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LM24: Peugeot Withdraws Audi Protest
Written by: John Dagys   
07/02/2009
Chicago, IL
 
Peugeot Sport withdrew its protest against Audi’s R15 TDI on Thursday, putting to end to the off-track politics that overshadowed last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Peugeot's protest against Audi is now over, weeks after the 24 Hours of Le Mans in which the French manufacturer dominated. (LAT) ยป More Photos
 The French manufacturer, which scored a 1-2 result in the twice-around-the-clock classic, claimed elements of the R15 TDI’s front bodywork were not within the ACO-mandated rules, and lodged the protest just hours before the event’s first practice session.

The ACO first dismissed Peugeot’s protest, but the French Lions fought back with an appeal just hours after the organizer’s decision. Peugeot has now formally withdrawn its appeal, citing the ACO’s promise for improved communication between manufacturers in its sanctioned series.

“The ACO has announced its intention to develop its communication with all the manufacturers involved in the Le Mans Series, the Le Mans 24 Hours and Asian Le Mans Series,” the Peugeot statement said. “The communication will ensure transparency between all the discipline's players, which is key to guaranteeing the spirit of endurance racing.”

Peugeot claimed that two features of the Audi R15 TDI - the front wing and the open section atop the nose -
were illegal, and ran in that configuration at the Twelve Hours of Sebring and Le Mans. They stated the bodywork was thus considered to be an aerodynamic element, raising the question over the car’s legality.

Since the onset, the ACO has deemed Audi’s diesel-powered LMP1 legal, and the steps taken by Peugeot were only to bring the issue to light.

It comes at a time when Peugeot is allegedly designing its second-generation LMP1 car, set to replace its now three-year old 908 HDi-FAP by 2011.

Audi or Peugeot have yet to officially confirm participation in future races this season, although it’s believed the 908’s will be back stateside for the Petit Le Mans and ALMS-season-ending round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Peugeot has also not yet ruled out running in the new Asian Le Mans Series, a four-race mini championship held in Okayama, Japan and Shanghai, China this November.

For more detailed information on Peugeot’s initial allegations, please read Marshall Pruett’s analysis on the topic from Le Mans race week.



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