Audi R8: Faces new challenges

Although Audi drivers Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro wrapped up the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) drivers’ championship with a race to spare after winning at Road Atlanta, and only a small miracle can prevent Audi from winning its sixth consecutive manufacturers’ championship, the final of the US sportscar series in Laguna Seca (California) promises to be a real thriller: For the first time ever the Audi R8, the most successful Le Mans Prototype ever, comes face to face with the new Porsche RS Spyder.

The factory Porsche is the first car to be purpose built and developed by an automobile manufacturer to suit the new Sports Prototype regulations. Because it competes in the LM P2 class it is allowed to weigh 150 kilograms less than the multiple winning Audi R8 (class: LM P1), which has won 61 of its 74 races to date. In return, the Turbo FSI engine propelling the R8 has approximately 70 hp more power – and is still the only racing engine with direct fuel injection.

The two Audi R8 prototypes racing for the American Audi customer team ADT Champion Racing must not only overcome the very real threat from the new Porsche, but the Dyson team’s two Lolas and the British Zytek prototype are regarded as possible winners at the demanding circuit close to Monterey. The Audi R8 remains unbeaten at Laguna Seca since its first race there in the 2000 season. In spite of the strong competition Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro and JJ Lehto/Marco Werner will do everything in their powers to ensure that it remains just so.

Lehto/Werner are three points behind Lola driver Chris Dyson going into the finale and have a great chance of taking the runner-up spot in the championship. Audi only needs a single point to take the manufacturers’ crown. The race starts at Laguna Seca on Saturday, 15 October at 3:15 p.m. local time.

GermanCarBlog, Audi R8

Source: Fourtitude

Labels: Audi