Audi Withdraws from American Le Mans Series in 2009
by Thami Masemola December 5, 2008 4:30 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Motorsport
With Audi streamlining its racing priorities into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, DTM and GT3, there isn't any more space for other racing formulae. So Audi has taken the decision not to have a factory team in the American Le Mans Series in 2009.
A statement issued by Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich reads as thus: "The decision to withdraw was a very difficult one also for these reasons. Furthermore, with the Champion racing team we also had a partner that operates at the highest level. The extraordinary dedication and precision of Team Champion was the key to Audi's victories over the last few years in America. We achieved an unprecedented winning series together. Since the 2000 season Audi has won the LMP1 title nine-times in succession in this high-calibre sportscar championship. Our brand dominated proceedings last season by taking seven wins in eleven races. TDI in racing supported the market launch of Audi TDI technology in the USA perfectly."
There goes the theory of Audi going into Formula One within the next couple of years. Not all the news is bad however, for American fans, for they will witness the debut of the brand spanking new R15 TDI at the 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida in March 2009. The race will put the new car through enough paces to see how well it might fare during 24 Hour Le Mans 2009.
The Audi brand has been part of the American Le Mans Series since the year 2000.
Audi concentrates its motorsport programmes for the 2009 season on the new R15 TDI sport prototype for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the re-worked racing touring car A4 DTM and the newly developed R8 LMS for customer use in the GT3 class. Audi will not be represented by its factory team Audi Sport North America in the American Le Mans Series in 2009.
As a result of its newly aligned motorsport programme Audi offers its motorsport customers a bespoke vehicle concept for the first time: Audi Sport developed the new R8 LMS specifically to suit the user-friendly and cost-effective requirements in the production-based GT3 class in international motorsport. The powerful 500 hp plus race car based on the Audi R8 is due to be delivered in order to prove itself on track throughout the 2009 season.
The American Le Mans Series involvement will not be continued. Audi entered the American Le Mans Series in the year 2000 and has been instrumental in building up this championship ever since. The championship developed to become one of the most fascinating motorsport series within a few years, which offered and still offers the ever increasing fan community exciting motorsport. The ALMS is also recognised internationally and is regarded as the world's best sportscar championship.
"The decision to withdraw was a very difficult one also for these reasons. Furthermore, with the Champion racing team we also had a partner that operates at the highest level. The extraordinary dedication and precision of Team Champion was the key to Audi's victories over the last few years in America. We achieved an unprecedented winning series together. Since the 2000 season Audi has won the LMP1 title nine-times in succession in this high-calibre sportscar championship. Our brand dominated proceedings last season by taking seven wins in eleven races. TDI in racing supported the market launch of Audi TDI technology in the USA perfectly," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich positively of the AUDI AG involvement in the ALMS.
Even though AUDI AG concentrates its factory involvement at European venues throughout the 2009 season in these economically tough times, the American motorsport friends will be treated to a premiere: The completely newly developed Audi R15 TDI sports prototype should make its debut on 21 March 2009 during the 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida (USA). This international sportscar classic, which should be contested by Audi Sport Team Joest, is traditionally regarded as excellent preparation and final test-race for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France). At the same time, the race at Sebring with its special demands made of man and machine guarantees excellent motorsport.
Audi has pioneered diesel development worldwide. The U.S. government,fuel suppliers and Detroit automakers ignored the benefits of clean diesel. A bailout for their incompetence will only prolong the worldwide recession! Reaping what was sown,Audi thrives and Detroit dies,sad but appropriate!
See all the more reason to enter F1 Dr Wolfgang is just sitting around twidling his thumbs before F1 gets rid of Petrol then we're in lol. They'll win the championship in the first year thanks to they're amazing team and TDI development
