Thanks to the people over at Quattroworld, we're able to bring you the first picture of the Audi R8 LMS Ultra. Set to begin testing next month, the customer-spec R8 GT racer is powered by that always wonderful V10 with 570hp. Along with some added safety features, it's also lighter and better balanced than the standard R8 road car. Painted with a big Texas star plastered on the front hood, the rest of the car features a Red, White and Blue wrapping.

But perhaps the most interesting thing about the racer is the fact that its engine is exactly the same as that in the road car. What this means is that Audi engineers have built such an incredible engine from the start, there's no need for a rebuild. All they need to do is an exhaust change and a few other minor mods such as a slight ECU adjustment (which only takes a few minutes) and the car is ready for the track. We'll be seeing this patriotic R8 at the Daytona International Speedway for its Grand-Am test days on January 6th and 7th. It'll be hitting the track for real shortly thereafter to take part in the GT class in Grand-Am.