Friday 27th April 2012

Audi Writers and Racers evening

PH's hangover clears - finally - and memories of an epic evening of racing banter emerge

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The prospect of spending an evening with 10 of the world's most famous racing drivers together with the race engineers responsible for this year's Audi Le Mans cars, including Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi AG Motorsport, and dinner at Goodwood House, meant this was one invitation we simply couldn't refuse.

The real Stig in an E2 Sport Quattro at Goodwood

This was the annual Audi Writers and Racers bash, where PH found itself seated between two living legends, Stig Blomqvist and Harald Demuth. Seizing the opportunity, we asked Harald who was the better driver, him or Stig (they competed against each other in the 80s). Harald reckoned, in his opinion, Stig was the best all-round driver of his day. Stig disagreed, saying that Harald was much better than him. It was only after the 1982 and '84 German Rally winner pointed out that Stig had more silverware than him, including the 1984 World Rally Championship drivers' title, did Blomqvist reluctantly concede that, perhaps, he might have been a little more successful. "But Harald was the best on tarmac", the Swede added.

To start the proceedings off, we were given a sneak preview to a soon-to-be released film on the Audi campaign in 2011 Le Mans. It's one of the best short car films we've ever watched. Trust us here, it's proper motorsport form!

McNish and Kristensen with new boy Jarvis

With so many people to glean soundbites from it was difficult to know who to speak to first. There was much regaling of past glories, monumental crashes and tales of other racing drivers' misdemeanours - we did hear one wonderful story which, and not going into too much detail, involved the late James Hunt, a blonde, a pub car park and a sexual act. With the wine flowing even more freely the formality of the evening became a much more casual affair and tongues probably wagged more than they should have.

Elsewhere in the room, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen could be found chatting with other past Le Mans champs like Richard Attwood and Mark Blundell. They seemed to be taking great delight in ribbing newcomer Oliver Jarvis over his age and if he has started shaving yet. He was probably the youngest in the room - by at least a decade - but he does come with an impressive race CV. Which is why he's been picked to drive the R18 e-tron Quattro in this year's race.

And that's the real reason why we were gathered altogether, to give us a chance to get up close and personal with the machines and people who have been pivotal in Audi's meteoric rise to the top of the 24-hour endurance race. Tributes were also paid to the achievements of the Audi technicians, the unsung heroes who are equally as important to any winning team as the drivers. A special acknowledgement was made to Leena Gade in becoming, last year, the first female engineer to head a winning Le Mans team.

Before we knew it, the evening was drawing to a close and we were left praying that when Audi do send out next year's invitations they won't forget us.

 

[M666 EVO]

Some nice box arches on that there Audi

Oh sorry, wrong thread

[Jerry Can]

any chance you could provide names for the top photo.

i think it is

from L to R

James Weaver, Andy Wallace, Harald Demuth, Mark Blundell, Stig Blomqvist, Allan McNish, ??, Oliver Jarvis, Tom Kristensen, ??, Nick Mason, Lord March, Leena Gade, Dr Ulrich

thanks

Edited by Jerry Can on Friday 27th April 07:05

[RJames]

To the right of Allan is Howden Haynes, Race Engineer for the Allan, TK & Dindo car. I see they conveniently put him behind the others as he has no jacket.

[450Nick]

Lucky Barstewards!

[lgomgf]

Sometimes I envy you guys, in a good way...

BTW I was in Ingolstadt last year and I saw a couple of the Le Mans cars, I think was the original R8 and one of the R10s if I can recall and these cars are just gorgeous.

[Dr G]

450Nick said:

Lucky Barstewards!

I was going to say that

I've only met Mr McNish very, very briefly at a dinner but he does come across as a very interesting fellow to chat with over a few.

[predding]

Half your luck - thats all I can say...Was at the Motorsport magazine eveing last year at Audi West London and was similar event with H and Leena Gade - very nice evening but this would have been even better. McHish always good value. Can you send me tickets for yr next one, thanks :-)