Audi TT-S is Isle of Man TT Official Car

NEW AUDI TT ON COURSE FOR SPIRITUAL ISLE OF MAN HOMECOMING

Latest Audi TTS is Official Car for 2008 Tourist Trophy (TT) Motorcycle Races

For the first time in more than 100 years, a car sharing the same name as the world’s oldest car races - the TT - will become the official car at the famous Tourist Trophy motorcycle races next month on the Isle of Man.

The latest and most powerful model in the iconic Audi TT range – the new 272PS TTS – will make a fittingly dynamic debut in Britain. The most powerful ever production Audi TT coupe to date has been chosen by the TT organisers as the prestigious “Official Car” at this year’s world-famous event which runs from 24 May-6 June.

Audi paid homage to the legendary Tourist Trophy motorsport event of the same name in naming its “TT” sportscar. It is an event in which machines from one of its founding companies competed with considerable success in the spectacular Tourist Trophy race which was first staged on the Isle of Man in 1905.

Peter Duffy, Audi UK’s Head of Marketing, commented: “Having been supporters of the British Super Bike championship in recent years, we’re now delighted to be associated with the Isle of Man TT races and to be able to play an active part in this world famous event.

“The Isle of Man held the very first Tourist Trophy event in Britain and became an integral part of Audi’s heritage in its days with NSU. We look forward to writing the next chapter in our company’s history with the public showing of the new Audi TTS on the island.”

For two weeks of every year the eyes of the world focus on the Isle of Man as the finest motorcycle road racers spectacularly pit their skills against the 37¾ miles of public roads. Audi UK is supplying eight cars from its impressive product range to manage the running of the event including vital course inspection and roads opening duties.

Adrian Earnshaw, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government, commented: “It is a great opportunity to have Audi as our Official Car Partner especially considering the Audi TT sportscar is named after the TT motorsport event dating back over 100 years”.

The Audi TT was first shown as a concept car at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and was immediately lauded for its ultra-modern, yet seemingly timeless, interpretation of classic sports car design. It was created in homage to the legendary motorsport event of the same name, in which riders from NSU, one of the four companies which joined forces to form Audi, began campaigning in 1911.

Audi has a rich motorsport heritage and the brand continues to enjoy great success in the disciplines in which it competes to this day. Apart from its early activities involving NSU and the Auto Union Grand Prix cars, Audi has been involved more recently in world rallying – changing the face of the sport with its quattro four-wheel-drive – and in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, which it has already conquered twice with its history-making diesel-powered sports-prototypes.

* The Tourist Trophy was first held on the Isle of Man in 1905 but its roots stretch back further. Gordon Bennett donated a trophy and organised a contest to compare the performance of products from the American and European motor industries. The first Gordon Bennett race was held in 1900, on a 352-mile course from Paris to Lyon. In 1902 the finish line was moved from Lyon to Innsbruck in Austria, and in 1903 the race moved to Ireland. England was the next venue planned for 1904, but the ban on road races had not yet been lifted here so the Automobile Club of Great Britain decided to switch the venue to the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea. The Gordon Bennett race took place there for the first time on May 10th, 1904. A year later the first two Tourist Trophy races were held, one in May for motorcycles and the other in September for cars.