Audi TDI racer triumphs at Le Mans

Audi made history at the weekend by winning the gruelling Le Mans 24 hour race with a diesel powered car.

Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner took first place, with another Audi also on the podium taking third place overall. The pair of R10 TDI cars develop a staggering 650 bhp and it showed on the track, with Danish driver Tom Kristensen setting the fastest lap of the race.

The Audis also had an advantage over the petrol cars with its superior fuel economy (meaning far fewer pit stops). The only major hiccup came when one of the cars had trouble finding fifth gear. This was remedied by changing the gear cluster, in under ten minutes!

Doctor Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport) thanked the entire Audi team for their input, adding ‘We knew how big the challenge was, to win with a diesel engine. Le Mans always harbours surprises that cannot be simulated on a test track or test bed.”

[Source: The Auto Channel]