• Audi youngster to compete in ALMS finale at Laguna Seca
  • Pirro still recovering from affects of his accident
  • Second race in Audi R10 TDI for “Rocky”
Le Mans 2007
Mike Rockenfeller

Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller contests the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (California) this coming weekend together with his German compatriot Marco Werner. The 23-year old and youngest Audi factory driver replaces Emanuele Pirro at the wheel of the Audi R10 TDI with the start number 2. The Italian Emanuele Pirro is still not fully race fit following his heavy accident during practice for “Petit Le Mans”.

“Emanuele is suffering from whiplash,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “Our doctors have stated that allowing him to race only two weeks after such an accident would represent a significant risk to his health – which would also be unnecessary as the championship has already been decided.”

It is the second race with the near 650 hp Audi R10 TDI for Mike Rockenfeller. “I’m really looking forward to making the most of this new opportunity following the somewhat unlucky retirement at Le Mans,” says the youngster, who recorded one podium finish and three points scoring finishes in his first DTM season. “I aim to be as good a stand-in for Emanuele as Lucas (Luhr) was at Road Atlanta, and am really looking forward to race on such a fantastic race track which I know from the GT car.”