Audi R10: Third start, third pole!

The Audi R10 continues to perform.

The new Audi R10 TDI remains the sportscar to beat at its first race after its historic victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans: The two diesel sportscars of Frank Biela (Germany) and Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and their team-mates, Allan McNish (Scotland) and Dindo Capello (Italy), start the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series in Salt Lake City (US state Utah) from the front row once again.

Allan McNish initially claimed the fastest lap with a time of 2mins 22.109secs in the 20-minute qualifying session for the "Utah Grand Prix" at the Miller Motorsports Park. Shortly before the end of qualifying, the Scotsman bettered his quickest time (2m 21.762s) only for team-mate Frank Biela to eclipse it seconds later with a 2m 21.553s and clinch for himself and co-driver Emanuele Pirro pole position for the race that starts on Saturday at 18:00hrs local time (Sunday 02:00hrs German time).

The diesel-powered sportscar of Audi proves itself in the desert of Utah in extreme conditions: With outside temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, the Audi R10 TDI is competing in intense heat and extremely high terrain.

In the 2hr 45mins race on Saturday, the drivers will await another true test under tough conditions: The completely new racetrack, built approximately 30 miles west of Salt Lake City and staging an international race for the first time, is difficult and demanding. The Audi drivers have had just three and a half hours of free practice on Thursday and Friday to learn the 4.5 miles (7.242 kilometre) circuit before the race, the longest permanent racetrack in North America.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi R10

Source: PR Newswire, picture by Audi

Audi R10: Third start, third pole!

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