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Audi Sport North America made history … (http://www.sebringraceway.com/12hour.lasso)

Sebring Raceway 03/20/2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Audi_R10_Leader.jpg

Sebring, Fla. - Audi Sport North America made history Saturday as the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI of Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The new prototype is the first diesel car in the world to win a major sports car race.

It was the type of debut Audi was hoping for in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The German manufacturer used Sebring as a test for the most prestigious sports car race in the world, set for June 17-18.

The No. 2 Audi won the opening race of the 2006 American Le Mans Series by three laps over Intersport Racing's No. 37 Lola B05/40-AER. After winning the pole position, the No. 2 car had to have its heat exchanger switched before the race and had to start the race from pit lane and in 34th position. But by the two-hour mark, the pole-sitting car had moved back into the lead when the No. 1 sister car had to pit.

"We had our share of trouble today, but that's natural in development," said McNish, who won for the second time in three years at Sebring. "This was the first real endurance test. We encountered trouble but nothing we couldn't overcome. The engineers did a great job preparing for things that could go wrong. The car's rhythm was really good. It was fun to really blast the car around the track."

Kristensen gave the No. 2 car the lead for good when Marco Werner, driving with defending Series champions Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro in the No. 1 Audi R10 TDI, pulled the car into the garage just shy of the four-hour mark. Shortly thereafter, the car was retired due to overheating.

That left Kristensen, Capello and McNish to comfortably run out front. Kristensen added yet another record to his already impressive résumé. He now has four overall wins at Sebring, the most in the race's 54-year history. He also has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record seven times, including the last six in a row.

"Today you can say Audi brought out a car that isn't a test car, but close to it," Kristensen said. "This engine was only white paper a few months ago. I'm pleased to be part of the headlines today.

"This project has been a lot of motivation for Le Mans," he added. "There will be tests that will go on Monday. There's a lot to improve, mostly small details. But those will make us more confident. There are cars that will be at Le Mans that are not here today, but we'll be watching the tape very carefully." …

Audi USA (http://www.audiusa.com/)

The Audi R10 TDI® – poised to change the reputation of diesel forever – was the overall winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring in its debut. The success of the Audi R10 TDI® comes after six straight victories at Sebring by the gasoline-powered Audi R8 with FSI® Direct Injection technology. The Audi R10 TDI® is the first diesel-powered car ever to win at Sebring, thanks in part to the powerful efficiency of TDI® Direct Injection. Now, it’s on to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it will attempt another diesel first.

I watched that on TV Wayne. It was a very fast car. Wasnt there a diesel prototype at Le Mans last year that kept ripping the clutch out and had thermal issues. Cant remember who fielded that car.

Good showing by Audi. Now if they could make a street car that wouldnt spend more time in the shop than on the road. Like to see the Auto Union Blood flowing thru Audi's veins. :)

Hi Psy:

___I have a decent number of pics to pull off the digital camera that should be better then the one I pulled from both Audi and from Sebring itself. That Audi was not only fast as ****, it was literally silent. You simply heard a wooooosh and she was gone. Because of the R10’s performance, it was so far out in front of the Lola’s that its driver was on fast cruise for the latter 1/4 of the race. If you ever have the chance to see the R10 in action, do it. It is incredible to see a car moving so fast and all you basically hear is wind w/ a small amount of mechanicals in the background! I would like to see racing head this way myself as it was actually enjoyable not having to wear hearing protection from the whine and pounding cacophony of every other car on the track. Not that the Aston Martin DB10’s, the Vette’s, and the Panoz’ automobiles didn’t have a unique and thrilling sound, after about an hour, it wears on you unlike the Audi R10’s.

___I do not know if you read about the second R10 DNF’ing? That did not look good but at least they had 1 car take the checkered. Bill, Cynthia, Gary, and myself were just outside the Audi tent when they decided to pull her from the competition. All we heard was a cooling problem which may have meant a cracked block as they can replace just about everything else?

___It was interesting to see the Panoz team being not only competitive but actually taking the Porsche’s down a notch. After 11.5 hours, there was a caution on the track which brought the entire field back together. The last 30 minutes had the Porsche and Panoz cars neck and neck which led to both running at their limits right up until the checkered flag. Excellent racing if I do say so myself.

___About the second CI-ICE at LeMan’s last year … I am not the guy to ask but Bill would know. I hope we see him pop up over here tonight or tomorrow to answer your question directly.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hello Psy, no, I don't think there was a diesel @ Lemans last year. Back in the mid 1990's there were a couple of attempts similar to what you say, but not last year.

Last Saturday was a lot of fun. For sure the Audi R-10 is an amazing technical acheivement. Like Wayne said, the thing was so quiet, there was only silence as it approached. Then a wooooosh, with a faint turbo whine and a little tire or road noise.........that was it. It's suspension, aerodynamics, and brakes are all state of the art world-beaters. Few cars were even close to being as smooth and fast around the corners.

South Florida was warm & sunny, and sunscreen was a requisite for us northerners. Gary G was great to be with and he was generous in sharing the driving experience of his FEH; I had fun and learned something.

For Excel, I am pleased you made it home safely. Thanks for hanging out with me & Cindy. We enjoyed being with you. I hope you had some tailwinds and got better mpg on the return. Talk with you later, Bill....