ATL rolls out Audi

Brian Bonitto, Special Assignment Editor

Call it sheer anticipation. But, the drape which covered the ATL Automotive Racing Team's spanking-new Audi race car did very little to fend off the stares of guests on hand to witness its unveiling.

This was the scene at ATL Automotive's showroom in Bogue City, Montego Bay on Saturday, April 9.

Camera flashes greeted the fierce-looking Audi TT DTM as the covers rolled back. However, when 'the beast' growled, the sound reverberated throughout the showroom, heralding a new era in racing.

"Have you ever seen a race car in Jamaica looking like that?" Adam Stewart, chief executive officer of ATL Automotive, asked the captivated audience.

"Noooo!" the crowd answered in unison.

Expecting audi takeover

"Jamaica has never had the good fortune of the Audi brand being exposed like this. However, with one sale at a time, we'll be number one within the premium-car segment in the next 24 months. I have no doubt about it," he said.

Stewart - son of hotel mogul Gordon 'Butch' Stewart - said the Audi brand was growing three times faster than its German counterpart, BMW.

"In 60 per cent of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Audi is number one," said the CEO. "And we'll be number one in Jamaica."

Doug 'Hollywood' Gore, the man entrusted with the task of creating history on the racetracks with the Audi TT DTM come Easter weekend, was equally delighted with the German-made car.

"It's an awesome machine," Gore told Automotives. "And, on paper, this car is actually the best in the Caribbean."

When asked about his chances in the upcoming Carnival of Speed at Dover Raceway on Easter Monday, April 25, the veteran racer - who traded in his Evolution X for the Audi - had his sights set on the number one spot.

Full marks

"There is only one thing I want to do and that is to win," said Gore, who is arguably one of Jamaica's top drivers. "I'll go out there and do my best and, hopefully, bring home the gold."

Dean Corrodus, president of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club and member of Gore's team, gave the car full marks.

"This is the most technologically advanced, Jamaican-owned race car," Corrodus said.

He further declared that the car was "born" for the track.

"It is unlike the other race cars we have here [in Jamaica] where they are primarily production cars that have been modified as race cars. This car was designed as a race car and then made to look like a production car," said Corrodus.

"It was born, designed and manufactured as a race car," he added.

And, as the launch event came to a close, some guests were left anxious to see this 'beast' run at Dover Raceway on Easter Monday.

AUDI TT DTM RACER

Year: 2003 Engine: 4000cc, V8

Power: 450 hp Fuel: 100 Octane

Tyres: 280/55 - 18 Weight: 2,100 lb

Gear Box: Six-speed sequential

Front engine, rear-wheel drive

No turbo charger (naturally aspirated)