ALMS 2001
Tom Kristensen in the Infineon Audi R8 #2

The British fans in particular are looking forward to seeing the over 600 bhp Le Mans sportscars over Easter this year. On 14 April, Britain´s Donington circuit hosts the first of two American Le Mans Series (ALMS) rounds to be held in Europe. For the Team Audi Sport North America and its two Infineon Audi R8 cars, the 2:45 hour race on Easter Saturday is not just the third round of the ALMS season - it is the next step on the way to the season highlight in Le Mans on 16-17 June. "For the first time we´ll encounter several new competitors that are also contesting Le Mans. For this reason, we´ll use this round as another way to see how we measure up against them," explains Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Although Audi has proved unbeatable since July last year winning ten ALMS races in a row, team director Reinhold Joest and his squad still have something left to prove on European ground. At both European ALMS rounds last year, the team had to settle for podium finishes. The last time the Audi R8 suffered defeat was in 2000 in torrential rain on the Nürburgring. At this time of year, the weather conditions in the British Midlands could very well be similar. However, for Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, this is no reason to worry. "We´ve conducted rain tyre tests with our partner Michelin and are well prepared for all weather conditions.“

”Still, I hope it doesn´t rain”, says Audi pilot Rinaldo Capello, who travels to Britain as points leader after winning the first two ALMS races of this current season in Dallas and Sebring. ”As opposed to my team mates, I´ve never raced in Donington. So, I´ll have to learn the circuit really quickly, especially considering that we have very little time to practice. At least I have Tom to give me some tips.”

Like Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, Tom Kristensen knows this demanding hill and dale track inside out from his time in the British touring car scene. ”The circuit is fast, very picturesque and a real challenge,“ say the Audi pilots. ”Circuit knowledge is a real advantage,“ claims Frank Biela who won five races on the Donington track during his touring car career with Audi. ”On the other hand, we saw in Adelaide that the top pilots can adapt quickly to any track.“

As at the 12 Hours in Sebring, Stefan Johansson and his team will again put up a strong challenge against the Audi works team at the European season debut. At the first race with the 2000-spec R8, the Johansson team achieved fourth position behind the two works Infineon Audi R8s and the private Audi customer team, Champion, ensuring that Audi secured its first ever quadruple victory in sportscar racing.

Current points standings
Drivers

1. Rinaldo Capello (Infineon Audi R8) 59
2. Tom Kristensen (Infineon Audi R8) 54
3. Emanuele Pirro (Infineon Audi R8) 50
4. Frank Biela (Infineon Audi R8) 49
5. Andy Wallace (Audi R8) 42
6. Dorsey Schroeder (Audi R8) 41
7. Michele Alboreto (Infineon Audi R8) 31
Laurent Aiello (Infineon Audi R8) 31
9. Ralf Kelleners (Audi R8) 24
10. Guy Smith (Audi R8) 23
11. Stefan Johansson (Audi R8) 22
12. David Brabham (Panoz) 20
Jon Field (Lola) 20
Duncan Dayton (Lola) 20
15. Jan Magnussen (Panoz) 19
Butch Leitzinger (Riley & Scott) 19
Elliot Forbes-Robinson (Riley & Scott) 19

Manufacturers
1. Audi 55
2. Panoz 36
3. Lola 20
4. Riley & Scott 19
5. Courage 18

Donington timetable
Friday, 13 April
11:30 – 12:30 hours free practice
16:20 – 16:50 hours qualifying

Saturday, 14 April
09:00 – 09:30 hours warm-up
12:10 hours start

All times are local times