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American LeMans
ALMS: Audi Weighing Its 2011 Options
Several high-profile teams are being considered to lead Audi’s possible full-time return to the ALMS in 2011.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted September 10, 2010  
Could Audi's 2011 ALMS program see former enemies become allies? (LAT)
As revealed by SPEED.com in July, Audi is courting partners for a full-time return the American Le Mans Series in 2011 and could be close to making a final decision on which team to task with fielding a combined prototype and GT program.

Audi’s previous full-time effort in the ALMS concluded after the German marque claimed the 2008 LMP1 championship with their Florida-based partners at Champion Racing.

Under the direction of team owner Dave Maraj, Champion Racing served as Audi Sport’s North American arm, while the German Joest Racing outfit, in concert with Audi Sport, looked after their European sportscar operations.

But after Audi’s shock withdrawal from the ALMS in December of 2008 (and Maraj’s financial struggles around the same time), Champion Racing closed its doors in 2009, leaving an opening for a new North American partner if and when Audi chose to return to the ALMS with a full works program.

With Audi AG and Audi North America keen to rekindle their sportscar activities in the United States, a number of potential candidates were asked to submit proposals to run a multi-year program that includes prototypes and GT cars on behalf of the Ingolstadt-based constructor.

Discussions have been ongoing for months with a number of players, and three existing teams – Penske Racing, Highcroft Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing -- have reportedly reached the final stages of the review process by Audi.

Of those teams under consideration for the lone ALMS contract, a number of interesting conclusions can be drawn.

Penske Racing, Audi’s arch nemesis from 2006-2008 who ran Porsche’s factory RS Spyder program, is a known quantity to the Germans, earning massive respect for their formidable preparation, resources and highly polished presentation.

Penske’s long history with the Porsche puts the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team in good standing within the Porsche/VW/Audi ownership group, and having seen Porsche’s return on investment with Penske in the ALMS, it’s easy to envision the Tim Cindric-led team as the most attractive option for Audi.

But If public perception is of any consideration, hiring a Goliath like Penske Racing to battle a mostly privateer prototype category in 2011 could be perceived as bringing the proverbial gun to a knife fight.

While the likes of Dyson Racing, Intersport Racing, Drayson Racing and Autcon Motorsports have ably represented the LMP1 contingent in 2010 (in the new, combined “LMP” category comprised of LMP1 and LMP2 machinery that conform to a special performance balancing formula unique to the ALMS), the lack of major new factory LMP entries on the horizon for Audi to battle could paint the brand in a negative light if they were to use Penske to dominate a depleted LMP field.

Asked about the potential of an Audi and Penske Racing partnership, a team spokesperson replied with a “no comment” when contacted by SPEED.com.
Duncan Dayton, right, celebrates with David Brabham, left, after Highcroft Racing captured the LMP1 title for Acura last year. (LAT)

Highcroft Racing, 2009 ALMS LMP1 Champions with Acura, presents another fascinating option for Audi. In contrast to Penske, the Duncan Dayton-owned team has managed to strike a delicate balance between representing a major manufacturer (Acura/HPD) while maintaining the appeal of a privateer effort.

Based out of Danbury, Connecticut, Highcroft’s talented staff, exquisite facilities and strong branding sensibilities could lend a refreshing take on a program that grew somewhat predictable and stale by the end of 2008.

Dayton’s commitment to having only the finest equipment and presentation is well known, but behind the scenes, he has made a large investment to fill his team with some of the best sportscar personnel on either side of the Atlantic. The popularity of Highcroft, combined with their intimate knowledge of the ALMS, could offer Audi similar results to what Penske Racing would deliver while saving a few dollars by going with a smaller organization.

Artfully dodging the question about a Highcroft and Audi collaboration, Dayton told SPEED.com “We still have a championship on the line and we are concentrating 100% on Petit Le Mans at the moment. We never wanted to be a ‘one and done’ team – getting that back to back crown is our key goal. Highcroft has had an outstanding relationship with HPD and Acura and we’ve been thrilled to deliver them the success they deserve. That’s our goal – to do that again. Hopefully another championship will encourage them to continue, but if not, having two championship trophies on the shelf will hopefully make Highcroft an attractive option to any manufacturer. We can’t afford to take our focus off 2010 before that checkered flag falls at Petit Le Mans.”

Wayne Taylor Racing represents another intriguing angle for Audi as the veteran driver and owner has quickly built his team into a powerhouse Daytona Prototype entry in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series.

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