Audi R15 TDI to Make Race Debut in 12 Hours of Sebring

Audi R10 TDI

Following in the footsteps of the R10 TDI

By Michael Gauthier
February 10, 2009 7:55 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Motorsport

Audi will introduce two new R15 TDI race cars at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21. The company sees the race as a demanding test and dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

The new R15's feature numerous technical improvements that should help Audi continue the success that their unbeaten R10 TDI enjoyed at Le Mans. According to the head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, the cars have performed to expectations and now they must prove themselves in race conditions. He went on to say that "Sebring is a particularly hard race and is therefore perfectly suited to reveal even the smallest of weaknesses."

One of the teams consists of Le Mans winners Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) while the other includes Germans Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner. Audi has gathered an impressive eight wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring and with the new R15, the brand is in the running to get their ninth.

 

Source: Audi

Press Release (Click to expand)

  • Race debut of new diesel sports car on 21 March
  • 12-hour race in Florida is stern test for Le Mans
  • Audi Sport Team Joest with proven driver teams
  • Ingolstadt/Sebring – The eagerly awaited first race of the new diesel sports car from AUDI AG draws ever closer: Audi Sport Team Joest contests the notorious 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida on 21 March with two Audi R15 TDI. The US endurance classic will act as stern test and dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13 /14 June 2009.
     
    The new Audi R15 TDI is packed with numerous technically innovative detail solutions and differs significantly from its predecessor model the R10 TDI which was undefeated at Le Mans. The first tests with the new LMP1 prototype have been successfully completed.
     
    "So far the R15 TDI has performed as we expected,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "Now it must also prove itself in race conditions. Sebring is a particularly hard race and is therefore perfectly suited to reveal even the smallest of weaknesses.”
     
    Proven drivers sit at the wheel of the two new prototypes. One driver line-up is formed by defending Le Mans winners Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland). The Germans Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner take turns at the wheel of the sister R15 TDI. Audi Sport Team Joest competed last year at Sebring in this formation.
     
    Every new Le Mans Prototype from AUDI AG celebrated its race debut at the race track in the heart of Florida. In Audi’s first ever sports car race in 1999
    Audi Sport Team Joest claimed a podium position first time out with the Audi R8R. A year later the Audi R8 triumphed on its debut at Sebring. On the premiere of the R10 TDI in 2006 Audi landed the first victory worldwide for a diesel powered sports car in an important endurance race.
     
    The brand with the four rings has won the 12-hour race at Sebring, which also forms the opening race of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), a total of eight times, the last time in 2007.

    Comments

    BMWPrince
    February 10, 2009 8:15 PM
    It's all good to be in LeMans with a diesel. But I have yet to see Audi transfer their so called technological advancement in their diesel race cars to the road cars... because those who have driven all three German brands would agree with me that Audi's TDI engines (which are actually VW engines) are the most unrefined with constant terrible clatter, noisiest and poorest in performance and economy compared to BMW and Merc. Well who knows, if BMW and Merc were also participating in LeMans, they would dethrown Audi. But they are concentrating on the ultimate top level Motorsport: F1.


    Edited by user on February 11, 2009 at 11:17 AM
    Decypha
    February 10, 2009 8:55 PM
    I have to thoroughly disagree with you, take for instance these direct competitors:

    BMW 330D AT 0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds Fuel use: 5.7 litres per 100 km

    Audi A4 3.0TDi AT 0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds Fuel use: 6.9 litres per 100 km

    Mercedes Benz C320 CDi AT 0-100km/h: 7.7 seconds Fuel use: 7.2 litres per 100 km

    Clearly one can see that the Mercedes Benz is thoroughly the one that's out of its depth in this company and BMW only got the "lead" when they introduced efficient dynamics in the facelifted 3-series.

    ShinyG
    February 10, 2009 8:56 PM
    I agree, most of their diesels still sound like they're running on a combination of wood chips and lead balls. But, hey, don't say that anywere, diesel maniacs will flame you, you "gas lover"! :p

    Uptohere
    February 11, 2009 12:10 AM
    Yawn. And this pertains to Audi's Sebring success and R-15 how, exactly?

    BMWPrince
    February 11, 2009 11:22 AM
    uptohere, what is the point of marketing that you are no.1 (with the absence of main rivals in the car market), if what customers are getting is nothing like the no.1 formula. BMW and Merc make use of their F1 tech in their road cars. Audi is not able to transfer that diesel winning engine combination to their road cars - well, at least the stats don't show it. Makes me think where Audi would be if BMW and Merc were to participate

    122
    February 11, 2009 1:15 PM
    "BMW and Merc make use of their F1 tech in their road cars."

    Prove this.

    BMWPrince
    February 11, 2009 9:57 PM
    Steering, Engine design of the M5, Aerodynamics of the M1 Concept and a host of other engine technology - need I say more? just go to www.bmwsauber.com and there'll be a link to show you how F1 fits into BMW's products

    Uptohere
    February 11, 2009 11:25 PM
    BMWPrince. You promote what you sell, you sell what you promote. What is so hard to understand about Audi's connection to Lemans and TDI? Audi's latest diesels are greatly improved. I think you're trying to cozy up to Mercedes and their association with F1. Merc=F1. Audi=Lemans.

    gorgonzola
    February 10, 2009 9:23 PM
    Thats why common-rail Renault Diesels rule and culo all. Period....laguna coupe diesel power rocks.

    Motor_Yakuza
    February 10, 2009 9:35 PM
    Yep, the farmers love diesel too.

    Motor_Yakuza
    February 10, 2009 9:32 PM
    Hmm, trow Lambo in F1, beat Ferrari, that's the way VW group will win my respect.

    EisenFaust
    February 10, 2009 10:51 PM
    what a load of s**t from BMWPrince

    out4ride
    February 11, 2009 12:11 AM
    Well BMWPrince has a point BMW and Merc are in F1 but they not winnig and Audi does at LeMans.

    BMWPrince
    February 11, 2009 11:27 AM
    Remember that Audi is winning without the participation of BMW and Merc. As for F1, it is only BMW's 3rd year this year


    Edited by user on February 11, 2009 at 11:30 AM
    122
    February 11, 2009 1:10 PM
    There are new competition in Le Mans this year including Aston martin, The Peugeot 908 HDI and possibly the Acura.

    Blake_10
    February 11, 2009 12:27 AM
    Yes, really if BMW is so god, why they can't win at any motorsport ?

    BMW vs Seat ( VW/ Audi, it's the same ) in WTCC , Seat wins...

    BMW vs Mercedes in F1, Mercedes wins...

    BMW vs Porsche at ALMS, Porsche wins...

    Why did they already are considered as the biggest german automaker if they can't win at any motorsport ? Allright they can make very good engines on road cars, but please...

    P.S. The only thing that they've won recently is Formula BMW xD

    Motor_Yakuza
    February 11, 2009 12:33 AM
    You forgot to mention the ugly interiors that BMW have.

    BMWPrince
    February 11, 2009 11:33 AM
    BMW interiors are the best... look at the 7 Series, Z4, X5, X6... I must agree that I don't like the current 5, X3 and old 7's interior as they look cheap. But I quite like the newer interior design and build quality as mentioned above. In my opnion, it is even better than the overated Audi interiors, whcih are bland and boring

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