Audi Joining The Battle At Road Atlanta

Setting up what is arguably the most anticipated North American endurance race in a generation, Audi will return to the American Le Mans Series in September in hopes of retaining its title at the 12th annual Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 at Road Atlanta. Audi Sport Team Joest confirmed Tuesday the entry of two Audi R15 TDI factory prototypes for the cornerstone event of the American Le Mans Series, a race the famed German marque has never lost since its inaugural appearance in 2000.

The annual 1,000-mile, 10-hour endurance classic is set for September 23-26 at the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Road Atlanta circuit in Braselton, Ga. Audi joins fellow diesel power and reigning 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Peugeot as well as ORECA as recently announcing their entries to Petit Le Mans.

“Without a doubt, the No. 1 question I have received this year from fans, media and even our competitors has been ‘Is Audi coming back this season?’ Now I can definitively and enthusiastically say, ‘Yes!’,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series.

“Audi’s confirmation of a two-car attack in defense of its titles at Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 sets up what will be one of the most anticipated sports car racing events ever in North America - and rightfully so,” he continued. “Remaining unbeaten at Road Atlanta will be a herculean task for Audi with the likes of regular American Le Mans Series competitors Patrón Highcroft Racing and de Ferran Motorsports with Acura, Intersport Racing and Corsa Motorsports among others whom will contend. Adding entries from Peugeot, ORECA and potentially additional high-profile teams and manufacturers from Europe makes the job that much tougher.

“When you take the overall grid for this race into consideration, without question it is one of the most diverse and competitive ever,” Atherton noted. “Petit Le Mans has produced some epic races in the past, but this one has all the makings of an all-time classic. Fans who attend this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle will not be disappointed.”

Allan McNish and Dindo Capello, winners at Road Atlanta each of the last three years, will drive one diesel-powered prototype. Marco Werner and Lucas Luhr, last year’s American Le Mans Series LMP1 champions will drive a second. Mike Rockenfeller will be a reserve driver for Audi Sport Team Joest.

“The race at Road Atlanta already marks the first part of our preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2010,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We want to use it as an opportunity for our engineers to learn even more about the new Audi R15 TDI in direct competition with strong rivals. A lot of things can be simulated on test rigs and in track tests. But nothing can replace the experience gathered in actual racing events.”

Petit Le Mans will mark Audi’s first race in North America since debuting the R15 with a stunning victory at the 57th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida over Peugeot’s two-car factory effort as well as a brace of Acura-supported entries. However, the brief experience with the new R15 TDI took its toll on Audi Sport Team Joest in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After five consecutive victories, Audi had to settle for third place at the French endurance classic this year behind two Peugeot diesels.

“We’re convinced that we weren’t able to fully exploit the potential of the R15 TDI at Le Mans,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “At Road Atlanta, we’ll have the opportunity to test on Sunday before the race so that we should be in a better position than we were at Le Mans. Despite the strong competition by Acura, Peugeot, Mazda, ORECA and other prototype teams we figure on having good chances of fighting for victory, as we did over the past few years.”

At the same time, Audi Sport will support the market launch of TDI technology in North America. The Audi Q7 TDI 3.0 has been available in the USA since the beginning of the year, and the Audi A3 TDI 2.0 will arrive at U.S. dealerships in fall.

From 2006 to 2008, Audi dominated the American Le Mans Series with the revolutionary R10 TDI and won the LMP1 driver and team championships three years in a row. The R10 TDI celebrated a total of 18 victories in the American Le Mans Series and thus paved the way for introducing TDI technology on the market in North America.

The competition at Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 has been extremely close recently. McNish and Capello won by a scant 0.923 seconds in 2007, and last year’s winning margin (with Emanuele Pirro) was a mere 4.512 seconds over Peugeot.

“I want to personally thank both Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America, and Dr. Ullrich for their involvement in this decision,” Atherton said. “I have been in constant contact with them all year - and this confirmation of their entry into Petit Le Mans makes it all worthwhile. The opportunity to have three great automobile manufacturers (Acura, Audi and Peugeot) square-off against each other in a 1,000-mile endurance race in the LMP1 category - with each bringing their own innovative technologies to the fight - makes this a ‘must see’ event for any racing enthusiast.”

Tickets for the 12th annual Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 are available by calling (800) 849-RACE or online at roadatlanta.com.