Audi fights for Le Mans victory with TDI Power

After 20,000 miles of testing and approximately 1,500 hours on the engine dynamometers, things are set to get serious. Audi fights for overall victory in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (17-18 June) aiming to become the first car manufacturer to win the legendary race with a diesel-powered sportscar.

That this target is extremely ambitious but in no way unrealistic, was proven by Audi in March when the new R10 TDI won the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA) on its race début – an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI Power. And all this less than four months after the very first exploratory laps made by the revolutionary Diesel sportscar.

Audi has already won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times with the R8. If one includes the Bentley victory during the 2003 season with the Speed 8, in which an Audi Sport developed TFSI engine propelled that car, then Audi technology is unbeaten in the world’s most demanding car race since 2000.

The team, under Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, wants to continue this winning streak. However, the challenge this time around is bigger than ever before, since TDI Technology has never been pushed to its limits in motorsport. Audi is the first car manufacturer to face this challenge.

The Audi R10 TDI is the first sportscar to be developed in accordance with the new ACO (Automobile Club de l‘Ouest) LM P1 regulations. Therefore, the Audi Sport technicians did not only have to prepare themselves for the peculiarities of TDI Technology but also to exploit the specifications dictated by the new regulations in order to set new benchmarks with TDI Power in the most technologically interesting motorsport category worldwide today.

The aluminium V12 power unit in the R10 TDI produces 650 hp. Even more remarkable is the maximum torque of over 1100 Newton metres. Tyres, clutch and gearbox must come to terms, just like the drivers, with these enormous forces – and all this over a 24 hour period.

Dumfies-born Allan McNish is joined by With Frank Biela, Dindo Capello, Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner, six seasoned campaigners compete for Audi who all know how to win at Le Mans. The same can be said of Audi Sport Team Joest which runs both the cars.

The brace of Audi R10 TDI prototypes reeled off their first laps around the 8.48-mile "Circuit des 24 Heures" in Le Mans less than 14 days before the start of the race at the official test day on 4 June – the only opportunity to test on the circuit, which partly runs over public roads closed for the event.

After the test day, the two R10 TDI prototypes were stripped, checked and reassembled. A short function-check was scheduled for Wednesday 7 June on the "Circuit Bugatti" at Le Mans, in which the engines for qualifying and the race were already fitted.

The grid positions will be decided on Wednesday and Thursday between 1900-2100 and 2200-2400 (local time). The start of the race follows on Saturday at 1700, an hour later than normal at Le Mans because of the World Cup football match between Portugal and Iran.

The Pan-European television station Motors TV, transmitted via satellite and cable in 32 European countries, broadcasts "live" from Le Mans for more than 48 hours and shows the race in full length. Furthermore, Premiere transmits a "live" non-encrypted signal in Germany. Numerous international TV stations are planning features about the Le Mans race. More than 200,000 spectators are expected on site during the event.

Audi has the chance to write motorsport history on 17-18 June. "However, we also know just how ambitious this goal is and that you need ‘lady luck’ riding on your side at Le Mans," stresses Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.