A little history
Audi decided to enter sportscar racing in 1998, at a time when many automobile companies were involved in the competition. Apart from rallies, the racing experience the German company had dated back to… Auto Union, six decades back, so the development of its machine was cautiously subcontracted to specialized Italian outfit Dallara. Designed by famed engineer Tony Southgate, this R8R was a spyder competing in the LMP class. Nevertheless, uncertainty about what formula would dominate all others after the introduction of a new LMGTP class led to the study of a second design, the R8C coupe built in England by NRT. Both models enjoyed very advanced aerodynamics, which resulted in very high top speeds (Audi claimed 350 kph) thanks to their powerful 3.6-litre V8 engine, fed by twin turbochargers and rated at 550 hp for the R8R and 600 hp for the R8C, the former receiving smaller air restrictors in order to follow the rules of its class.
Nowadays automobile manufacturers don’t develop racing cars thoroughly as they used to; as we saw, the development of both the R8R and the R8C was entrusted to specialized companies. The same often applies to entering these cars in the races they are designed for; this was the case with Audi which let Joest Racing, one of the greatest name in endurance racing, manage its R8s on its behalf. For their first season, the Audis proved slower than their competitors, but enjoyed appreciable durability. At Sebring, an Audi spyder finished 3rd for its very first outing, while at Le Mans, avoiding much trouble during a race of attrition, a 3rd place was again achieved.
During 1999, the R8R had scored some encouraging results while the R8C hadn’t much to boast. Audi consequently decided to retire its coupe and concentrate on the development of the spyder, now simply dubbed R8. Its design was refined, and its engine was now officially rated at 610 hp. With most competitors retiring from endurance racing, Audi had an open road to glory, winning Le Mans and dominating the American Le Mans series.
Success was complete for Audi, but the German company hadn’t proved anything by being the only worthy competitor in sportscar racing. Volkswagen allowed another of its subsidiaries, prestige automobile builder Bentley, to return to Le Mans seventy-one year after its last victory in the Sarthe. To most of the public, the Bentley Speed 8 was merely an Audi re-bodied as a coupe; though this is untrue, the British car owed a lot to Audi’s experience, notably using its V8 engine. The challenge proved a weak one and the suspense non-existent. Bentley failed to win the Le Mans 24 hours both in 2001 and 2002, finally achieving its goal in 2003 (works Audi were absent for that purpose) and retiring immediately thereafter.
Bentley’s departure again placed Audi in a very favourable position and, though only private teams were now racing the R8, its domination on both sides of the Atlantic continued. During 2005 though, the R8 showed the first signs of old age. The car again won Le Mans, but only after overcoming a strong challenge from Pescarolo, a team of rather limited means. A new model was needed.
In December 2005, Audi unveiled its new machine for 2006: the R10. While the R8 had proved the efficiency of Volkswagen’s FSI fuel injection system, the R10 would demonstrated the company’s mastery of diesel engines – yes, a diesel-powered car finally won Le Mans, three months after it dominated the Sebring 12 hours, its very first race. Nevertheless the R10 proved heavy and cumbersome on slower tracks due to a much longer wheelbase than the one of its predecessor, thus the R8 was entered instead in several events.
Finally opposition surfaced in 2007 and 2008 as Peugeot declared its challenge to Audi’s supremacy. Its 908 too was powered by a turbocharged diesel, but lacked the preparation of its rival. The main event of the season, the Le Mans 24 hours, was again won by Audi on both years. Advantage was slowly turning to coupes over open cars in endurance racing though, and Audi announced its R15 coupe would replace the R10 spyder for the 2009 season.
About the models
Ixo produces a wide range of Audi R8/R10 models both for itself and for Spanish distributor Altaya. All are excellent, reflecting all the little changes of the original cars' bodies over the years, featuring nice details and sporting good decorations. Therefore I'll collectively give a 14/20 rating to all the following models:
Model: Audi R8R
Year: 1999
Event: 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Didier Theys (finished 3rd overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.32 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2007, in Souillac, France
The original R8 - though it didn't win under this guise it is one of favourite R8s due to its wonderful silver/black paint. My rating, as said above, is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2000
Event: 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Stefan Johansson, Tom Coronel and Patrick Lemarié (retired)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as a gift to subscribers of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: second hand with stand and box, in November 2007, through mail from a fellow collector from Antibes, France
Swede Stefan Johansson didn't go far at the wheel of his older R8 during the 2001 Le Mans, though for a die-cast collector a car sporting the elegant light blue/orange Gulf livery is always a winner. My rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2001
Event: 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.1 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France
Though nowadays most racing cars are decorated with such an intricate patchwork of sponsors you cannot tell what colour they are, Audi is a notable exception, having had several very elegant liveries, including this beautiful silver and red. My rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2004
Event: 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Seiji Ara, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.1 of the second release of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in October 2005, in Souillac, France
The first 24 Heures du Mans collection was apparently such a success that Altaya decided to issue a second series even as the first one was still running. Though its very first model was this 2004 winning Audi, an update over the 2001 similar car of the previous series, all following die-casts were strictly identical. Unsurprisingly, no one was interested, and after about five or six models it was announed that sales would be limited to subscribers. Actually Altaya probably provided its mail customers with the models they expected, but refused any new order and let this second series slowly die for lack of interest. In case you skipped what I wrote above, I let you know that my rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2005
Event: 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by J.J. Lehto, Marco Werner and Tom Kristensen (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.9 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France
Tom Kristensen won his seventh Le Mans 24 hours with this car, breaking the record set by Jacky Ickx. Wow. Possibly because I lost interest in motor racing along the way, possibly also because motorsports have changed and not for the better, or most probably for both reasons combined, I have no idea who Tom Kristensen is. Anyone, help me out of total ignorance. Now for my rating, it is again 14/20 - Ixo's idea of presenting its model covered with "race dirt" doesn't bring much more over a standard model, in my opinion.
Model: Audi R10
Year: 2006
Event: 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.20 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in June 2007, in Souillac, France
The long wheelbase of the R10 doesn't make it the most elegant race car on the track, but Ixo's work is again impeccable. Guess what? My rating is 14/20.
Audi decided to enter sportscar racing in 1998, at a time when many automobile companies were involved in the competition. Apart from rallies, the racing experience the German company had dated back to… Auto Union, six decades back, so the development of its machine was cautiously subcontracted to specialized Italian outfit Dallara. Designed by famed engineer Tony Southgate, this R8R was a spyder competing in the LMP class. Nevertheless, uncertainty about what formula would dominate all others after the introduction of a new LMGTP class led to the study of a second design, the R8C coupe built in England by NRT. Both models enjoyed very advanced aerodynamics, which resulted in very high top speeds (Audi claimed 350 kph) thanks to their powerful 3.6-litre V8 engine, fed by twin turbochargers and rated at 550 hp for the R8R and 600 hp for the R8C, the former receiving smaller air restrictors in order to follow the rules of its class.
Nowadays automobile manufacturers don’t develop racing cars thoroughly as they used to; as we saw, the development of both the R8R and the R8C was entrusted to specialized companies. The same often applies to entering these cars in the races they are designed for; this was the case with Audi which let Joest Racing, one of the greatest name in endurance racing, manage its R8s on its behalf. For their first season, the Audis proved slower than their competitors, but enjoyed appreciable durability. At Sebring, an Audi spyder finished 3rd for its very first outing, while at Le Mans, avoiding much trouble during a race of attrition, a 3rd place was again achieved.
During 1999, the R8R had scored some encouraging results while the R8C hadn’t much to boast. Audi consequently decided to retire its coupe and concentrate on the development of the spyder, now simply dubbed R8. Its design was refined, and its engine was now officially rated at 610 hp. With most competitors retiring from endurance racing, Audi had an open road to glory, winning Le Mans and dominating the American Le Mans series.
Success was complete for Audi, but the German company hadn’t proved anything by being the only worthy competitor in sportscar racing. Volkswagen allowed another of its subsidiaries, prestige automobile builder Bentley, to return to Le Mans seventy-one year after its last victory in the Sarthe. To most of the public, the Bentley Speed 8 was merely an Audi re-bodied as a coupe; though this is untrue, the British car owed a lot to Audi’s experience, notably using its V8 engine. The challenge proved a weak one and the suspense non-existent. Bentley failed to win the Le Mans 24 hours both in 2001 and 2002, finally achieving its goal in 2003 (works Audi were absent for that purpose) and retiring immediately thereafter.
Bentley’s departure again placed Audi in a very favourable position and, though only private teams were now racing the R8, its domination on both sides of the Atlantic continued. During 2005 though, the R8 showed the first signs of old age. The car again won Le Mans, but only after overcoming a strong challenge from Pescarolo, a team of rather limited means. A new model was needed.
In December 2005, Audi unveiled its new machine for 2006: the R10. While the R8 had proved the efficiency of Volkswagen’s FSI fuel injection system, the R10 would demonstrated the company’s mastery of diesel engines – yes, a diesel-powered car finally won Le Mans, three months after it dominated the Sebring 12 hours, its very first race. Nevertheless the R10 proved heavy and cumbersome on slower tracks due to a much longer wheelbase than the one of its predecessor, thus the R8 was entered instead in several events.
Finally opposition surfaced in 2007 and 2008 as Peugeot declared its challenge to Audi’s supremacy. Its 908 too was powered by a turbocharged diesel, but lacked the preparation of its rival. The main event of the season, the Le Mans 24 hours, was again won by Audi on both years. Advantage was slowly turning to coupes over open cars in endurance racing though, and Audi announced its R15 coupe would replace the R10 spyder for the 2009 season.
About the models
Ixo produces a wide range of Audi R8/R10 models both for itself and for Spanish distributor Altaya. All are excellent, reflecting all the little changes of the original cars' bodies over the years, featuring nice details and sporting good decorations. Therefore I'll collectively give a 14/20 rating to all the following models:
Model: Audi R8R
Year: 1999
Event: 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Didier Theys (finished 3rd overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.32 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2007, in Souillac, France
The original R8 - though it didn't win under this guise it is one of favourite R8s due to its wonderful silver/black paint. My rating, as said above, is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2000
Event: 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Stefan Johansson, Tom Coronel and Patrick Lemarié (retired)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as a gift to subscribers of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: second hand with stand and box, in November 2007, through mail from a fellow collector from Antibes, France
Swede Stefan Johansson didn't go far at the wheel of his older R8 during the 2001 Le Mans, though for a die-cast collector a car sporting the elegant light blue/orange Gulf livery is always a winner. My rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2001
Event: 2001 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.1 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France
Though nowadays most racing cars are decorated with such an intricate patchwork of sponsors you cannot tell what colour they are, Audi is a notable exception, having had several very elegant liveries, including this beautiful silver and red. My rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2004
Event: 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Seiji Ara, Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.1 of the second release of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in October 2005, in Souillac, France
The first 24 Heures du Mans collection was apparently such a success that Altaya decided to issue a second series even as the first one was still running. Though its very first model was this 2004 winning Audi, an update over the 2001 similar car of the previous series, all following die-casts were strictly identical. Unsurprisingly, no one was interested, and after about five or six models it was announed that sales would be limited to subscribers. Actually Altaya probably provided its mail customers with the models they expected, but refused any new order and let this second series slowly die for lack of interest. In case you skipped what I wrote above, I let you know that my rating is 14/20.
Model: Audi R8
Year: 2005
Event: 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by J.J. Lehto, Marco Werner and Tom Kristensen (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.9 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France
Tom Kristensen won his seventh Le Mans 24 hours with this car, breaking the record set by Jacky Ickx. Wow. Possibly because I lost interest in motor racing along the way, possibly also because motorsports have changed and not for the better, or most probably for both reasons combined, I have no idea who Tom Kristensen is. Anyone, help me out of total ignorance. Now for my rating, it is again 14/20 - Ixo's idea of presenting its model covered with "race dirt" doesn't bring much more over a standard model, in my opinion.
Model: Audi R10
Year: 2006
Event: 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.20 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in June 2007, in Souillac, France
The long wheelbase of the R10 doesn't make it the most elegant race car on the track, but Ixo's work is again impeccable. Guess what? My rating is 14/20.
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