Sunday, September 25, 2011

Audi’s R18 TDI Racecar Debuts in the U.S.,


Following its tenth victory at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours in June, Audi is now aiming for its 10th triumph at the endurance race's U.S. counterpart, the “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta in the state of Georgia, with the R18 TDI racecar.

From 2000 until 2005, the Audi R8 dominated the race, passing the torch to the R10 TDI which continued Audi’s rule in Road Atlanta until 2008. The R15 that replaced it wasn’t that fortunate over the next two years, so the team is returning to Road Atlanta with its brand-new weapon, the 3.7-liter V6 diesel R18 TDI. Team Joest will field two cars in the R18’s overseas debut.

Audi Motorsport boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich said: “I’m very much looking forward to Road Atlanta. I like this track and I think it’s one of the nicest circuits for sports prototypes, and a track on which Audi has had major success before. I’m hoping we’ll be showing a good performance with the R18 TDI in America and achieve victory.”

Qualifying for the “Petit Le Mans” will take place on September 30, and the race will start on Saturday, October 1, at 11:30 local time.


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