New Lamborghini GT3 begins testing

The new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 racer developed in-house by the Italian manufacturer's new motorsport department has hit the racetrack.

The Huracan was put through its paces by test drivers Adrian Zaugg and Fabio Babini at Vallelunga last week and will continue running through to the end of the year when the construction of the first customer cars will begin in time for next season. Giorgio Sanna, who heads up the Lamborghini Squadra Corse motorsport department established last year, expressed himself satisfied with the three-day test.

"We still have plenty of work to do to be ready for the upcoming season, but performance and reliability feedback is encouraging," he said.

The test took place in secret and so far Lamborghini has only released teaser shots of the V10-powered car.

Development of the GT3 has been supported by Italian motorsport specialist Dallara, while a spokesman for Lamborghini stressed that the racing Huracan was being developed independently of the forthcoming second-generation Audi R8 racer, which shares its structure and drivetrain with the Lambo.

Lamborghini plans to run a factory-backed team in the Blancpain Endurance Series next year to showcase the Huracan. It is believed that the German Reiter team, which developed and built the Murcielago GT3 with Lamborghini's approval, is in the running to get the deal.

Lamborghini plans to build 26 cars for next season and priority will be given to teams wanting to race in the BES and elsewhere in Europe. It is likely that Zaugg, Babini and members of Lamborghini's young driver program will be placed with the factory-backed team and customer squads racing the Huracan in 2015.