After a quick safety briefing and a chat with the original R8 designer, Frank Lamberty, I hopped into the car, quickly adjusted my seat, and did my best to keep up with a nine-time Le Mans winner. My first lap was taken at a brisk pace to become familiar with the course and reacquaint myself with the braking points. The next lap was likely a casual cruise for Kristensen, but it allowed me to flex the R8’s muscles well into triple-digit speeds.
On the opening straight, the first thing you notice is that glorious wail from the V10 engine. This is the number one element I will miss from this car in the electrified era. After the exhaust note, the second most apparent detail is the quattro system, which keeps the R8 balanced even when you don’t nail a perfect line through a corner. I never once felt in fear of losing the rear end, giving me the confidence to push harder on some of the most challenging corners. Turn 6 felt the most treacherous as it sets the car up to climb the Rahal straight into the corkscrew. The camber changes arriving mid-apex can easily throw a car off balance if you hit it at the wrong angle. Thankfully, Kristensen in the lead car showed the best line through at pace, and following as closely as I could, I got through it in one piece.
