Audi 90 GTO (A90)

The Audi 90 GTO may not have won any championships, but it won plenty of races and left an indelible imprint on the American racing scene.

When all-wheel drive technology was banned by the SCCA after the production-based Audi 200 dominated the 1988 Trans-Am Series, the German automaker turned its focus to the rival IMSA GTO Series. As the IMSA GTO regulations were more conducive to cutting-edge technology, Audi developed a full-fledged race car from scratch. The resulting Audi 90 GTO featured a steel, tubular space-frame, double wishbone suspension with coil springs, ventilated discs brakes all 'round and, of course, Audi's signature Quattro all-wheel drive system. Power was supplied by a five cylinder, 2190 ccm engine equipped with a KKK turbocharger.

With Hurley Haywood and Hans Stuck at the wheel (joined by Scott Goodyear and World Rally Champion Walter Röhrl on long distance events) the Audi 90 dominated the IMSA GTO competition . . . once it got going. After skipping the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring and failing to finish in their debut at the Miami street race, the Audi was nearly unbeatable as Stuck won seven times in the remaining nine races (teaming with Rohrl at Watkins Glen) with Haywood providing no fewer than five one-two finishes (with Goodyear on board at Watkins Glen). However, given the fact that the opposition effectively enjoyed a three race head start, Stuck and Audi finished second in the drivers and manufacturers point standings to Pete Halsmer and the Mercury Cougar XR7. Subsequently, Audi turned its attention to the German Production Car championship (forerunner to today's German Touring Car championship or DTM), winning the 1990 and '91 manufacturers championships with Stuck and Frank Biela taking the drivers titles.