12 races over the 2015 DTM season will see dozens of normal guys train with Audi Sport and head out for intense 30-minute TT Cup races with a truly world-class engineering and racing support team at their disposal.

The Audi Sport TT Cup is a customer racing program that will run these 30-minute races of 24 cars each before six major DTM races in the 2015 season.

The price is sure to be high for those who want to join, but the rewards will be high too. This is a fully race-prepped TT with 310-horsepower, roll cage, lightweighting and flypaper grip from slick tires and huge aero pieces. Drivers will train for a few hours every weekend to prepare their skills before battling eachother for podium glory.

Being paired with DTM events means there will even be spectators in the grandstands — sure to up the intensity dramatically versus many customer-racing programs like Corse Clienti from Ferrari.

Might this be the moment the TT starts earning some performance credibility versus the better-liked Porsche Cayman and BMW M235i? It sure can’t hurt! Check out the promo video below, the tech specs of the TT Cup cars, and the official announcement from Audi Sport near the bottom of this page.

To apply for a TT Cup driver’s seat, cruise over here.

http://www.audi-motorsport.com/de/en/tt-cup/fahrerwerden.html

Audi Sport TT Cup from Audi Communications Motorsport on Vimeo.

2015 Audi Sport TT Cup

TECH SPECS

Model	Cup Vehicle
Body	Body-in-white featuring a steel/aluminum hybrid design with welded-in steel safety cell (acc. to FIA Regulations)
Engine	2.0 TFSI Four-in-line gasoline engine with gasoline direct injection, exhaust gas turbocharger
Cubic capacity	1,984 ccm
Power output	228 kW (310 hp) / 250 kW (340 hp) – Boost for overtaking maneuvers accessible
Torque	Over 400 Nm at 1,600 to 4,300 rpm
Type of drive	Front-wheel drive, traction control (ASR), cctive electro-hydraulic front axle limited-slip differential
Transmission	6-speed dual-clutch S tronic with paddle shifting
Length/Width/Height	4,620/1,994/1,195 mm
Minimum weight	1,125 kg
Fuel tank capacity	50 l

In the Audi Sport TT Cup, all 24 race cars are centrally prepared and fielded by quattro GmbH – this guarantees maximum equality of opportunity.

Arrive & Drive

Audi has opted for a concept that has proved successful in other one-make cup series. quattro GmbH prepares all 24 cars and fields them as well. This guarantees absolute equality of opportunity. The participants can rely on always sitting in a perfectly prepared race car.

The entry fee includes the preparation of the car and fielding in the race, data analyses and set-up support, a mechanic, VIP tickets including admission to the Audi Lounge in the paddock, and dedicated areas on the Audi TT cup for logos of personal sponsors.

The drivers will not have to take care of transportation and garage equipment either. Audi will take all the cars to the events. The pits will be located in a central tent that allows fans and guests to get close to the race cars as well.

Push-to-pass for more overtaking maneuvers

The so-called push-to-pass function will make for additional suspense in the 30-minute races of the Audi Sport TT Cup. By means of a so-called push-to-pass function the engine’s output can receive a short-term boost of 22 kW (30 hp) for overtaking maneuvers by pushing a button on the steering wheel. A blue lamp in the windshield indicates the boost activation. LEDs in the rear window show rivals and spectators how many times the driver can still use the additional power. The number of available boosts is defined by the regulations.

Six events as part of the DTM

Six events, twelve races, 24 cars: These are the basic facts of the Audi Sport TT Cup that will enhance the DTM supporting program from 2015 on. The Audi Sport TT Cup will participate in a total of six DTM events in Germany and neighboring countries in 2015.

Two 30-minute races are planned at each event. The driving time, including free practice and qualifying, will be more than two hours per weekend.

Audi to launch racing series for the new TT

Audi Sport TT Cup from 2015 in DTM environment

Attractive race car for beginners and drivers switching from other series
Prof. Dr. Hackenberg: “The TT is going to thrill fans and drivers”

With a dedicated racing series for the Audi TT* the brand with the four rings will be offering a new opportunity to enter the company’s successful motorsport world. The Audi Sport TT Cup will be held as part of the DTM starting in the 2015 season. This means that, following the successful introduction of the Audi R8 LMS Cup in Asia, Audi is launching another one-make cup in Germany next year. The racing version of the new Audi TT with a weight of only 1,125 kilograms delivers 228 kW (310 hp). By means of a so-called push-to-pass function the output of the two-litre TFSI engine can be briefly boosted by 22 kW (30 hp).

“The Audi TT is an icon and continues to epitomise powerful sportiness and emotional design in what is now its third generation,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of Audi’s Board of Management for Technical Development. “For me it was clear that a driving machine like the new Audi TT belongs on the race track as well. With the Audi Sport TT Cup we have found an exciting approach. The TT is going to thrill fans and drivers.”

In the 2015 season, at each of six DTM events in Germany and neighbouring countries, two races of the Audi Sport TT Cup are planned. quattro GmbH will centrally prepare and field the 24 cars. Six cockpits will be reserved for changing guest drivers, while interested drivers can apply worldwide for the other 18 places on the grid at www.audi-motorsport.com effective immediately. The multi-stage selection process will take place in close cooperation with the Audi driving experience.

Markus Winkelhock will be on hand to coach the participants of the Audi Sport TT Cup as an experienced professional race driver. The former Audi DTM driver and winner of this year’s 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa has already tested the TT cup. His impression: “The Audi TT cup is a genuine race car, ideal for rookies, yet challenging to drive. You immediately feel that you’re sitting in an Audi and recognise the close kinship with the brand’s other race cars.”

The extremely light body of the third TT generation with its intelligent material mix of steel and aluminum provides an ideal base for a race car. The four-cylinder TFSI and the six-speed S tronic were adopted from the production model nearly unchanged. An active differential that is electronically variable from the cockpit ensures optimal traction at the front axle.

“With the TT cup we offer an attractive race car for beginners and drivers who switch from other racing series,” says Heinz Hollerweger, Managing Director of quattro GmbH. “It goes without saying that for Audi safety is of paramount importance. We’re using features from the Audi R8 LMS ultra, such as the Audi PS1 Safety Seat.”

The winner of the new Audi Sport TT Cup can look forward to receiving support in Audi’s successful GT3 sports car program. A subsequent promotion to the DTM or the WEC with Audi is another dream of many young race drivers. “Audi fully concentrated on top-flight racing for a long time,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The Audi R8 LMS in 2008 was the first race car we specifically developed for use by customer teams. With the Audi Sport TT Cup, quattro GmbH now also offers the opportunity to enter racing with Audi.”

Tom Burkart

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.