Video Post: Secrets of speed - pure 80s Audi awesome

Although the video quality leaves a little something to be desired, any footage of the 1980s Audi Sport racing efforts in the USA is just too good to be ignored. It's unfortunate that the Trans Am Audi 200 and IMSA 90 GTO only raced a year apiece, because they are undoubtedly two of the best sounding cars ever to grace American race tracks. I suppose however that when family sedans from Germany are beating the best from the USA, the powers that be will turn the screws to make sure it doesn't happen for long... The Trans Am 200 team, run by IMSA legends Group 44, was partially in response to the ridiculous 'unintended acceleration' PR problem that Audi was dealing with at the time.

Trans Am

Following the ban of Quattro (and indeed all foreign made engines and cars) in Trans Am, Audi moved up to IMSA's GTO category with a tube-framed Audi 90 silhouette racer. Competition here was fierce, with factory teams from Nissan, Toyota and the 'big three.' Nissan used the same engine as they did in the GTP class, as did Toyota, which meant horsepower levels were well into the 900hp+ range for sprint races... With more power than before thanks to a 4-valve head (about 720hp, compared to just over 500hp in the Trans Am 200), the 90 GTO was still underpowered compared to the competition, but it was again dominant in just about every race that it entered thanks to the Quattro system.

IMSA 90 GTO

Makes me wish they'd use a 5-cylinder turbo in their GT racing these days...not to knock the power of the TDI, but it sure sounds sterile and boring compared to the fire-breathing 5's.

_WRS