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American LeMans
ALMS: Audi Cancels 2011 Plans
After months of discussions with Penske, Highcroft and Wayne Taylor, Audi pulls the plug on a full-time 2011 ALMS program.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted September 24, 2010  
The allure of a full-time Audi return to the ALMS would have been a huge draw for the series. (Marshall Pruett)
As revealed by SPEED.com earlier this month, Audi's plans to make a full-time return to the American Le Mans Series in 2011 were in the final stages of the selection process with Penske Racing, Highcroft Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing in contention to earn the coveted contract, but SPEED.com can reveal that the German auto manufacturer has now chosen to step away from those negotiations.

In surprise call Friday morning to the three teams, they were informed that a full-time LMP1 and GT program will not go forward, and that the marque will only return in 2011 for the two Intercontinental Le Mans Cup events, held in conjunction with the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans, with an effort run by the factory Audi Sport team.

The choice by Audi to change their plans so late in the process was entirely unexpected, but the reason for the cancellations of the 2011 ALMS plans reportedly had nothing to do with the teams or their proposals.

A rift between the parent Audi AG firm in Germany and Audi North America over the funding of the program is believed to be the at the center of the project's end.

Last-minute questions as to whether Audi NA would be able to uphold their share of the budget obligation for 2011 -- something they reportedly fell short on during Audi's last full-time ALMS effort -- caused the Audi AG board to cancel the brand's full-time return to the ALMS.
The Audi R8 LMS GT3 racer has been a popular choice in Europe, and despite the collapse of a factory ALMS program, a partner is still being sought to handle the US distribution for the car. (John Dagys)

The fall out for the team involved in Audi's 2011 plans aren't completely known, but Wayne Taylor confirmed at the GRAND-AM finale in Utah that his SunTrust Racing Daytona Prototype program would return for 2011. Highcroft Racing confirmed to SPEED.com this week that their return to the ALMS in 2011 is in place, and was not contingent on signing with a particular manufacturer.

Penske Racing, with its open-wheel and stock car programs, will continue uninterrupted with their various racing endeavors.

The GT aspect of Audi's 2011 plans in North America is still believed to be in play, as the ALMS and GRAND-AM are close to allowing the R8 LMS into the GTC (ALMS) and Rolex GT (GRAND-AM) categories.

Providing an adequate North American sales, service and spares distribution center would be required to support GTC/Rolex GT customers, and Audi is reportedly investigating their options to sub-contract this endeavor, rather than heavily invest in a brand-new American-based 'Customer Sport' facility like the one they opened in Germany earlier this year.

Audi is expected to continue their recent tradition of testing their prototypes throughout the USA, with the new-for-2011 R18 LMP1 car likely headed for Florida late this year to gather miles ahead of the new season and in advance of their race debut at Sebring on March 19th.

ALMS fans will surely be disappointed to lose the chance to see Audi prototypes race at every round next year, making a trip to see the factory R18s at the 12 Hour and at Petit Le Mans an even greater draw.


Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com’s Auto Racing Editor, and also covers IndyCar and sportscar racing for the site. Pruett grew up at ‘Pruett's Olde English Garage,’ his father's shelter for abused foreign cars, and spent his childhood being dragged across the West Coast to help with his dad's amateur racing exploits.

Pruett spent 20 years working in the IRL, CART, IMSA, and most of the known open-wheel feeder series before retiring from active duty in 2001. And in case you were wondering, he isn’t related to Scott Pruett.

Marshall lives in Northern California with his wife Shabral, and can be emailed . He can also be harassed on Twitter .

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, SPEED, FOX, or NewsCorp.




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