ABT-Audi TT-R has a new face in Jamaica

By Johan Laubscher

The ATL Automotive TT-R was re-launched in Jamaica yesterday. The team held a press conference at ATL where they revealed the car’s new look and the new livery. During the early 2000s the ABT-Audi TT-R race cars were a formidable force in the German DTM championship. The cars were finally replaced at the end of 2003 when the Audi A4 DTM R11 was introduced, however one TT-R made one final DTM start at the 2004 Shanghai DTM event. Along with the TT-R’s DTM career the cars also competed at the 2003 and 2004 Nürburgring 24 Hours, these cars being built to a more robust endurance specification. 

ATL team launch 2011

After the cars were officially retired a number of the TT-Rs were sold to private teams, all in the endurance specification. They have been seen racing all over the world from Brazil to Europe and even Hillclimb racing. During 2011 one of these ABT-Audi TT-R cars was sold to the ATL Automotive group in Jamaica. They acquired the car to compete in both Jamaica and the Caribbean. Doug Gore was, and still is the driver for the ATL TT-R. The team achieved much success during 2011 and were allowed special dispensation to run in the 2012 Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC). The car was not allowed to compete in the CMRC during 2011 due to being lighter than the minimum weight of the championship. 

The scene was set for a tremendous 2012 season with Doug Gore and the Audi competing in the CMRC. However tragedy struck at the first corner of the very first race. Doug was involved in an accident which sent the car hurtling off the track, causing damage to the chassis. The damage resulted in the car being out for the season as it headed back to Germany to be repaired at the ABT Sportsline workshops.

2012 SVC ABT-Audi TT-R 

At the beginning of 2013 it was confirmed that the car would be back and that the repairs had been finished. Read more about that HERE. Many photos of the repair appeared online which revealed new bodywork for the TT-R. The new bodywork resembles the appearance of a Mk2 Audi TT. The new design was developed by the SVC Vitver Racing team from the Czech republic. During 2012 the Czech team developed the new bodywork and competed in the FIA Hillclimb Cup with their TT-R driven by Vitver Vláďa, more can be read HERE. The ATL team purchased the new front end and rear wing from SVC and had them fitted by ABT in Germany.

As was the case with ATL the SVC also experience a large crash during 2012. The crash occurred whilst the team was testing for the final 2012 Hillclimb event, and also caused a lot of damage to their car, more can be read HERE. However the SVC team have worked very hard and the car will be ready for the 2013 Hillclimb season.

The ATL Automotive car was revealed yesterday ahead of its first 2013 race meeting this weekend. The team will be competing at the Jamwest Speedway Circuit Attack. We have included more photos from the launch below, showing the new car’s new look. It is great news to hear that both the ATL and SVC TT-Rs will be back in 2013 following their accidents in 2012.

More information:
ATL Automotive on Facebook

SVC Vitver Racing on Facebook

Photo credit: ATL Automotive and race-action.com