When Audi launched the new R10 diesel-powered Le Mans Prototype early this year, the company said that the R10 program was focused on the goal of winning the 2006 running of the 24 hours of Le Mans in June. The R10's victorious debut at the American Le Mans Series Sebring opener notwithstanding, the R10s have returned to Europe for an intensive testing and development program in preparation for the big show June 17/18.

ALMS fans of the big prototypes will not be deprived of an Audi fix in the meantime, though. In the interim, Audi Sport North America will campaign a single Audi R8 for Sebring winners Allan McNish and Dindo Capello, giving them the chance to gain valuable championship points before the two R10s return to the U.S. after Le Mans.

The two R10 prototypes return to the ALMS for the July 15 race at the new Miller Motorsports Park circuit in Utah, where McNish and Capello will be joined by the 2005 ALMS championship-winning team of Frank Biela and Emmanuele Pirro.

[Source: Audi Motorsport]