The Audi R10 TDI — the world’s first Le Mans diesel race car — has been doing so well that new regulations have been put in place to curb its success. The American Le Mans Series has decided to allow the competing gas-powered LM P1 Lolas to drop 143 pounds of weight to make for a tighter race. The Lolas will also be granted a five-litre larger fuel tank. Audi says its engineers have calculated with computer simulation that 22 pounds at the upcoming Road America is worth at least two-tenths-of-a-second per lap. Audi said it is “deeply disappointed about the random decisions of the IMSA organization.” Nonetheless, Audi is hopefully it can continue its winning streak this weekend with the Road America race.
Quotes before the race at Road America
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “To us, the recent regulation changes made by IMSA appear to have been made at random and are unjustified. A year ago hardly anybody could believe that it would be possible to win a race with a diesel powered sportscar. We demonstrated that it is feasible, and thanks to ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ we produced the world’s most state-of-the-art LM P1. We can not accept that our life will now be made artificially difficult. Audi, the manufacturer, which has supported and promoted the ALMS for years and helped to make it what it is today, will only continue its American Le Mans Series programme if there are again stable and consistent rules, like at Le Mans, which also contribute towards justifying manufacturer’s involvement and expenditure.”
Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #1): “Road America is a fantastic circuit, which I’m really looking forward to. Emanuele (Pirro) and I had a superb race there last year. It goes without saying that after such a victory you return with a special feeling. The track is a lot of fun to drive, is relatively quick and flowing, which should actually suit our Audi R10 TDI. We can also demonstrate TDI Power on the long straights.”
Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #1): “Road America is a beautiful circuit that should allow the R10 TDI to shine. That’s why I’m optimistic for the race. It’s clear that we are competing to help Dindo (Capello) and Allan (McNish) in their fight for the title. We nevertheless want to make a strong showing as we did at Salt Lake City and Portland and obviously win if possible.”
Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #2): “Road America is one of the best circuits on the American Le Mans Series calendar. I’ve only driven there once, but won first time out together with Tom (Kristensen) in 2002 and have fond memories as a consequence. This time around Allan (McNish) and I must drive with one eye on the championship, which means we cannot afford a non-finish and want to score as many points as possible to protect our lead. We might even then have the chance of wrapping up the title early at one of the following races.”
Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #2): “I’ve still haven’t raced at Road America. That’s why I spoke to Nigel (Mansell) who described Road America as a ‘real driver’s circuit’, which should suit me. I also got a few tips from Dario Franchitti. The flowing circuit should suit the R10 TDI, however, the LM P2 Porsche and the Dyson Lolas, also favoured by the regulations, are getting stronger and stronger, that’s why I’m expecting another dog fight.”
Dave Maraj (Team Director Team Audi Sport North America): “I look forward to going to Road America; it’s one of my favorite race tracks. The R10 TDI will enjoy stretching its legs on this circuit. One thing is for sure, we all hope to race in cooler temperatures this weekend.”
08/14, 7:23 PM
posted by:
Cavity Search
Audi just rocks!!! You know it
08/14, 7:32 PM
posted by:
Leopold Porkstacker
This is the second time in history that Audi has proven themselves to be “too good”. The first was the IMSA GTO (I think that was the one, brain is getting old) series back sometime in the 1980s or early 1990s which Audi dominated consistently (largely scoring 1-2 and 1-2-3 placing victories each race) with their Quattro cars. Eventually the racing series was cancelled since Audi were untouchable by the other cars. That was a badass motoring series by far. Oh those were the days.
-he who stacks pork
08/14, 7:36 PM
posted by:
Kyle
That is kind of the expected result when you have a radically different technology that is on a car that is doing execptionally well – regardless of how much that technology in it of itself is helping. Audi can obviously make good petrol engines, so it’d be folly to say that they are only doing well b/c of the diesel. On the otherhand, atleast it’s not as restrictive as say.. the America’s Cup
08/14, 7:43 PM
posted by:
Renton
Its not fair to change the rules in the middle of the series.
Wait until next year.
08/14, 7:50 PM
posted by:
BAMF
ah thats bull****. how is that even allowed?
08/14, 8:32 PM
posted by:
Joel
So, they do something different and use a different engine with different fuel (but same limits on tank, weight etc) do better and get penalised?
Weigh this in with the US getting rid of small highly efficient European diesel hatches (too polluting iirc, but not measured on pollution per km or mile iirc too, and then there’s those bloody big tanks), US auto companies being outshone by their Euro and Asian counterparts, and are we seeing something here?
08/14, 8:57 PM
posted by:
Interphase
Most of the arguments over the relative pollution levels of diesel and petrol engines completely overlook the fact that they both produce very different pollutants. Diesels are cleaner than petrols in most respects other than particulates, and companies like Toyota are coming up with amazingly efficient CATs that bring even these down in line with typical petrol engines. A diesel Yaris fitted with the D-CAT exhaust tech will embarrass a Prius for levels of all typical automotive pollutants.
Kicking back against diesel is just reactionary and shortsighted and, as Audi have found out, the reactions go all the way to the top where people should know better…
08/14, 9:19 PM
posted by:
J
What ever happened to run what you brung?
08/14, 10:12 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Diesel never gets a break. Interphase elucidates the technology argument perfectly.
08/14, 11:02 PM
posted by:
Vicious6
Diesel Baby! Just like in the late 60s when the Plymouth Superbird and the 427 SOHC Ford motor was banned from Nascar. If you can’t beat them, whine enough and get them banned! Total BS! Nascar has sucked ever since!
08/15, 1:00 AM
posted by:
JaggedXJ
Reminds me of rotary engines being banned from Le Mans after the early 90s win by Mazda.
08/15, 1:15 AM
posted by:
Mike
Joel, BAMF, andydru, you guys are right, this is a ridiculous, unjust, and unfair decision. What is this even based on? Innovation and well deserved victories are now punishable grounds?
08/15, 2:12 AM
posted by:
peter Heydenreich
So unfair!
08/15, 2:36 AM
posted by:
Freshshoebox
Tell me about it, this is complete BS. Some of those other stories you guys were telling sound pretty bad too.
08/15, 6:22 AM
posted by:
sh.yoon
It’s also important to consider that, at the end of the day, the ENTERTAINMENT VALUE is also critical for the ALMS. If it’s just going to be R10’s beating the field by several laps at EVERY RACE, it’s going to end up getting tiresome, and many of you will start complaining about how boring the series is, much like the situation with Ferrari’s deam run during the last 7 seasons of F1.
08/15, 7:54 AM
posted by:
Renton
I don’t mind if someone comes up with the perfect formula and dominates. Good for them.
Roger Penske + Mark Donohue + Porsche 917 = “The Unfair Advantage” — In the greatest race series ever, Can-Am.
Go ahead and change the rules, but wait until the end of the season.
08/15, 7:59 AM
posted by:
axel cortez
why everytime a car maker makes some discovery the bastards change the rule to slowdown the car… like F1 now they have smaller engine the engine should last 2 races etc is not even fun to watch the F1 anymore
08/15, 9:59 AM
posted by:
Jay
What? They have to give other cars an unfair advantage because they can’t come out with something that will beat it? WOW what buttheads
08/15, 10:41 AM
posted by:
Fatstrat
Pork is right. This is not a new thing. In fact, it happens all the time (relative term) in these road racing series. It’s not that big of a deal. They kept adding weight to the Quattro’s back in the 80’s and they pretty much kept winning. Some race series add weight to winners cars every race. However, I don’t think that is why the IMSA series died. If memory serves, it was killed by huge carmakers budgets outspending the privateers until they couldn’t afford to compete anymore. No one wanted to come see a race with 4 cars in it and that is where it was headed. After the years of Porsche/Jaguar domination in prototype class, Nissan came on board and after one season of teething pains ( and astronomical dollars) totally took over the series. That really is what killed the IMSA Camel GT series I think.
08/15, 11:27 AM
posted by:
DieselsAreTheAnswer
This is BS. Stop the descrimination. Diesels are the answer not only in racing but everywhere.
08/15, 3:33 PM
posted by:
mdt
Go diesel!
Show how absolutely pointless gasoline engines are becoming.
-mt
08/15, 8:20 PM
posted by:
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn
Wie bist alle du? What a comical situation is it not posters? This seems to be the price we pay for exercising ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ This is a very common turning out through history. Luckily not all revolutions have been dismissed!
We at Audi AG suggest to all the American fans to attend and support now louder than before!
- Hopefully the ‘flat earth society’ on the lmsa will be hearing you! Danke.
08/16, 10:14 AM
posted by:
FRED
Keep in mind people that AUDI is the only factory backed race team in this series, so the fact that Audi is winning all the races doesn’t mean Audi’s are superior, its just they have a lot more money.
Speed cost money, how fast do you want to go?
08/16, 1:35 PM
posted by:
J
Because Penske/Porsche isn’t factory backed at all . . . why is it that the P2 cars don’t get penalized for an outright win?
08/16, 3:03 PM
posted by:
Stone
You know… this sort of silly **** is why I DO NOT watch “professional” motorsports. I remember back in the heyday of RICHARD Petty, not his son/grandson etc. racing, A.J. Foyt, etc. Audi is a fantastic auto maker, and the idea that they can even be competetive with a diesel is amazing. And then, the ruling body not only penalizes them, but in the middle of a season? WTF is going on? Not enough bribes or some ****? Who blew who for THAT ruling? So… let me get this straight… if Audi does this good with a gas engine, does that mean it’s cool that they smoke the competition? I’m really confused here. They need to start making some sense, or revamp their ruling body or something. Start making some sense, people!
08/19, 3:35 PM
posted by:
E
Didn’t the French want to do this with the regular LeMans as well?
Anyway, it reminds me of how the French tried to make certain stages of the Tour de France “Lance-Proof” because he was just too much of a badass.
I wish we could get some decent European diesels in the US. I wish I could get an Audi TDI with DSG. But no, we just get gassers and now there’s all this “FlexFuel” hoopla. Give us diesel!