Audi increse LMP1 involvment
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Audi opts for new prototype racing series
Two Audi R15 TDI cars in the new “Le Mans Intercontinental Cup”
Three prototypes in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours
Clear commitment to the DTM – customer sport with the Audi R8 LMS
Ingolstadt, December 8, 2009 – In 2010, the DTM, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the customer sport program with the Audi R8 LMS will again be the three cornerstones of AUDI AG’s motorsport commitment. By participating in the inaugural "Le Mans Intercontinental Cup" Audi has opted for a new, forward-thinking racing series in which alternative drive concepts will be used.
"In 2009, the Audi brand has been celebrating its 100th anniversary and our motorsport squad presented the brand with a particularly nice birthday gift, the successful title defense in the DTM," says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Management Board of AUDI AG. "Audi Sport has been a guarantor of successes in motorsport for as many as 30 years now – successes which are of major importance to the development of the Audi brand."
In the 2010 season, Audi will again rely on motorsport categories that are very closely related to production vehicles: the DTM with the top-selling Audi A4, customer sport with the immediately successful Audi R8 LMS, and the sports prototypes with the Audi R15 TDI that has primarily been subjected to further aerodynamic development and bears the internal model designation "R15 plus" at Audi Sport.
The prototype commitment is of particular importance to Audi because this category makes it possible to field alternative power-train concepts and technologies. "In 2001, at Le Mans, we used a TFSI engine for the first time that has since become standard in production vehicles," comments Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "In 2006, we were the first automobile manufacturer in history to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel-powered vehicle. And in the future we will use our LMP1 cars to test pioneering technologies and to underscore our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ claim also on the race track. Therefore, we welcome greatly the fact that the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has announced the first international racing series for LMP1 vehicles. We are convinced that this motorsport category, which is particularly attractive from the perspective of technology, has prospects for a great future and fits our times well."
Inaugural Le Mans Intercontinental Cup
In the future, the so-called "Le Mans Intercontinental Cup" will consist of the major races of the Le Mans Series in Europe, the USA and Asia and aims to continue the heyday of the legendary World Championship for Makes. In its debut year in 2010, the 1000-kilometer race at Silverstone (Great Britain), the "Petit Le Mans" race at Road Atlanta (USA) and an event on the Asian continent. Further races are to be added in 2011.
Audi will contest the new Le Mans Intercontinental Cup in the 2010 season with two R15 TDI cars fielded by Audi Sport Team Joest. Three cars are planned for the 24-hour race at Le Mans on June 12/13. Audi Sport Team Joest plans also to contest the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), which Audi would like to use as a dress rehearsal for Le Mans, with three cars.
another Link - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80496
Will be nice to see the LMP series growing!
chevronb37 said:
Look forward to seeing the R15s at Silverstone.
+1And if Audi are out to play, hopefully Peugeot will make an appearance too.
I have to say, I don't envy Peugeot this year, especially at Le Mans. I'm pretty sure Audi are going all out to try and dominate this year, and while others may sniff at their achievements, I really think they are a proper bunch of racers.
Anyone who hasn't seen Truth in 24 should check it out - really interesting insight into how the Audi team operates.
Nick M said:
I have to say, I don't envy Peugeot this year, especially at Le Mans. I'm pretty sure Audi are going all out to try and dominate this year, and while others may sniff at their achievements, I really think they are a proper bunch of racers.
Anyone who hasn't seen Truth in 24 should check it out - really interesting insight into how the Audi team operates.
I think Peugeot will sneak it again this year (as much as I hate to say it). 2011 however when the new regs come into force, will, I think, be the start of another period of Audi dominance. 2010 will be close, but I don't think the R15 is quite there.Anyone who hasn't seen Truth in 24 should check it out - really interesting insight into how the Audi team operates.
The R15 was quick at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, but didn't quite have the Peugeot's pace at La Sarthe. If they can develop the car comprehensively following the latest rules clarification over their front aero, I think they'll have the legs over the 908s. The Peugeot is an old design now, let's not forget. I hope the equivalency rules allow ORECA/Pescarolo/Aston/Zytek/Acura to compete in the shorter races. Sounds like we might've seen the last of the LMP1 Acura for now. Shame.
I think the Audi still has some big issues with picking up rubbish from the circuit, amongst other things, and the clarification of the front aero may not help them there. It's a fantastic piece of clever design, but I don't think it had enough of a development phase to make all the clever bits work properly, especially at Le Mans.
I believe the Acura chassis may still race, just not under the Acura name. I do hope it does as it is a great car.
I believe the Acura chassis may still race, just not under the Acura name. I do hope it does as it is a great car.
chevronb37 said:
The R15 was quick at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, but didn't quite have the Peugeot's pace at La Sarthe. If they can develop the car comprehensively following the latest rules clarification over their front aero, I think they'll have the legs over the 908s. The Peugeot is an old design now, let's not forget. I hope the equivalency rules allow ORECA/Pescarolo/Aston/Zytek/Acura to compete in the shorter races. Sounds like we might've seen the last of the LMP1 Acura for now. Shame.
I think the comment at the time of Sebring was that the R15 had been designed with the ALMS in mind, but the plug had been pulled on that programme.Peugeot definitely seems to have more all-out grunt and less drag, which apparently is why it was so much quicker at Le Mans. But at Petit Le Mans they looked a lot slower than the R15s.
Fingers crossed Audi can develop the car a bit more this season and make a proper race of it again.
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