Whilst the R8C was designed using state-of-the-art CAD software, the restraints in timescale meant that most of the pattern work for the body was undertaken by hand using traditional wood-working tools. It has been said that the Audi R8C is possibly the last ever racing car produced by a major manufacturer that employed this time-honored method. With a very steep learning curve to climb in such a short period, much of the assembly and construction work was carried out by the mechanics that would run the two R8Cs at Le Mans. This job fell to the Buckingham based Audi Sport UK team who had run the very successful A4 touring car program.

In March whilst RTN were still struggling to get the R8C ready for testing, the two Ingolstadt-built R8Rs took part in the Sebring 12 Hours race in Florida run by the Joest squad who would also run the cars at Le Mans. The Alboreto/Capello/Johansson car came home in a promising third place and the team remained at Sebring the following day, completing another 12 hours of testing at the unforgiving circuit.