Last March, AUDI AG handed off the very first Audi R8 LMS to Audi Sport Italia. The Audi Sport Italia organization took receipt of the beautiful Audi R8 LMS, the car’s identification coming in the way of a metal stamp with the number 101. The “handoff” took place at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm with Emilio Radaelli, Team Manager of Audi Sport Italia, being handed the keys to the brilliant Silver Arrow R8 LMS from the Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

"In the future our new customer sport program represents Audi Sport’s third business field alongside our factory programs in the DTM and in sport prototypes,” explained Ullrich. "2009 is a test and development year during which we aim to collect as much experience as possible with the R8 LMS. We are delighted to be able to do this with teams with which we are familiar and have established a solid partnership over the years.”

Almost three months later — on May 31, 2009 to be precise — Audi Sport Italia drivers Dindo Capello and Giorgio Sanna debuted the Audi R8 LMS in the opening round of the Italian GT3 Championship at Vallelunga.

In the opening race the momentum of driver Dindo Capello, who started from row number two, was seriously hampered by the filed being forced to follow the safety car from the third corner on for 10 minutes. Shortly thereafter, Capello handed the R8 LMS over to Giorgio Sanna. In a light shower of rain, Sanna did the best could to bring the car home fifth.

In race number two and despite black sheets of rain falling on Vallelunga, Sanna was on the gas, hustling the beautiful #58 R8 LMS into 3rd position. However, just a couple of beats after Audi Sport Italia's pit stop, the safety car waved out onto the circuit onto the track and new driver Capello did al he could to take second place away from former WTCC driver Gianluca De Lorenzi.

Vallelunga, Italy, May 31 2009

Italian GT Round 1:
1. Stefano Livio-Lorenzo Bontempelli (Ferrari) 25 laps, 50:19.789, average speed 121.746 kph
2. M. Grassotto-A. Baso (Lamborghini) + 1.900
3. G. Piccini-F. Geri (Lamborghini) + 13.698
4. R. Bianco-M. Meneghello (Dodge) + 14.365
5. DINDO CAPELLO-GIORGIO SANNA (AUDI R8 LMS) + 48.941

Vallelunga, Italy, May 31 2009

Italian GT Round 2:
1. Stefano Livio - Lorenzo Bontempelli (Ferrari) 24 laps, 49:54.782, average speed117.852 kph
2. DINDO CAPELLO-GIORGIO SANNA (AUDI R8 LMS) + 1 lap
3. G. De Lorenzi - S. Borghi (Porsche) + 1 lap
4. N. Valentini-E. Moncada (Corvette) + 1 lap
5. G. Piccini - F. Geri (Lamborghini) + 1 lap

Points standings after 2 of 14 rounds:
1. Livio, Bontempelli 30 points;
3. DINDO CAPELLO, GIORGIO SANNA 19 pts;
5. Grassotto, Baso, Piccini, Geri 17 pts.;
9. Borghi, De Lorenzi 15 p.

Eric Johnson