Video: Audi R13 in the Spanish Hillclimb Championship

By Johan Laubscher

The Spanish Hillcimb Championship has been the scene for many Audi race cars in the last decade. The Audi A4 STW (Super Touring) has been a very popular choice of car amongst the competitors. For 2013 a very special Audi race car has been added to the series.

One of the long-time drivers, who has been competing with Audis in this series, is Jose Antonio Lopez-Fombona, competing with his Audi A4 STW since 2002. He is a multiple hillclimb champion and has been loyal to Audi A4 Touring cars for over a decade. For 2013 Fombona has decided to retire his older A4 STW, having sold it to another competitor. This decision does not mean the end for Fombona and his hillclimb racing with Audis. He has acquired an Audi R13, and will be competing with the car in Spain this year.

The Audi R13 is the 2007 Audi A4 DTM (B7) car, the same version which took Mattias Ekström to the 2007 DTM driver’s title. Fombona debuted his A4 DTM at the end of April and will continue to compete in the Spanish Hillclimb Championship this year. The car has a beautiful white, grey and orange livery. It is wonderful to see these older race cars still competing.

A number of YouTube videos featuring Fombona’s Audi A4 DTM, including an onboard video, have been embedded below. 

Photo credit: Screenshots from this video

Gallery: Audi cars at the Rechbergrennen

By Johan Laubscher

The Rechberg Hillclimb was held in Austria last weekend, the “Hill Climb Grand Prix of Austria”. The event was part of the FIA Hillclimb Championship and a number of Audi cars were entered.

The most notable Audi entry this weekend was the return of Vláďa Vitver and his modified ABT-Audi TT-R. Vitver had suffered a substantial crash during testing last year and this was the first appearance of the car after an extensive rebuild and further modification. The 2012 testing crash can be seen HERE.

The other Audi entries were spearheaded by Austrian Hillclimb regular, Andreas Marko, and his Audi A4 STW. An Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 replica, an Audi Coupe, a modified Audi S2 and an Audi 90 sedan also competed.

These photos are from our friends at Race-Action.com, who had a number of photographers on site to provide excellent coverage of the event.

More information and photo credit: 
Race-Action.com on Facebook

#53 ABT-Audi TT-R - Vláďa Vitver

#92 Audi A4 STW - Andreas Marko

#196 Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 replica - Harald Neuherz

#84 Audi S2 - Karl Werner

#102 Audi Coupe - Michael Endress

#83 Audi 90 - Edi Lieber

Gallery: Audi quattro cars at Bergrallye Pöllauberg

By Tarek Ramchani

Austria hosted the Bergrallye at Pöllauberg last weekend. A number of Audi quattro cars took part in the event, with some great results. The famous Audi A4 quattro STW of Andreas Marko not only won its class, but also won overall against much faster cars.

Here is a selection of some great photos from our friends at Race-action.com

Photo credit and more information:
Race-Action.com official Facebook

The SVC Vitver Racing ABT-Audi TT-R returns to the hills of Europe

By Johan Laubscher

During 2012 photos emerged of a modified ex-DTM ABT-Audi TT-R. The car was driven by Vláďa Vitver in the FIA Hillclimb Championship and performed very well. The modifications made to the car were the first of its kind on one of these older Audi DTM cars, and it was certainly very interesting.

The changes made to the car included new front and rear bodywork, giving the car the appearance of a Mk II Audi TT, and the addition of a new rear wing, other aerodynamic updates and improved performance. More can be read HERE.

Towards the end of 2012 the car was involved in a crash during testing. The car suffered a lot of damage, however the team have worked hard and continued to improve the car. The crash can be seen HERE.

The SVC Vitver Racing team have announced their 2013 plans which includes continuing in the FIA Hillclimb Championship and the ambitions to compete at Pikes Peak in 2014. Along with the team’s own 2013 plans they are also now represented in Jamaica, where the ATL Automotive ABT-Audi TT-R is competing with the SVC front bodywork and rear wing, more can here seen HERE.

The car was revealed at the 2013 Motorsport Expo in Brno. The Audi has undergone a lot of work, now boasting an improved power output and a very aggressive aerodynamic package. The front of the car is very similar to the 2012 specification with increased intakes, however the rear has been modified extensively and represents a similar appearance to that of the Audi A4 DTM cars in terms of aerodynamic wings. On top of all the modifications the car has also received a beautiful new livery.

Following the 2012 crash it was great news to hear that the driver was unharmed and that the car would be repairable. And now it is even better news as the first pictures of the rebuilt car have emerged, it is great to see these older cars still competing.

More information: 

SVC Vitver RACING website

SVC Vitver RACING on Facebook

SVC 2013 announcement on their website

Photo credit: SVC Vitver RACING

Gallery: Audi quattro cars at Bergrallye Lödersdorf 2013

By Tarek Ramchani

Austria hosted the Bergrallye hillclimb event at Lödersdorf last weekend. Two Audi cars were at the event. The famous Audi A4 quattro STW from Andreas Marko and an S2 quattro from Karl Werner. Both cars did extremely well. Andreas Marko #61 A4 was victorious in the 2000cc class. Karl Werner #8 S2 was third in the upper 2000cc 4WD class.

Our friends from Race-Action.com  were on site and provided some nice photos of the two Audi racers.

Photo credit and more information:
Race-action.com official Facebook