Almost 40 years ago - on October 10, 1983 - today's Audi Sport GmbH was founded as "quattro GmbH". The birthday celebrations begin next weekend with the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (May 18-21, 2023).
40 years, more than 250,000 vehicles produced in the past ten years alone and over 400 motorsport titles won meet 20.832 kilometers, 73 turns and elevation differences of more than 300 meters - key data that stand for Audi Sport GmbH and the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. Audi Sport has been an official partner of the 24-hour race since 2002 and provides the race organizers with the "Official Cars". The Audi R8 LMS has been competing in the Eifel marathon since 2009.
With six overall victories and three further GT3 class wins to date, Audi is the most successful manufacturer in the GT3 era of the endurance classic in the "Green Hell". At this year's edition of the 24-hour race, the four Audi R8 LMS cars of the Audi Sport teams will compete with retro designs that pick up on famous liveries from Audi's motorsport history to mark the 40th anniversary of Audi Sport GmbH. In keeping with the anniversary, former DTM champions Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk will start the race with the number 40. Their Audi R8 LMS from Audi Sport Team Scherer PHX is visually inspired by the Audi V8 quattro DTM from 1992.
Exciting activities for the anniversary
Audi is planning several events for the 24-hour race weekend on the Eifel circuit. On May 19, Mike Rockenfeller, Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk as well as Audi Sport Managing Directors Sebastian Grams and Rolf Michl will be available to answer questions at the "Championstalk" in the press center. Various models from the company's history will be on display in the Ring Boulevard. These include the first-generation Audi R8 and RS 4 Avant, the current R8 GT and the RS 4 Avant with Competition package. Another attraction is the Audi S1 Hoonitron, with which Ken Block caused a sensation on the streets of Las Vegas in the "Electrikhana" video.
Fans can also look forward to celebrations at the headquarters of Audi Sport GmbH in Neckarsulm. The anniversary exhibition "40 years of Audi Sport GmbH - Fascination meets performance" will provide an almost complete overview of the company's history from June 14. In addition to automotive attractions - from the first vehicle of the former quattro GmbH to various models from the customer sport program and the current product portfolio - the Audi Forum Neckarsulm will also feature exhibits worth seeing from the Audi Collection and vehicle customization. The exhibition runs parallel to the special exhibition "150 Years of NSU: Innovation, Daring, Transformation".
Finally, another event is scheduled for the fall: To mark the birthday of Audi Sport GmbH, a rally for fans of the red diamond is planned for October 14 at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. Audi Sport GmbH is hosting a special day of action there. Informative guided tours through the special exhibition, which will be supplemented exclusively for this day with additional exhibits on four wheels that are otherwise not accessible to the public, will take visitors on an exciting journey through the company's 40-year history.
Further information and content on 40 years of Audi Sport GmbH can be found here.
