24 Hours of Le Mans
Successful test for the Audi R18
© Audi Motorsport
Four and a half months before the Le Mans 24 Hours, preparations for the endurance classic are in full swing at Audi. Two new Audi R18 cars and one Audi R15 TDI were used in tests at Sebring (U.S. state of Florida).
The program planned for the tradition-steeped American circuit specified endurance runs for one of the completely re-developed LMP1 sports cars while the second Audi R18 was primarily used for development work. The Audi R15 “plus plus” that will be fielded at the 12-hour race at Sebring – the season opener of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) – completed a long run as well. In addition, the basic setup for the race in March was worked out on the vehicle.
During the tests, which ended on Saturday, the nine Audi “factory” drivers took turns at the wheel so that all of them had the opportunity to drive each of the three sports cars.
“We’re very pleased with the performance of the Audi R18 at our first outing at Sebring,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We opted for this race track because it makes high demands on the mechanical systems of our vehicles. The temperatures are better than in Europe right now, plus the dry weather provides us with assurance that we’re able to conduct the endurance runs as planned. On a wet track the loads would be lower and the test results therefore less conclusive.”
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I wonder if the ACO regrets putting the hideous wing on 2011 prototypes now that the 2011 F1 cars look to have dumped it. They are now the only race cars with the shark fin!
That “Shark fin” needs to go. They are trying so hard to slow these racing cars, that soon it will be a spec seris.
I long for the return of the goup c days.
@Dion
I agree, and anyway, group C could quite easily come back aswell. After all, the only real rule was a limit on fuel consumption (yes, i know there were way more rules, but you see my point), and that would fit right into the ACO’s agenda for limiting fuel use and promoting more fuel efficient ways of making power.
Nice picture. The R18 looks quite nice and aggressive, driving in front of the R15. But in truth the R15 will easily blast past it on the straight.
Come on highcroft what are you doing with a V6 P2 engine? The ALMS would gladly give you all the help you need to take the fight to the Europeans.
o audi r18 e muito melhor que o r15 tdi plus.muito mais bonito!!!!!!!!!!1