One to Buy: 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT
In September 2003 Lamborghini announced a GT racing version of the Murcielago in collaboration with Reiter Engineering (who built the cars) and Audi Sport (who provided much of the technical expertise). The highly anticipated machine would run in the FIA’s premier GT class and the ACO’s GTS category.
Up until this point, Lamborghini’s motor sport participation had by and large been limited to engine supply deals for offshore power boats and Formula 1 plus batches of SVR and GTR Diablo one-make racers. However, the firm’s move into top flight GT racing with parent company Audi overseeing the operation was cause for much optimism back in Sant’Agata.
In the conversion to R-GT trim, Reiter ditched the Murcielago’s four-wheel drive system, trimmed the weight down to 1100kg and fitted a smaller six instead of 6.2-litre V12 which was hooked up to a new sequential gearbox. The suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres also came in for significant attention and a dramatic aero kit was installed.
After a promising race debut at the Valencia 500km FIA GT Championship race in April 2004 (where Peter Kox and Oliver Gavin should have won but ultimately finished third), Reiter went on to deliver five customers cars during the remainder of 2004. Of these, three went to Krohn-Barbour Racing in the USA and the other pair to DAMS in France.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s sale at Villa Erba on May 20th is one of the Krohn-Barbour trio from that debut campaign: chassis 01057.
Krohn-Barbour ran 01057 in the 2004 American Le Mans Series, during which the car picked up a best finish of 16th overall and second in the GTS class at Sonoma. Despite retiring late on at Portland and Road Atlanta it was also classified 18th and 21st respectively (for fifth in the GTS class on both occasions).
Today, chassis 01057 is offered in superb condition having undergone a restoration to its original specification by Reiter Engineering between 2009 and 2010.
Reprinted below is RM Sotheby’s description for this important early piece of Lamborghini GT racing history:
VIN: ZA9BC10E04LA01057
One of just 11 R-GT chassis believed to have been produced between 2003 and 2009
Entered into six rounds of the 2004 American Le Mans Series, competing for Krohn-Barbour Racing
Rebuilt by original constructors Reiter Engineering
Estimate: €700,000 - €800,000
The acquisition of Lamborghini by the Volkswagen Group in 1998 resulted not only in a significant expansion in the former’s car production, but also of their competitive horizons. Sant’Agata’s new-for-2001 offering, the Murciélago, represented an excellent basis for a competition GT car. Long-time Lamborghini tuning specialist Reiter Engineering and Audi Sport collaborated over the next two years to develop a two-wheel-drive version compliant with both FIA GT Championship and Le Mans regulations.
The resulting Murciélago R-GT featured an air-restricted racing variant of the production car’s 6.0-litre V-12 engine, a Holinger six-speed sequential gearbox, and Brembo six-piston brake callipers; the package crucially achieved the prescribed GTS class weight limit of just 1,100 kilograms. Some 11 R-GTs were constructed by Reiter, of which three were destined for the Krohn-Barbour Racing team competing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
The R-GT offered here, chassis 1057, made its race debut in the fourth round of the 2004 ALMS at Sonoma, where it was driven by team owner, Tracy Krohn, and Dave McEntee. The pair finished a respectable 16th overall and 2nd in class, beaten in the GTS category only by the lead factory-entered Corvette.
Gearbox issues forced the car’s retirement at Portland, while a suspension failure in practice prevented it from even qualifying at Mosport Park. The car’s final competitive outing came at Petit Le Mans, in September. There, Krohn enlisted former Le Mans and Daytona class winner, Scott Maxwell, and experienced GT racer, Joe Fox, as his co-drivers; the trio qualified 17th overall. Although mechanical maladies precluded them from taking the chequered flag in the 1,000-mile race, they had covered sufficient distance to be classified 21st overall, and 5th in the GTS field.
It is understood that chassis 1057 was sold to Malaysia-based Amprex Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2004 season, prior to returning to Reiter Engineering for a comprehensive rebuild over 2009 and 2010. At this point the car was dismantled while the carbon fibre bodyshell was stripped and refinished in its original livery. Its electrical and mechanical components were tested once the car was reassembled. The Lamborghini was subsequently acquired by the consigning owner in 2015, and has been used sparingly since.
Offering an irresistible combination of ALMS race history, spectacular performance, and that unmistakable V-12 soundtrack, chassis 1057 represents a highly competitive prospective entry into historic racing. The car’s eligibility for the burgeoning Endurance Racing Legends series, a shining light for the halcyon days of 1990s and 2000s prototype and GT racing, makes this Lamborghini especially appealing.
