German Car Scene

AUDI STRENGTHENS DRIVER SQUAD FOR “PETIT LE MANS”

Posted 20th September, 2008 in Audi | Leave a comment

Two of this year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race winners Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) strengthen the Audi driver squad at the 1000-mile race Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta (Georgia) on 4 October.

Audi is unbeaten to date in this classic US long-distance race. The Audi R8 won six times in succession between 2000 and 2005. In 2006 and 2007, Dindo Capello and Allan McNish triumphed with the Audi R10 TDI diesel-powered
sportscar.

On the first weekend in October, Capello and McNish compete together with the Italian Emanuele Pirro. The Audi R10 TDI with start number 2 is driven as usual by the two Germans Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner, who already clinched the LM P1 Drivers Championship in the American Le Mans Series 2008. The two Germans will attack the 1000-mile race at Road Atlanta without the support of a third driver.

This year we won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the American Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Series in Europe with the R10 TDI, says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. Obviously wed like to continue our winning streak in the American Le Mans Series most important race alongside Sebring. In the shape of Acura/Honda, Peugeot and Porsche we have very strong competitors, some of which have also strengthened their driving squad. Im convinced that we are
in a good position with our driver line-up.

Four of the five Audi drivers have already won the 1000-mile or maximum ten hour race at least once. With a total of four overall victories (2000, 2002, 2006 and 2007) Dindo Capello is the most successful Petit Le Mans driver. Allan McNish triumphed at Road Atlanta in 2000, 2006 and 2007, Emanuele Pirro 2001 and 2005, and Marco Werner 2004.

[Source: Audi]