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Ricardo Gears Up for Audi Le Mans Challenge

11 April 2000

Ricardo Gears Up for Audi Le Mans Challenge RICARDO LOGO Ricardo, Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto)[KI] PLYMOUTH, MI USA 03/30/2000    

    BELLEVILLE, Mich., April 10 Ricardo is again the
technology partner for supplying a state-of-the-art transmission for Audi's R8
"open top" roadsters entered for the Le Mans 24-hour race in June.
    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000330/RICLOGO )
    The longitudinally installed six-speed transaxle with sequential gear
selection has benefited from lessons learnt in the grueling 1999 race, which
was Audi's first ever outing at Le Mans.  Although similar in concept, the
2000 transmission has had virtually every part re-designed to ensure optimum
performance for this year's race.  Working closely with the Audi team, Ricardo
engineers have also for the first time helped to design and produce the
gearbox casing.
    Last year saw the Audi team accomplish a credible 3rd and 4th place.
This year, the company has set even greater goals.  In addition to challenging
for the Le Mans 24-hour title, Audi has also for the first time entered the
American Le Mans Series (ALMS) championship starting with a magnificent 1-2
placing at the Sebring 12-hour endurance race in Florida on March 18.
    Last year Audi finished third and fifth in its maiden race at Sebring and
then went on to record its third and fourth places in the French "classic" --
the only two events contested by the company in 1999.
    "We are delighted to continue supporting Audi as they aim for even greater
achievements," said Mark Barge, Ricardo's director of motorsport.  "We faced
new and complex challenges this year including the need to reduce the overall
weight of the transmission and casings, but were able to meet Audi's targets
by using advanced 'optimization' software and cutting-edge transmission
technology."
    The Audi transmissions and casings are being engineered, manufactured and
hand assembled at Ricardo's Midlands Technical Center in Leamington Spa, UK.
    Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Sport comments: "Our entry for the
first time ever for the entire ALMS championship series will seriously test
the R8's performance and endurance capabilities.  However we want to achieve a
place in the top three.  The efficiency and durability of the transmission,
therefore, is of real importance to our success."
    The new R8 is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter V8 engine
producing around 610-bhp.