Audi R10 completes perfect ALMS season at Laguna Seca
The thrilling and historic first season for the Audi R10 TDI in the American Le Mans Series has concluded with Audi's two-car team scoring a 1-2 victory, its third of the year, at this season's final race at Laguna Seca. The victory caps an eight-race all-out win streak and mark's the first time an ALMS car has gone undefeated in its debut season. Though Audi did win every race outright this season, the two races occurring in between the 12 Hours of Sebring season opener and 24 Hours of Le Mans were ran by the R10 TDI's predecessor, the R8, that won both. Much credit should be given to the R10 TDI itself, not just for the win at Laguna Seca but for the entire winning season, as its extremely frugal use of fuel (for a 650-horsepower race car) often gave its four drivers a big competitive advantage. The drivers themselves, however, which include Allan McNish / Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro / Frank Biela, deserve a good deal of credit, as well, along with their teams. Most races throughout the season were never in the bag for the Audi team, each win being earned through excellent driving, pit management and the confidence that comes from piloting these Audi-engineered racers. Congrats to Audi for the unbeaten season and Capello and McNish for winning the Drivers' Title.
Check out a full gallery of R10 TDI pics at Laguna Seca here.
[Source: ALMS via Fourtitude]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom 10:15AM (10/23/2006)
The stop-and-go penalty was tough. But we still got past them. After 60 laps, we were still doing the same times we were in qualifying. It was unbelievable.
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Stacey 10:25AM (10/23/2006)
I'm a big Audi fan and the win was really excited.
How is it considered a perfect season if the R10 did not race in 2 races. My definition of a perfect season would be a win in ALL races not all races entered. The title should have said Audi completes perfect season opposed to Audi R10 completes perfect season.
Congrats to Audi!!!
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Warren M 10:40AM (10/23/2006)
Well done Audi. I imagine all Audi diesel owners will be a little bit smug today.
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Justin Jacobs 10:48AM (10/23/2006)
Bravo Audi! I plan to go see these mean machines in person at Lime Rock next season.
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chuck goolsbee 11:06AM (10/23/2006)
Diesel = Power. BioDiesel = CLEAN power.
So where are our Diesel powered cars? How come I have only VW and one Benz to choose from? How come no cars from the big 2.5 have a Diesel engine? How come every car offered to Europeans has the option of a Diesel engine, yet all we are offered here in "the home of the free" are gasoline engines?
Will it take a TDI winning NASCAR to wake up America to the benefits of Diesel power? The EPA and CARB need to solve their cranial-rectal inversion regarding Diesel.
--chuck
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auto specifications 12:10PM (10/23/2006)
I think first 1-2 or 1-2-3 places for Audi R10 will be something usualy.
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chewy 7:35PM (10/23/2006)
Awesome, the R10 is amazing. The fuel economy run at the end was great. Plus, keep in mind that the competition was allowed to run with 143 pounds less weight.
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J 8:53AM (10/24/2006)
don't know if I would say "undefeated" maybe "undefeated in their class" I know the P2 porsches beat them on at least one occasion
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amp 8:50AM (10/24/2006)
Not to knock the R10, because it is an amazing technical feat, but why didn't the ALMS officials saddle it with extra weight and a smaller restrictor like they did the Corvettes? Oh that right, the R10 is the darling of ALMS, they wouldn't dare do anything to jeopardize a win for their marquee car.
Again, nothing against the R10, I just think it's stupid that ALMS added the 'competition adjustments' to the C6-R's half-way through the season with no rhyme or reason. It's not like it was a structured part of the series either. It'd be a different story if it was set up like the REWARDS weight in World Challenge.
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Ray 10:10PM (10/26/2006)
In response to the post above by "J", the R10 is undefeated. Porsche defeated the R8 in May 06 at Mid-Ohio; it has out qualified the R10, but has never beaten it.
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