Los Angeles - February 25, 2006
Two Audi R10 prototypes in the American Le Mans Series
The AUDI AG motorsport programme for the 2006 season extends
beyond the DTM and the 24 Hours of Le Mans: Audi will also contest the
American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with the new R10 diesel sportscar
during the second half of the season. As a result, Audi returns to the
world’s most popular sportscars series at a factory level.
The Audi R10, which is powered by a V12 TDI engine with almost 650 hp,
celebrates its eagerly awaited race debut on the 18 March at Sebring
(USA). The 12-hour race in Florida acts as a test race for the 24 Hours of
Le Mans on 17/18 June and is also the opening race of the 2006
American Le Mans Series, in which Audi Sport, Team Joest and
Champion Racing will cooperate closely.
Works comeback for Audi in the ALMS
After the premiere at Sebring the two Audi R10 prototypes will be flown
back to Europe to be prepared for the season’s highpoint at Le Mans on
June 17/18. Afterwards, Audi Sport North America will contest the
remaining six ALMS races, starting with the Grand Prix of Utah on 15 July
on the new circuit near Salt Lake City, with two R10 prototypes and the
support of Champion Racing.
At the three ALMS races between Sebring and Salt Lake City the Audi
Sport North America squad relies once again on the well proven Audi R8,
which has already recorded 61 wins from 77 races.
Audi have already competed with a factory team in the ALMS between
2000 and 2002. Audi of America continued its involvement in the following
three years with importer teams and celebrated sixth successive ALMS
championship titles.
"The main reason for developing the Audi R10 was to compete at the 24
Hours of Le Mans, as we want to be the world's first automobile
manufacturer to win with a diesel engine,” says Head of Audi Motorsport
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "From the very beginning it was however our
intention to enter the R10 in every racing series based on Le Mans. The
USA is an extremely important market in which the subject 'Diesel' is
currently coming in vogue. The ALMS programme with the R10 is an
excellent opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the Audi TDI
engines in America.”
Team from Audi Sport North America
"Audi of America is looking forward to our seventh season of participation
in the American Le Mans Series,” added Johan de Nysschen, executive
vice-president of Audi of America. "The R8 success was very instrumental
in building awareness for Audi technology and performance and we hope
the R10 will achieve the same success. With Audi Sport, Joest and
Champion we have the ideal partners for a successful season.”
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