Audi diesel race car hangs with Harrier in race

Audi's R10 diesel Le Mans race car took on a Harrier GR7 "Jump Jet" in front of a crowd of 5,000 at the Royal Air Force in Goodwood, England this week. Despite the 650-hp Audi R10 TDI being designed to start races from a "rolling" as opposed a "standing start", the diesel car was quicker off the line and in the lead for almost the whole one-kilometer distance before the 15,000-bhp combat aircraft overtook the Audi by literally a "nose" before it took off in front of a 5,000 crowd. "It was essentially a 'fun' race," explained Audi factory driver Allan McNish. "But when a racing driver and a pilot get together it quickly becomes serious. To come so close beating a Harrier jet-fighter was a tremendous achievement once again for Audi TDI Power - especially if you consider that we didn't modify the R10 TDI for this 'race'." Gallery after the jump...