The good old Audi A4

[smiffy43]

I think that Audi should come back they were the top team in my books when they were around.

The good old A4 kicked ass.Any one else think the same or is it just me being wierd as usual?

Bintcliffe and Muller were top drivers in my books.

Can anyone explain why Audi went in the first place ?

And they should come back with the TT that wil whoop 'em all!

[knowlesy59]

hi there smiffy.

the A4(ur fav car on toca2)did kik ass but only in 4wd format.
and muller is still around and going to win this years championship.was that in ur books too lol

[Sodemo]

I have a really wicked pic of an A4 if you want it.

I can post it or put it up on this board.

[knowlesy59]

roll on the pic then cos i wouldnt mind seeing it!

[smiffy43]

can u please put the pic ov the audi on this board then please mate.most appreciated

steve

[Sodemo]

I would but i don't know how.

Also my mail service is buggered at the mo' but i'll try.

[A4]

Audi dropped out of the BTCC because they had achieved everything that they set out to achieve. They couldn't get any better. They went on to do Le Mans and this year the same crew that worked in the BTCC are now heading up the Bentley Le Mans project under the name of Apex Motorsport.

The A4 was a brilliant car to work on and in my eyes it's probably the best touring car ever.

[Sparky]

Originally posted by A4
Audi dropped out of the BTCC because they had achieved everything that they set out to achieve.

The A4 was a brilliant car to work on and in my eyes it's probably the best touring car ever.

While I agree that the A4 was dominant, the success can be directly attributed to the four wheel drive system. I'm not saying they cheated, or used an unfair advantage, because any team could have introduced a similar system before the rules were changed to the front wheel drive format. Indeed Ford tried and failed with the 4WD Mondeo.

But you have to admit, they weren't quite as competitive once the playing field was levelled.

I believe that, while Audi certainly did achieve all they'd hoped to in the BTCC, the disappointment of non-podium finishes must have helped them decide, after such a long string of 4WD successes, to change direction.

[Sodemo]

here, ill try and get the pic up.

Its an A4 (Bitcliffe) at Dingle Dell.

[Lorna]

Don't forget the 4WD A4 had to carry a weight ballast because of the four wheel drive. That didn't stop their victories in Knockhill in 1997.

[Sparky]

Originally posted by Lorna
Don't forget the 4WD A4 had to carry a weight ballast because of the four wheel drive. That didn't stop their victories in Knockhill in 1997.

Not enough ballast, then I reckon!! Sorry Lorn. Couldn't help myself.

I spent six years working on Audi and VW cars, and I know the quality of the cars. I do admire Audi - they're a fine, well built automobile and I applaud their victories. But the competition was a little... over-awed by their (hidden) strengths. As soon as they were restricted to 2WD, they decided not to play anymore. I suppose you could say that they achieved all they were going to... Either way, they're not likely to return with a 4WD system if they return.

[redshoes]

You have to admire Audi for the way they have constantly been able to overcome weight penalties and the inherent problems of 4WD. They did the same in the DTM, IMSA Trans-Am (which was a particular favourite of mine) and the BTCC.

As Sparky said, other (notably Ford) tried to build 4WD touring cars but were never able to find a way around the friction losses of such a complex drivetrain.

[Vrooar!]

I remember seeing the '97 BTCC Audis racing in Sweden in the Swedish Touring Car Championship the year after they quit in England. Those cars went as fast on the grass as they went on the tarmac. Wicked stuff.

And to make things better they trashed the living daylights out of an unsespecting Mondeo and a pair of Volvos, much to the dislike of the fans.

Old-school BTCC tourers, you just got to love 'm.

But give me the DTM Alfa 155 anytime.

[kmchow]

I am shocked to hear that for the first ETCC round, Honda (TOTALLY UNEXPECTED) and Alfa (expected) each took a round, beating Audi!! Or perhaps, it's because no crack (high quality) team is running an Audi???

Of course, regardless of who wins, I still love ST cars!!
hee,heee!!