebchen says Audi could build such a racer based on the A3 sedan.
He also contends a TCR based category world be an ideal partner formula with GT3 – especially in a market like Australia.
“There are many potential manufacturers. It could be good for spectators and good for manufacturers,” he commented.
“GT3 is successful as it has variety and a strong connection to brands and also to road cars. TCR could be the same. They lift the bonnet and [spectators] see the engine of their [road] car.”
V8 Supercars purchased the rights to the Bathurst 12 Hour recently. The 2016 race is the first run under the new regime. The operation has also sought to purchase the burgeoning Australian GT championship.
Liebchen did not comment on whether Audi Sport Customer racing’s discussion with GT3 were formal or informal.
The ‘father’ of the racing R8’s comments are timely, however. Several V8 Supercar teams and at least one manufacturer have recently discussed the need to push back the adoption of new ‘Gen2’ engine and car regulations to beyond the 2017 season.
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