Audi RS4 returns to Superstars

By Johan Laubscher

The Audi RS4 has always been a favourite in the Italian Superstars Series. Audi Sport Italia debuted the RS4 in the championship during 2006 and went on to win multiple titles and races. A total of four cars were built and used by Audi Sport Italia. During 2012 the now ageing RS4 race cars were replaced by the brand new Audi RS5, which went on to claim championship victory.

Since the opening round of the 2012 Superstars Series, when the MTM team used a silver RS4 as their RS5 was still being constructed, none of the RS4 cars have competed again. It was rumoured that a private team would run the cars during 2012, but this never materialised.

As the 2013 season is approaching it has been announced that Audi Sport Italia will be back with the Audi RS5, but along with this comes the news that the Audi RS4 cars will be back on track this year. A private team, PRS NOS Racing, will field three of the ex-Audi Sport Italia RS4s. The cars will be driven by Alessandro Kouzkin and Nello Nataloni, the third driver is yet to be confirmed.

The new team has already received the Audi cars and took part in the Superstars group test at Adria, using two of the cars, photos included below. It is great to see the faithful older Audi RS4 cars back on track. They are, and always will be, Audi fan favourites. 

Photo credit: Maurizio Alfredo Beretta via Audi Sport Italia 

World’s Fastest Audi RS4 with 1200+ HP is FOR SALE

By Johan Laubscher

Finland is a very special place for Audi fans. The country has produced some of the craziest Audi race cars the world has ever seen, ranging from Super Saloon racers to drag racing monsters.

For Audi cars in Finland the engine of choice has always been the legendary turbocharged Audi five cylinder unit. The glorious engine notes of these engines and the wonderful turbos are well known at Finnish events where Audis are competing.

Among all the monstrous Audis from Finland there is a real gem. A very special Audi RS4 B7 exists which was developed to devour the quarter mile. Built by the 4WD Drag Race Team in co-operation with APR Finland, this RS4 is armed with a very potent five cylinder engine.

The cars story began in 2006 when Tomi Paavola began racing and modifying his red Audi Coupe with the 4WD Drag Race Team. The car was developed and improved during the 2007-2008 seasons. Finally it was decided to move onto a new platform, a new Audi racer. The team acquired an empty Audi RS4 B7 sedan shell and got to work developing the new car. The engine came from the older Coupe and was improved even further. Many months past and the finished product was a masterpiece. The beautiful silver machine was ready to hit the track. 2009 saw the debut of the Audi which comfortably run sub 9 second quarter-mile passes. After 2009 the Audi was temporarily retired as Paavola tried other forms of motorsport.

Fast forward to 2012 and the car is back on the strip, faster and more powerful than ever before. The team are competing in select events during 2012 as they try to find a buyer for the car. They have already achieved a great milestone so far. A new record run was achieved recently during a night time solo run at Parnu, the video is included below. The performance figures of the car are staggering. Approaching 1200+ Hp coupled with over 900 Nm of torque is produced by the five cylinder engine.  

A few months ago QuattroWorld.com published a detailed story about this Audi RS4. It is a great read and also includes all the technical details. It is well worth a look via the link HERE. 

We at the Audi Motorsport Blog were contacted and informed recently that this unique Audi RS4 is still for sale and ready to race in Finland. The APR Finland team have been busy upgrading the car during 2012. The car is ready to race and they would be delighted to find a buyer for their special Audi RS4. 

Price tag is 70 000 euro, delivered, and it includes an introduction to the car on strip in Finland, or with travel cost, at buyer's destination.

Prospective buyers can contact "J" from APR Finland (Mr Jyrki J Repo) at repo@aprfinland.fi

More information:
APR Suomi Finland FB website

APR Suomi Finland FB page

Photo Gallery of the RS4

QuattroWorld.com feature on the RS4

Thanks to 4wd drag race/Heikki Heineken Malinen for the photos.

A selection of videos and photos have been included below:

Videos: 

 

Photos: 

Video: Mattias Ekström Audi RS4 hotlap in Austria

By Johan Laubscher

Everyone’s favourite Swede, Audi DTM star Mattias Ekström, has a look at the new B8 generation Audi RS4 Avant and takes it for a hot lap around the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The 4.2 normally aspirated V8 revving to over 8000 rpm sounds glorious, enjoy the video: 

Mattias Ekström in the Audi RS4

Audi Sport Italia RS5 - positive debut at Monza

 By Johan Laubscher

The debut of the Audi RS5 in the Italian Superstars championship has been one that the fans have been waiting to see for a very long time. Two of the new RS5 race cars debuted at the first round of the 2012 Superstars season at Monza and the cars did not disappoint.

The first long awaited photos of the car landed on the internet on the Friday of the race weekend and there was immediately a buzz surrounding the look of the new RS5. Some love it, some hate it, but you have to admit it has an extremely aggressive appearance. Two of the new cars were ready and were driven by Italian Gianni Morbidelli (Audi Sport Italia) and Swede Johan Kristoffersson (Kristoffersson Motorsport). The third RS5 was not ready in time for the Monza event and the third driver Thomas Schöffler (MTM Motorsport) drove one of the older RS4 cars.

The weekend got off to a rocky start in practice with the new cars having quite a few problems. Johan Kristoffersson did show the potential of the car in free practice 2 by setting the third fastest time. Thomas Schöffler had strong showings in the old car an even qualified 11th. Qualifying was a disaster for the RS5s with no Audis in the top 10, both RS5 cars had difficulties.

Johan Kristoffersson #46 RS5 leads Gianni Morbidelli #45 RS5 during race 1

As race day dawned Audi fans feared for a bad day, but these fears were unnecessary. All three Audis stormed into the top 10 in race 1. The Audi front being led by Johan Kristoffersson and a charging Gianni Morbidelli who had started at the back of the grid. Johan held his own in his debut race to finish fifth and Morbidelli finished in seventh. Schöffler was in the top 10 for most of the race but dropped to twelfth in the closing laps.

Race two saw Gianni Morbidelli charging at the front in a battle for the lead. He held second position for the closing phases of the race, but right at the end of the race Gianni Morbidelli lost second place and eventually finished in fifth. However he was clearly one of the fastest cars on the track, backed up by his lap time figures. Both his teammates unfortunately retired from race 2.

The new RS5 has silenced the critics, the car clearly has potential and its 4.2 V8 engine can more than hold its own with the big V8 monsters in the Italian Superstars series. A very strong race debut and Audi fans are looking forward to the next round of the series set for Imola on the 22^nd of April.

Cover photo by Stefano Ciabattoni
All other photos are hosted at Superstars.it

More Information:

Audi Sport Italia FB fans page 

Superstars Series FB page 

Superstars Series website 

Video highlights of race 1

Video highlights of race 2

Gianni Morbidelli #45 RS5 (Audi Sport Italia)

 Johan Kristoffersson #46 RS5 (Kristoffersson Motorsport)

Thomas Schöffler #47 RS4 (MTM Motorsport)