Audi Eager to Continue Winning Streak at "Petit Le Mans"
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) enters the hot phase: After four wins in succession, the Audi R8 contests the ninth of twelve ALMS rounds in Road Atlanta on Saturday, 30 September. More commonly known as “Petit Le Mans“, this round is regarded as a classic, and alongside the 12 Hours of Sebring one of the season highlights of the ALMS calendar. Inaugurated in 1998, it was the first race ever of this spectacular sportscar series. Run over ten hours or 1000 miles, it is one of three endurance races in the ALMS.
For Audi, fighting for the lead in the drivers´ championship at “Petit Le Mans“ in eastern USA holds a very special meaning. Due to the longer distance, five extra points for every placing will be awarded. With just three rounds left to run, this is an excellent opportunity for the Audi works drivers to make up more ground to the leader, or to even take the drivers´ championship lead. “Road Atlanta is a key race for us. It will be decisive in our fight for the title,“ says Le Mans winner Frank Biela. In the manufacturers´ championship Audi leads by eleven points.
Strengthening Audi´s crew at Road Atlanta are Michele Alboreto and Tom Kristensen. The Dane joins up with Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro forming a team that proved to be very strong with wins in both Sebring and Le Mans. “Petit Le Mans is a real classic and I´m really looking forward to the weekend with my team mates – after all, the three of us seem to be on a winning streak this year, “ says Kristensen. Alboreto teams up with Rinaldo Capello and Allan McNish.
Prior to the start of the championship´s final phase, the teams have the opportunity to test on the track over several days. “In this way we will be able to take our time in setting up the cars and work on an optimal strategy for the race,“ says team director Reinhold Joest. “Apart from that, the drivers will have plenty of time to practice and to become familiar with the circuit at night. This is important because the race finishes late at dusk.“
The 2.54-mile circuit at the Road Atlanta Motor Sports Center is situated approximately 45 minutes north of Atlanta in the US state of Georgia. The race begins at 12.30 hrs local time, and finishes after ten hours or 1000 miles.
Current Points Standings
Drivers
1. Jörg Müller (BMW) 182
2. JJ Lehto (BMW) 179
3. Allan McNish (Audi R8) 177
4. Rinaldo Capello (Audi R8) 171
5. Frank Biela (Audi R8) 166
6. Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8) 165
7. Jan Magnussen (Panoz) 164
8. David Brabham (Panoz) 150
9. Bill Auberlen (BMW) 125
10. Hiroki Katoh (Panoz) 121
Manufacturers
1. Audi 187
2. BMW 176
3. Panoz 160
4. Reynard 95
5. Lola 86
6. Cadillac 65
Road Atlanta Timetable
Thursday, 28 September
09.20 – 10.20 hours free practice
16.25 – 16.55 hours 1st qualifying
19.00 – 21.00 hours free practice
Friday, 29 September
08.40 – 09.40 hours free practice
14.05 – 14.35 hours 2nd qualifying
Saturday, 30 September
07.50 – 08.20 hours warm-up
12.30 hours start
All times are local times.