First glimpse of the full 2012 spec Audi R18 e-tron and ultra

By Johan Laubscher

The first photos of the full 2012 specification Audi R18 race car models have surfaced on the internet. The new R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra. A week ahead of the debut of the two new cars and fans are now able to see them in detail. There are clear visual changes to the cars. Most notably the new front headlights, various aerodynamic and small layout changes. The cars will debut next weekend at Spa, round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The cars look awesome and we cannot wait to see them at Spa and then onwards to Le Mans.

The photo are by the official Audi Sport press

More Information:

The official Audi Sport Facebook page

Truth in 24 II - First Trailer

By Johan Laubscher

The first trailer of the new Truth in 24 II film is online at the Audi USA website. It seems that they are busy setting up the Truth in 24 II section on their website. The various links relating to the film are in place, including a link to download the film from iTunes. Don’t get too excited yet, the links are dead links at the moment, giving 404 cannot find errors. However the fact that the website is being prepared is good news, it means the launch of the film cannot be too far away.

Technicalities aside, we do have a trailer to watch and it gives us enough of a taste to just be even more excited and anticipate the launch of the film much more.

Enjoy the trailer, and good luck with the wait for the the film, I know that I certainly cannot wait for the launch of the film…

Watch the Trailer HERE

Truth in 24 II - the sequel of all sequels

By Johan Laubscher

For Audi and die hard motorsport fans alike the movie “Truth in 24” stands out as one of the best motorsport films made to date. It was a film which documented the first half of the 2008 season for Audi’s Le Mans sportscar program. It followed all the processes of the Audi team’s preparation and finally covered the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours as well. The film successfully captured the spirit of Le Mans and portrayed the up and down emotional rollercoaster of the legendary race. The film was produced by InterSports and NFL Films and the American version had non-other than Transporter film series and Audi driving star, Jason Statham for the commentary of the film.

Le Mans 2008

This film, which was the brainchild of Audi America was brilliant. I was lucky enough to be at Le Mans in 2008 and I can personally vouch for this movie. The emotion portrayed was real, the tension of the battle was seen on every spectator. The race was dubbed: “The race of the decade” because of the David versus Goliath fight between the new faster Peugeot and the older Audi R10 TDI. I clearly remember when the rain started falling at about 3am local time, and a smile formed on my face knowing that the race for Audi had just begun. The next two hours saw Mr Le Mans, Tom Kristensen real in Jacques Villeneuve on the increasingly wet track, watching on the timing screens as the gap diminished. In the film that period is perfectly portrayed and it felt like I was reliving those two hours. The film was beyond breathtaking, I had tears in my eyes when the race finished live at the track and I had tears in my eyes again at the end of the film.

The film was clearly one of the best ever in this genre and many people share my feelings regarding the film. Thus it is clear that with the announcement that a sequel has been planned comes much excitement and anticipation. Audi fans will once again be treated to a great documentary, and with the prospect of watching an Audi film based on the 2011 Le Mans is something to look forward to. 2011 was one of the best Le Mans races in history with the battle for the win going straight to the line with only 13.8 seconds separating the top two places.

More information will soon be available at www.truth-in-24.com. At the moment the website only has the red image bellow, but the “coming soon” is consolation enough to the fact that we will be treated to yet another world class film production. The wait until the film's release seems almost unbearable.

Here are some great youtube videos from Truth in 24 "1"

Truth in 24 “1” – 30 second trailer

Truth in 24 “1” – 60 second trailer

Truth in 24: The Back Story by Garage419 and Matt Farah

Truth in 24 “1” (Full length film)

"24 Hours of Audi" : Shakedown great coverage to Audi tests at Sebring

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi won the 60th 12 Hours of Sebring, a great 1-2 victory with the "old" Audi R18 TDI. Right after the endurance classic, Audi Sport Team Joest spent some times testing their new weapons. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the Audi R18 ultra. New LMP1 challengers for both Le Mans 24 Hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Shakedown was there too, and they did a great coverage for these private Audi tests. including interviews with Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich head of Audi Motorsport. Allan McNish the 2012 Sebring 12 hour overall winner and Ulrich Baretsky  head of engine development at Audi Sport. A brilliant report worth to watch, waiting the two cars debut at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, round 2 of WEC.

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich talks to AudiWorld.com about Audi new R18 e-tron quattro an R18 Ultra

AudiWorld.com interviewd Dr. Worlfgang Ullrich at Sebring. The head of Audi Motorsport talking about new technologies and the brand new challengers for Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the Audi R18 ultra. Have a look.

Audi 1-2 Victory: 12 Hours of Sebring 2012 Race Highlights

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi got a nice 1-2 victory at the 60th edition of the 12 Hours of Sebring. That was the 10th overall win for the Audi brand in Florida's classic. The #2 Audi R18 TDI crossing the finish line victorious with drivers Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen. In second the sister #2 and drivers Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Loic Duval. Highlights of Sebring event, the first race ever of the brand new FIA World Endurance Championship.

Audi Wins the 12 Hours of Sebring 2012

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi has just clinched its tenth outright victory at Sebring. A great 1-2 win for Audi Sport Team Joest at the 60th edition of the Florida classic. 

The winning car is the #2 Audi R18 TDI with drivers Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen. In a strong second place was the sister #3 Audi driven by Loic Duval, Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard. Bad luck for the #1 Audi which faced problems earlier in the race while it leading outright. The car finished in 6th place in LMP1 class and was shared by 2011 Le Mans winners Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer.

Audi Sport Team Joest entered the Sebring event with last year’s specification Audi R18 TDI and the cars raced with an extra +15kgs weight penalty. Audi faced a very big field with a +60 car grid from both WEC regulars and ALMS teams. The race saw too many crashes and full course cautions, making it very hard for the Audis in the traffic. Opposition only came from the privateer HPD Honda teams. Despite the opposition the Audi cars were dominant during the whole race. The #2 Audi R18 and the sister #3 car switched positions for the overall lead during every pit stop. In the end it was the #2 car crossing the finish line victorious, and the #3 car in second with 4 laps down. The # 44 HPD ARX-03b of team Starworks Motorsport got third overall winning the LMP2 class.

This is the sixth outright victory for Mr. Le Mans Tom Kristensen, the fifth for Dindo Capello and the fourth for Allan McNish. The "Old Warriors" have already won the 12 Hours of Sebring together twice before, in 2006 with the Audi R10 TDI and in 2009 with the Audi R15 TDI.

This Sebring victory is the first for Audi Sport Team Joest since the year 2009. A historical victory as well, being the first ever race of the brand new FIA World Endurance Championship. The next round of the WEC will be the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where the brand new Audi e-tron quattro will debut.

12 Hours of Sebring 2012 podium : Audi Sport Team Joest 1-2 victory

Start of the 12 Hours of Sebring 2012

#3 Audi R18 TDI into the night at Sebring

Audi 9 Overall Victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring

By Tarek Ramchani

Since the debut of the Audi sportscar program with Le Mans prototypes, the German brand has always competed at the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring

It all started back in 1999, with the all new Audi R8R. The car didn't win but took an honourable third overall. A year later, Audi's Sebring winning legacy started with the Audi R8. The car gave Audi six straight outright wins at Florida's classic from 2000 to 2005. In 2006 a brand new car and new technology debuted at Sebring, the Audi R10 TDI. The car was immediately victorious, winning the race in both 2006 and 2007. The last ever win for Audi at Sebring dates back to 2009 with the Audi R15 TDI. The Audi R18 will try this year to bring Audi its tenth overall victory in the prestigious endurance race, second only worldwide to Le Mans.

Here is a complete round up of the nine outright victories of the Audi brand at Sebring.

2000:
The race debut of the legendary Audi R8. Two cars entered the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2000. With strong competition coming from Panoz and mainly from the 1999 Le Mans winners BMW with their V12 LMR. Audi won the race with a fantastic 1-2 victory for Audi Sport Team Joest. The winning drivers were Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Tom Kristensen. Second and finishing on the lead lap, the #77 Audi R8 with Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Rinaldo Capello.

2001:
For 2001, no less than four Audi R8 cars entered the 12 Hours of Sebring. Two fielded by the factory Audi Sport Team Joest and the others were privately run cars from Champion Racing and Johansson Motorsport. A stunning 1-2-3-4 Audi win. Victory went to the #1 Audi R8 driven by Dindo Capello, Laurent Aiello and the late Michele Alboreto. Again the sister car finished on the lead lap, the #2 Audi of Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Tom Kristensen.

2002:
The 2002 race was the final one for Audi as a full factory team with the Audi R8. Three cars entered the race. Two fielded by Audi Sport Team Joest and the third a privateer car from the American team, Champion Racing. The Audis battled with each other, but also had to attend to the strong Panoz team and the growing competitors of Team Cadillac. After a much fought race, victory went to the #2 Audi in hands of Dindo Capello, Christian Pescatori and Johnny Herbert. The #38 Champion Racing car finished in a strong second place, a lap behind the winning car, with drivers Andy Wallace, Jan Lammers and Stefan Johansson.

2003:
The 2003 season and a new era for the Audi R8. With the full factory Audi Sport program being over, all the teams were privateers on both sides of the Atlantic. For the 12 Hours of Sebring three Audi R8 cars were entered. Team Joest. Champion Racing and Audi Sport UK each fielding a single car. The factory Team Bentley also entered the race with their new Speed 8 GTPs. After a titanic battle between Joest Racing and Champion Racing, the German team was victorious. The #1 Audi R8 took race win with drivers Frank Biela, Marko Werner and Philip Peter. The #38 Champion R8 finished in second on the lead lap with Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto and Stefan Johansson.

2004:
For 2004, Joest Racing stopped their sportscar efforts after four straight victories at Sebring. Three Audi R8 cars entered the 12 hour race. Two from Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx, and a single car from Champion Racing. The three cars gave Audi a clean 1-2-3 win. Victory in the end for the #28 Audi R8 of Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx with drivers Allan McNish, Pierre Kaffer and Frank Biela. Champion Racing with Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner finished in second, but five laps down from the winning car.

2005:
The final race of the Audi R8 at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Only two cars entered the 2005 race. The two Audi R8s from team Champion Racing, the reigning ALMS champions. While facing a very small field of LMP1 competitors, the two Champion R8s battled with each other during the whole race. In the end a 1-2 victory with the #1 machine taking the overall win with drivers Tom Kristensen, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner. The #2 Audi was driven by Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela. A few months later, the Audi R8 won its final ever race at Le Mans 24 Hours.

2006:
A new car and a new technology. Audi made history by debuting in and winning a major international race with a Diesel powered race car. Audi Sport Team Joest was back to Sebring as a full factory team, the only American race for them, as they were preparing Le Mans 24 Hours. The brand new Audi R10 TDI stormed Florida's race taking victory with the #2 car of Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen. The #1 Audi failed to finish, the car was driven by Emanuel Pirro, Frank Biela and Marco Werner.

2007:
The Audi R10 TDI was back to defend its 2006 crown. Two cars entered by Audi Sport Team Joest (under Audi Sport North America name). Once again the competition wasn't that strong in LMP1. The challenger this time came from the lower LMP2 cars, with factory teams from Porsche and Acura. The Joest team won the race in the end with the #2 Audi R10 TDI of Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Marco Werner. The sister #1 car driven by Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen faced some problems and finished fourth overall, 11 laps behind the winning car. This is the last victory for the Audi R10 TDI at Sebring.

2009:
In 2008 Audi failed to win Sebring for the first time since 2000. The victory went to Penske Racing and their Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 machine. For 2009 Audi Sport replaced the three year old Audi R10 TDI with the new LMP1 challenger, the Audi R15 TDI. Yet again the race debut for the new car was at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Peugeot and new comers from Acura in the top LMP1 class were the rivals to beat. The race against the Peugeots proved to be one of the most fought for Audi in Florida. In the end the #2 Audi R15 TDI won the race overall with drivers Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen, just ahead of the second placed #08 Peugeot 908. The sister #1 Audi of Lucas Luhr, Marco Werner and Mike Rockenfeller finished in third, 2 laps down.

The Audi R8 legend lives on

By Johan Laubscher

The Audi R8 was one of the highlights in Audi's long and prestigious motorsport history. The car that dominated the first half of the decade of the new millennium with 63 wins in 80 races. The car graced the race tracks of the world from 2000 to 2006 and went on to win its final race at Lime Rock in 2006 in the ALMS.

The old girl was retired in 2006 being replaced by the then new Audi R10 TDI race car. This was however not the end to the legend that was the Audi R8. Since it was retired the first Audi sportscar for the road, the mid engined Audi R8 was launched in 2006 and quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the market. Baring the name “R8” it paid tribute to the legendary race car. A racing version of the road car, the R8 LMS (R16) debuted in 2009 and quickly became the most successful GT3 specification race car, notching up over a hundred race wins and many championship titles.

The R8 name is in good shape, being represented by both the road cars and the R8 LMS, but there is another side to this story. There are indeed still Audi R8 LMP cars racing today. Historic racing is a very popular formula which allows different cars from yesteryear to once again compete. The historic racing scene is very healthy in North America and there are some gems from Audi taking part. Various old Audi R8 LMP cars are still taking part in these historic races in a category for modern sports prototypes. It is interesting to note that the R8 LMP actually started racing in these historic series in 2003, hard to imagine these cars competing in histories while the R8 was still actively competing in race series around the world. There were clients/owners of R8s that wanted to compete in histories. Special waivers were allowed in the rules to allow for modern LMP prototypes to compete and #405 and #403 started competing.  At present there are three Audi R8 LMPs competing in America. GMT Racing competes with Audi R8 #606 owned and driven by Travis Engen. Rogers Motorsport has two Audi R8s #405 and #607 which are driven by Andy Wallace, Doug Smith and Bill Adam. The two 2005 specification R8s, #606 and #607 actually have an interesting story. They are affectionately referred to as the “clones.” The last versions of the Audi R8 were all based on the R8 developed in 2002, the 600 chassis series. Officially only five chassis were built of this version #601 - #605. #606 was built from Audi R8 parts in 2005 and used for testing in America while #607 was built in 2009 using parts left over from the retired R8 program. The cars were not officially assembled by Audi in Germany, but they were given homologation papers and thus #606 and #607 were born.

In recent years a few other Audi R8 LMP cars also competed in America. #403 competed in the historic racing being driven by owner Aaron Hsu with #501 and the 2001 Bentley #002-3 also being added to his collection. He raced with all three cars. #403 was eventually sold to a British collector who restored the car back to Gulf racing colours and the car is now part of the ROFGO Gulf collection by Duncan Hamilton. #501 and the Bentley were sold to George Stauffer who competes with #501 at events based at Road America.

The ongoing racing legacy of the R8 LMP is thanks to the people and teams that maintain these cars and prepare them for races. Rogers Motorsport and GMT Racing do a great job in preparing their cars and special mention must be given to Kettler Motor Werks. Brad Kettler has been instrumental in keeping these cars alive and on the track. His company specialises in Audi R8s, among other things. They ensure the R8s still competing are well looked after. Kettler Motor Werks organised a special test day for all the R8s in America in 2008 at Sebring, to document and service the cars. Five cars were present at the test (As seen in the cover photo). The Bentley (which has a 3.6 V8 R8 engine) was joined by Audi R8 #605, #403, #405 and #501 at the test. Further test like this may be planned in future.

It is thanks to this kind of hard work which ensures that the Audi R8 still graces race tracks with its presence, and without any surprise the old girl is still winning races today.

More information:

Kettler Motor Werks

GMT Racing

SVRA

Historic Sportscar Racing

Legends of Motorsports

SascoSports

Photos by Kettler Moter Werks (cover photo) and Robyn Pass Handy of SascoSports (photos bellow)

The Rogers Motorsports Audi R8 (#607) at Sebring in 2012

The GMT Racing Audi R8 (#606) at Sebring in 2012

McNish Hungry For Sebring Success To Bag Valuable World Championship Points

From www.allanmcnish.com

“Flying Scotsman” aims for a fourth Sebring 12 Hour race win

Allan McNish bids to get his FIA World Endurance Championship aspirations off to a flying start in Florida on Saturday (17 Mar). The Scotsman competes in the Sebring 12 Hours sharing his diesel-powered “works” Audi R18 TDI with Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Dindo Capello (Italy). McNish, a winner of the Sebring race on three previous occasions, will contest the entire eight-race WEC with the Dumfries-born ace focussed on winning the world “crown”. 

"My aim this year is to win the Driver's World [Endurance] Championship and help Audi claim the Manufacturer's title,” confessed McNish. 

“I contested the 2002 FIA World Formula One Championship but the only World title I've ever previously been in real contention for was the 1985 Junior World Karting title when I ultimately finished third – one place behind Michael Schumacher.

"I've won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice and the American Le Mans Series title three times but to win the World title would be the icing on the cake in my 30-year motor racing career."

Audi Sport enters three 2011-specification R18 TDI sports-prototypes in North America’s oldest sportscar race with McNish switching to a hybrid-diesel Audi R18 e-tron quattro for the next WEC races at Spa in Belgium (May 5) and the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

Allan added: “It will be the first time we have raced the R18 TDI at Sebring which is a little bizarre as we’ve been racing it since last May. 

“The track, climate and intensity of the race are all very good tests for the car, team and a driver. Audi Sport has used it [Sebring] each year, bar one, since its début in endurance sportscar racing [1999] as an important part of our preparation for Le Mans and not just for car reliability, speed and performance.

“It’s used for the way that we work as a team – drivers, engineers and mechanics. A big ‘heavy’ race at the very beginning of the year gets you into the system and an early feel for everything.”

The bumpy, fast 3.7-mile, 17-corner Florida track is not only a stern test for man and machine but features a unique atmosphere attracting a huge crowd. 

“I have always enjoyed racing against this ‘circuit’ as well as the fierce competition,” continued McNish. “I raced in the 12 hours at Sebring for the first time in 2000 and this year’s race marks my ninth and is always fast, aggressive and intense often run in hot and humid weather conditions.

“Normally there are over 150,000 fans gathered around the track over the four days of the event. Many camp out for the entire event with some having been at the circuit to get the best available vantage point in their motorhomes and camper vans since the turn of the New Year.

“Additionally there is the incredible history surrounding this race first run in 1952. Derek Bell, Juan Fangio, Mike Hawthorn, Jacky Ickx and Stirling Moss are previous winners with Audi chasing Ferrari and Porsche in terms of overall wins. 

“This year’s race has an extra special incentive for Audi and me as a driver as it’s the opening round of the new FIA World Endurance Sportscar Championship.

“Audi Sport and its drivers have wanted a World Championship to aim at for a long time. It will be a cracking start to the season.

“As an Audi Sport driver, I go to every race with a very good chance of success – Audi and I don’t head to races to finish second. Unfortunately one of our biggest rivals, Peugeot, has pulled out of sportscar racing but Toyota has now joined in.

“I drove for the Japanese manufacturer in Formula One and so know only too well that one of the biggest car companies in the world has now joined us in the WEC. They [Toyota] will not be at Sebring because it is too early in their programme but there will be at least two HPD [Honda] cars in the field.

“And those suggesting that Audi is set to run away with Sebring now that Peugeot has gone should remember that an HPD finished second first time out in last year’s corresponding Sebring race – half a minute behind the winner – with minimal testing which was a stunning performance.

“I am very cautious about making predictions. Knowing this race and taking into account the speed we have had in previous races at Sebring and not won combined with the speed of our competition – it’s going to be tough this year especially as we will be penalised with a 15kg weight penalty due to us running our R18 TDI in 2011 spec.”

McNish raced regularly in the American Le Mans Series in 2000, ’06 & ’07, winning the driver’s title on each occasion, and the Scot has fond memories of the North American-based series. 

Allan added: “I always thoroughly enjoy racing in America but unfortunately Sebring is the only U.S. race on the WEC calendar. I’ve won three American Le Mans Series titles and have had a lot of fun and enjoyment Stateside. 

“The American market is massive for Audi. We’ve been racing diesel sportscars there since 2006 – three years before Audi of America started importing diesel engined road cars. North America is now the third biggest market in the world for Audi. It’s a big player and I think it’s got real significance for both me as a driver, Audi Sport and also for Audi as a car company in what we’ve done to ‘showcase’ TDI technology on racetracks over there”.

Practice is staged on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with qualifying for the anticipated 60-car plus entry on Friday (8.10pm UK time). The 60^th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fuelled by Fresh From Florida race begins at 2.30pm UK time on Saturday.

More about Allan McNish here:

Allan McNish official website

Allan McNish official Facebook page

Allan McNish official Twitter

 

A new era begins for Audi at Sebring

Audi Press Release :

• Premiere of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC
• Le Mans winning Audi R18 TDI modified for season opener
• First run for new signing Loïc Duval

The 12-hour race at Sebring (U.S. state of Florida) on March 17 is shaped by major developments. For Audi, the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is ringing in a completely new era. The brand with the four rings last won a world championship title in 1984 – then in rallying. At the same time, Audi has the chance of clinching its tenth overall victory on the 60th anniversary of the classic endurance race.

Audi is starting into its most important sports car season so far. For the first time, the brand with the four rings will be battling to clinch a world champion’s title in road course racing. Audi has been successfully competing in sports car races since 1999 and has won many series, including the American Le Mans Series on nine occasions. This year, for the first time since 1992, the FIA is again awarding a world champion’s title for Le Mans prototypes, the race cars that currently feature the most sophisticated technology of all.

The technical development at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm is running at full stretch. No less than three different versions of the R18 LMP1 race car will be fielded during the course of the season. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro and Audi R18 ultra cars unveiled at the end of February are currently subjected to an extensive testing program and will be making their racing debut at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) at the beginning of May. At the world championship season opener at Sebring, Audi Sport Team Joest will rely once more on the R18 TDI that was victorious at Le Mans last year.

Effective immediately, new rules will reduce the engine output of the diesel-powered vehicles by around seven percent. To achieve this, the size of the air restrictors will be reduced from a diameter of 47.4 to 45.8 millimeters. The charging pressure drops from 3,000 to 2,800 millibar. The fuel tank capacity has been reduced as well. At a pit stop, the Audi R18 TDI can be filled with a maximum of 60 instead of the previous 65 liters of diesel fuel. In addition, it has to take 15 kilograms of ballast on board. The ballast compensates for the fact that the complex aerodynamic modifications of the fenders, which are prescribed as of 2012, have not been implemented on the R18 TDI but will only be made on the successor cars. Surprising but true: On its farewell, the R18 TDI will be experiencing a premiere as the closed-wheel sports car has never before competed in a 12-hour race at Sebring. The engineers, though, can draw on valuable historical data gathered with the Audi R18 TDI on many kilometers of testing on the famous race track in Florida. 

Acid test for “man and machine”

The challenging 12-hour classic on the old airfield complex at Sebring stands for a notorious acid test at the season opener. The bumpy track consisting of tarmac and concrete slabs is rough on the race cars and the drivers’ physical condition. Sweltering heat was often another challenge in the past. Plus, being a 12-hour race, the competition in Florida is the second-longest one on the 2012 WEC calendar. With currently 61 entries – 31 from the American Le Mans Series and 30 from the WEC – the race will demand maximum concentration. Heavy traffic on a track that is slightly less than six kilometers long harbors the risk of body contact and accidents while lapping. For Audi, the 60th running of the race marks an anniversary as well. For the tenth time since 2000 a race car emblazoned with the four rings will have the chance of clinching victory. On achieving its ninth success in 2009 with Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish, Audi set a distance record that has remained unbeaten to date. The trio covered 2,280.5 kilometers in the Audi R15 TDI back then.

Several premieres in the driver line-up

Whereas Audi Sport Team Joest fielded two cars at each of the past runs at Sebring, the squad is now putting three R18 TDI vehicles on the grid. Car number “1” is shared by Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F), with each of the three Le Mans winners from last year experiencing a Sebring premiere. Fässler has never before started from the Sebring grid in a sports prototype. André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer have never raced at Sebring before at all but know the track from tests. Car number “2” is shared by Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (I/DK/GB). Kristensen, with five victories under his belt, is the record holder, Capello has won the endurance race four times, and McNish three times. Car number “3” will be driven by Timo Bernhard (D) and Romain Dumas (F), who jointly mounted the winners’ podium as early as in 2008. They will be sharing their R18 TDI with Audi’s new signing Loïc Duval (F). The Frenchman is bringing a fitting “inaugural gift” to the squad. He was celebrated as a winner at the 12-hour race at Sebring last year. The nine drivers combined thus boast as many as 15 individual Sebring successes. 

Topics of the weekend

- Will the diesel-powered vehicles still be competitive with the new rules?

- What will be the impact of the 15 kilograms of weight handicap on the cars with last year’s specifications like the Audi R18 TDI have to compete with at Sebring?

- Who will be Audi’s strongest challenger at Sebring?

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro Launch Trailer - One of the greatest videos

By Johan Laubscher

Audi Sport have always been known for producing some exceptional video material. Today, Monday the  third of March 2012 was no exception. The latest promotional video from Audi Sport was published today, and oh what a video.

Focusing on the return of quattro to the race tracks this video entitled “Audi R18 e-tron quattro Launch Trailer” encompasses just over two minutes of Audi and more specifically “quattro’s” motorsport heritage. The combination of brilliant video clip choices combined with supreme editing and music results in a video that will get any petrol head’s heart pumping. Hearing the breathtaking sound of the legendary five cylinder turbo rally cars and the dominant Le Mans prototypes is enough to send shivers down your spine. For Audi fans this is a jaw dropping, knock me over video and one that makes the wait until June seem even longer. If this video does not get your blood pumping, then there is an empty cavity where your heart should be.

Watch the trailer here:

*Cover photo is a still taken from the video

Audi R18 e-tron quattro full set of official videos

All the official videos of the brand new Audi R18 e-tron quattro for Le Mans 24 Hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Audi with two R18 e-tron quattro and two R18 ultra at Le Mans

 
By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport will field four cars at the 80th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Four cars utilising two different technologies and twelve drivers. This is only the second time since 1999 that Audi will compete at Le Mans with four full factory cars.

The big news for the Audi Le Mans sportscar program is the brand new Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The Hybrid powered closed cockpit prototype is based on the 2011 Le Mans winning R18. This marks the comeback of the legendary "quattro" in factory racing at Audi. Quattro AWD has a strong winning legacy in motorsport: World Rally Chamionship (Group , the IMSA GTO series, the SCCA Trans-Am, the DTM and Super Touring racing. Two R18 e-tron quattro cars will be fielded at Le Mans and only one will do the full FIA World Endurance Championship. All six drivers of the two new cars are familiar faces. For Le Mans the driver line-up will be:

#1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro: Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F)

# 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro: Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB)

In support of the two R18 e-tron quattro cars, Audi will field two TDI powered prototypes. The Audi R18 ultra is the new name of the 2011 winning car, the R18 TDI. After Le Mans a single R18 ultra will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The R18 ultra will have three new drivers at Audi for Le Mans. Loic Duval from France raced with the privateer ORECA team the last two years, very fast with the Peugeot 908 HDI FAP. Marco Bonanomi from Italy, factory test driver since last year and Italian GT champion with Audi Sport Italia. Oliver Jarvis from Britain who raced at Le Mans 2010 in a customer R10 TDI (Team Kolles) and raced in the German DTM series since 2008. The other three drivers are the 2010 overall winners. The R18 ultra driver line-ups at La Sarthe will be:

#3 Audi R18 ultra : Timo Bernhard (D), Romain Dumas (F)and Loïc Duval (F)
#4 Audi R18 ultra : Marco Bonanomi (I), Oliver Jarvis (GB) and Mike Rockenfeller (D)

The 12 Hours of Sebring is the season opener for the brand new FIA World Endurance Championship. Audi Sport will enter three R18 ultra cars. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro will make its race debut at round 2, the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where Toyota Racing is set to debut its TS030 Hybrid as well.

Quattro is back in world class racing. Two different technologies and four cars in hands of team Joest Racing. Twelve strong drivers who are among the bests in sports car racing. Audi is without any doubts the big favourite for Le Mans and the new FIA World Endurance Championship.

Audi R18 e-tron quattro : Audi brings the quattro back to the race track

Ingolstadt/Munich, 2012-02-29

• World premiere in Munich: the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro
• Four-wheel driven diesel hybrid for the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Audi ultra lightweight as base for the application of hybrid technology

Motor sport is used yet again by AUDI AG to pioneer new technology: the brand with the four ring’s new Le Mans race car is the world’s first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI with a hybrid system. quattro drive also celebrates its comeback to the race track with the prototype – in a entirely new form.


Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the name of the new Le Mans prototype that makes its race debut on May 5 in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and fights for overall victory at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) on June 16/17. Audi unites two technologies in a fascinating way to create a new type of drive, which is also already being tested for future use in production cars: e-tron quattro.

Hiding behind this description is the next generation four-wheel drive with which Audi combines the advantages of the proven quattro drive with the potential of electromobility. To this end one vehicle axle is powered conventionally, the second by electric motors.


“Audi has always consciously selected championships and categories in racing that have a close relationship to production and therefore have technical relevance for the Audi customers,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who personally drove the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro onto the stage on Wednesday evening during its world premiere in the Audi Training Center at Munich airport – electrically and almost silent. “quattro, TFSI and TDI are three excellent examples of how motorsport has stimulated production development. A similar tendency is apparent with the e-tron quattro: we test a completely new technology on the race track before it’s introduced to the Audi production line.”


On the Audi R18 e-tron quattro kinetic energy is recovered on the front axle during the braking phase. It is fed as electric into a flywheel accumulator before being retrieved under acceleration again above a speed of 120 km/h. During this procedure only the front axle is integrated. The V6 TDI power plant producing 375 kW (510 hp) continues to transmit its power to the rear wheels. Both systems complement each other to create the new drive principle e-tron quattro.

Project began in February 2010

The project e-tron quattro for motorsport started in February 2010. Only 18 months passed from the initial conceptual ideas to the first test. “This is a relatively short cycle for a technology that has never been tested in motorsport and which still doesn’t even exist in production,” stresses Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The challenge is correspondingly big.”

Audi Sport developed the Audi R18 ultra in parallel to the Audi R18 e-tron quattro – because Audi takes a two-pronged approach this year in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) – the 2012 model year Audi R18 is built with and without hybrid drive. The trick: the base of both cars is completely identical, which is why the additional logistical effort is kept limited for Audi Sport and the race team.

“The TDI engine invented by Audi is still the most efficient drive in the world,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We are convinced that the TDI has even more potential. This is why Audi not only supports the hybrid in motorsport as it does in production, but in parallel also the further development of the conventional drive.”

Innovation in transmission area

The R18 e-tron quattro’s twin brother more than lives up to its model name ‘R18 ultra’: it is the lightest Le Mans prototype that Audi Sport has ever built. To compensate for the additional weight of the hybrid system the subject of lightweight design and construction was the focus throughout development of the 2011 Le Mans race winning R18 TDI. In addition to the many detail optimizations there is also a genuine innovation in the transmission area: a new gearbox with a carbon-fiber composite housing was developed for the R18 – a premiere for endurance racing.

“The new R18 ultra is a distinct evolution of last year’s Le Mans race winning car,” summarizes Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Our drivers’ impressions were very positive from the first moment. Without the weight optimized R18 ultra we would have not been capable of realizing the R18 e-tron quattro which is absolutely identical with the exception of the hybrid system.”

Audi Press Release