Even if Larry races his '87 Audi 5000 CS Turbo quattro in none of the big racing series, it sure is a car to watch. Larry sticks to smaller series as in the major ones it would be regarded as "unlimited", caused by the bodywork, having to compete with 400 to 500hp monsters. But Larry chose to let the slightly tuned 10V turbo engine in the car and race against cars like modified Porsche 944 Turbos in a less professional series. | |
Thanks to Larry's thoughtful modifications, his car is on one level with the tuned Porsches. Body work include a front spoiler that was built from a second stock bumper that was cut, turned upside down and riveted onto the old bumper. The rear features a spoiler as seen on the Audi 200 Trans Am. You can pretty clearly see that both headlights now work as air intakes. Larry uses an intercooler that can be sprayed with a mixture of alcohol and water. The system is controlled by what was once the controller for the heated seats. It works so well that a Porsche team has built one, too: They use a hightech version with several sensors and using the engine computer unit! | |
Everything unneccessary was removed. So the inner rearlights are gone. You can see the worked fenders front and rear. They give shelter to 245/45/17 BF Goodrich R1 mounted on 17"x9" rims. Pretty tough for a Type44 without stock flared fenders like the 200 20V! The 17" rims give enough place for the large brake rotors of 12" (305 mm) and 4 piston calipers on all 4 corners. Larry would like to use wider rotors than 7/8" (23 mm), but this would result in clearance problems. As he uses harder racing pads in the rear than in front he can avoid the rear wheels braking to much. Besides that the car has adjustable brake-balance front to rear. | |
It was quite a hassle till the reworked coil-over suspension would work. Various sets of springs had to be tested. Now the car sits pretty low, ideal for smooth circuits and handles well with Konis adjustable dampers in front and Sachs dampers in the rear and a newly made rear stabilizer (sway bar). The "Chevrolet" plate has a special story: One of Larry's friends took it off his Chevy and glued it onto Larry's car. He drove a whole day without realising it. Then he decided that it had earned to stay there! | |
One of the most important parts of making this limo a racer was the construction of a roll-bar. Larry did it all by himself and came up with a very strong but light piece of art. The car is now much stiffer and handles very crisply. Note the empty door! | |
Lightweight, that is Larry's biggest clue for racing. He stripped down the car to an impressing 2840 pounds (1288 kg)! Luxury? Forget it! Weight, or the lack thereof is what counts. Larry moved his driving seat to the middle of the car to create better balance. The seat is not only the only in the car, it is also very light, as you would have guessed. In all that pure racing outfit, have you seen the wooden shifter knob? It controls a non-turbo gearbox that is matched by a non-turbo rearend providing Larry with a pretty useful range of gears. Note the detachable steering-wheel! |