Written by:
Kevin Krefting
03/26/2007
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Audi's polesitting car at Sebring was just 1.0sec quicker than the nearest LMP2 Porsche. (LAT Photo)
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Speculation of Audi's impending departure from American Le Mans Series competition grew when the manufacturer delayed its official entry into this weekend's St. Petersburg race, round two of the 2007 ALMS season.
Audi confirmed its participation in the St. Pete event today, but team officials remained vocal about their dissatisfaction with the ALMS's current rules, which in their view favors the smaller, LMP2-class prototypes (Audi's diesel-powered R10s are the sole manufacturer-backed LMP1 entries in the series). The R10s have been tagged with numerous restrictions for this season on the back of their overwhelming success last year.
"The diesel racing commitment in the American Le Mans Series is important for promoting diesel engines in America. That's why we decided to continue competing in the American Le Mans Series," Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich stated. "We know, however, that in view of the current technical regulations, it will be very difficult for us being successful in the upcoming races.
"Audi is accepting this challenge nevertheless. We've had some positive discussions with the management of this racing series concerning the future developments of the rules.
"The roughly 150 kilogram [310lb] lighter Acura/Honda and Porsche LMP2 sports cars which, due to a change of rules, are allowed to compete in the American Le Mans Series with more engine power than at Le Mans, were already nearly equal to the Audi R10 TDI in the Sebring season opener on account of the regulations," Audi's statement added. "On the slower street courses, such as St. Petersburg, their benefit from their weight advantage in the LMP2 class will even be greater, as it affects acceleration, cornering speeds, braking distances and fuel consumption considerably.
"Still worse for Audi, the Audi R10 TDI - as a diesel sports car - has to compete with a fuel tank that has been reduced by ten percent: instead of 90 liters, the fuel tank contains no more than 81 liters in 2007.
"At Sebring, this restriction already resulted in the Audi drivers having to refuel up to five laps earlier than the LMP2 cars - despite the low consumption figures of the diesel engine. In St. Petersburg, the situation will be similar."
Audi's polesitting car at Sebring qualified 1.0sec faster than the nearest LMP2 contender.
