R8 (LMP) 2005

STORY

The Audi R8 LMP was a Le Mans prototype introduced in 2000, developed from the earlier R8R and R8C, and it became one of the most dominant sports-prototypes in endurance-racing history. Powered by a twin-turbo 3.6-litre V8 and run by Audi Sport Team Joest, it turned Audi into the benchmark of endurance racing.

The R8 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, five wins in six years, its only defeat coming in 2003 to the Volkswagen Group stablemate Bentley Speed 8. It also took six consecutive American Le Mans Series titles from 2000 to 2005. Fast, reliable and endlessly rebuildable at the trackside, the R8 LMP gave Audi the motorsport prestige that its road-going R8 supercar would later celebrate.