Audi Keen To Wrap Up The Drivers´ Title in Las Vegas
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) enters the final spurt: 14 days after securing the manufacturers´ title with a double victory at Laguna Seca, Audi prepares to tackle the penultimate round of the ALMS in the casino city of Las Vegas. For Team Audi Sport North America, who has also clinched the team title, the round in the US state of Nevada is not only about another race victory. Audi is also eager to tie up the drivers´ championship.
"It would be wonderful if we manage this. If not, we have to wait until New Year´s Eve for the title decision," explains Head of Audi Sport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. The final round of the American Le Mans Series will be played out on the 31st of December in Adelaide, Australia.
BMW pilots, Jörg Müller and JJ Lehto, are the only competitors who could threaten Audi´s chance at the driver´s trophy. Should current points´ leader Allan McNish take first or second in Las Vegas, then theoretically only team mate Rinaldo Capello is in a position to fight for the title at the final round in Adelaide.
McNish is optimistic heading to the Las Vegas race: "As opposed to BMW and Panoz, this circuit is new territory for us - but to date the Audi R8 has always worked perfectly."
In Las Vegas, the Audi pilots are anticipating circuit conditions similar to the Texas round held in early September. The race is contested over a part of the oval combined with a twisting, narrow infield section. "When setting up the car, it all depends on finding the best compromise between the oval and the twisty infield section," explains team director Reinhold Joest. "We faced this task in Dallas and it worked well."
Audi already has a dream season to look back on: Seven victories from ten ALMS rounds for the Team Audi Sport North America, five of which were double victories. To date, the R8 has set pole no less than eight times. With a triple victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race and capturing the ALMS manufacturer and team championships, just one thing is missing - the drivers´ championship.
Current Points Standings
Drivers
1. Allan McNish (Audi R8) 237
2. Rinaldo Capello (Audi R8) 227
3. Jörg Müller (BMW) 221
4. JJ Lehto (BMW) 220
5. Frank Biela (Audi R8) 214
6. Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8) 213
7. Jan Magnussen (Panoz) 198
8. David Brabham (Panoz) 183
9. Hiroki Katoh (Panoz) 153
10. Johnny O´Connell (Panoz) 143
Manufacturers
1. Audi 242
2. BMW 215
3. Panoz 194
4. Reynard 121
5. Lola 115
6. Cadillac 97
Las Vegas Timetable
Friday, 27 October
10.05 – 11.05 hours free practice
14.55 – 15.15 hours 1st qualifying
Saturday, 28 October
09.25 – 10.25 hours free practice
14.55 – 15.15 hours 2nd qualifying
Sunday, 29 October
08.00 – 08.30 hours warm-up
12.00 hours start
All times are local times.