Frank Biela (Infineon Audi R8 #1)
“After Le Mans, Mid-Ohio is just the opposite. The track is twisty, relatively
slow, but very demanding and hard for the drivers. If it is warm, it will be a
tough race. Last year, the R8 was good at Mid-Ohio. This year, we have
even more downforce, which should be an advantage at such a twisty track.
I can’t say much about Road America: I have never been there and I don’t
know the track, but it is said to be interesting, and I am happy with every
new circuit.”
Emanuele Pirro (Infineon Audi R8 #1)
“For me, Mid-Ohio and Road America are the nicest tracks on the ALMS
calendar, together with Laguna Seca. Frank and I are relatively far behind in
the points’ standings after the first two rounds. But last year, we saw, that
one should never give up and that things can still change in the end. But
when I am honest, I am supporting ‘Dindo’ in the fight for the title: he
wanted victory at Le Mans so badly and had deserved it, too. Maybe it works
out with the ALMS title.”
Rinaldo Capello (Infineon Audi R8 #2)
“Obviously, I was somewhat disappointed after the race in Le Mans, but
now, I am totally concentrating on the ALMS and I am looking forward to the
next races: Mid-Ohio and Road America are two very interesting tracks. In
Mid-Ohio, Tom and I still have unfinished business after our bad luck from
last year. I only know Road America from TV, but I really like what I have
seen there.”
Tom Kristensen (Infineon Audi R8 #2)
“Mid-Ohio is a relatively slow, twisty track, but it has many interesting
corners. I really like Mid-Ohio. Last year, I was on pole there. I am
especially looking forward to Road America. I don’t know the track yet, but
Jacques Villeneuve has told me that it is the best track in the United States.
And I my birthday is on raceday (July 7).”
Johnny Herbert (ADT Champion Audi R8 #38)
“I have to score points on a regular basis in order to defend my
championship lead. The works Audis and the Panoz will not be making life
easy for me in the next rounds. Without doubt, Champion Racing will be
providing me with a competitive car and the ALMS title is my clear goal. Last
year, I was only fifth in Mid-Ohio, this time, it has to be a podium finish.”
Stefan Johansson (ADT Champion Audi R8 #38)
“It is great news for me to drive for Champion Racing together with Johnny
because it is a step back for me into the Audi family. I always enjoyed
working with Audi. The R8 is the best racecar I ever drove. It was very
disappointing for me that I could not continue the Audi programme this year
with my own team after the European Le Mans Series was cancelled and
we did not get an invitation for Le Mans. So I am very pleased to be back.”
Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director Audi Sport North America
“In Mid-Ohio, we still have unfinished business. Last year, we were very
strong there and we should have won the race, but we didn’t… The track at
Mid-Ohio is great, a classic sports car track, that also pulls a good crowd.
Road America is even more impressive – just a great track with very fast
corners that require skill from the drivers. Joest Racing has fond memories
of Road America: we celebrated a double victory there back in 1992. None
of the current Audi drivers know Road America. But our drivers have proven
more than once that they can learn new tracks quickly.”
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport
“From now on, Johnny Herbert will be some kind of half-adversary: he
might be driving an Audi, but against our works-team. The title race in the
American Le Mans Series will be really exciting, also because of his new
team mate Stefan Johansson. But we shouldn’t underestimate Panoz
either: after their bad luck at Le Mans, they will be totally motivated. Of
course, the same applies to ‘Dindo’: because it didn’t work out for him at
Le Mans again, his goal now has to be the ALMS title. That ensures plenty
of excitement.”
|