The Peugeots are coming to Petit Le Mans! Now, about those Audis...
Peugeot has confirmed that for the second year running it will be sending its 908 HDi prototypes to Atlanta in September for the Petit Le Mans. Peugeot will be looking to follow up its victory at Le Mans last June with its first win at the ALMS flagship race. In France, Peugeot had a resounding victory over Audi's new R15 TDIs but so far the biggest competition in Atlanta will come from the LMP1 Acuras. Peugeot will be bringing two of the 908s to Georgia for the race that joins Sebring in becoming increasingly known as a warmup for the 24 hour race in France.
There have been repeated rumors that the R15s would return to the U.S. for the final two races at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca for several months. We checked with Audi Motorsports spokeswoman Eva-Maria Veith, who said, "There is no decision made about any more races with the Audi R15 TDI this year. I hope that we will know more in the near future." Hopefully an official commitment from Peugeot will prompt Audi to try and avenge their loss in France.
[Source: American Le Mans Series]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aeromax 9:03AM (7/31/2009)
I like how it says "HDI FAP" on the outside.
Reply
Kiiks 9:13AM (7/31/2009)
Well, she is a good-looking car...
sparrk 11:16AM (7/31/2009)
that's a low rev , high torque "Fap"
Mr. Roarke 9:14AM (7/31/2009)
How exactly is a race that takes place in September a warm-up for a race that doesn't take place until the following June, nine months later?
Reply
Mr.Oak 9:23AM (7/31/2009)
It's called development. As these cars evolve, new mechanical pieces needs to be incorporated and tested in a real world racing environment. The Petit, and Sebring @ 6 and 12 hours respectively provide you with an opportunity to do so.
alex.tye 9:29AM (7/31/2009)
It's not just a "warm-up" but also a qualifying race for LeMans. The way I understand it, the top 3 in each class are automatically qualified for the 24hrs of LeMans in June of the next year.
William 9:58AM (7/31/2009)
Actually, the Petit is a 10 hr/1000 mile race.
Kiiks 10:00AM (7/31/2009)
I'd love to disagree with you, but as it is, the ACO's regulations are too unstable to argue that Petit Le Mans is warm up for Le Mans. Winners of PLM however, get automatic invitations to race at Le Mans, so that's incentive.
Kiiks 9:23AM (7/31/2009)
At LM, Peugeot said they'd be at Laguna Seca too. I wonder if that's still the case? That's the only race close enough for me to go (which I've gone for the last few years).
I wonder if Acura will stand a chance against Peugeot at a power track like Road Atlanta? I doubt the high-grip ARX-02a will be able to overcome it's rather substantial power deficit vs the diesels... and that's a pretty long back straight. I can't wait to watch this one, especially if Audi's bean counters sack up and give Joest a chance at a comeback for the R15.
Reply
phoenix 10:05AM (7/31/2009)
Yes, I have confirmation that Team Peugeot Total will be competing the 908 HDi FAP at both Petit Le Mans as well as the season-ender at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Be there!
Kiiks 10:10AM (7/31/2009)
See you there.
jonjon72 9:44AM (7/31/2009)
Little chance of this car getting into PS3's Gran Turismo with all the sponsors intact!
Reply
phoenix 10:00AM (7/31/2009)
I'm surprised this is just getting out now -- I had confirmation from the team at Le Mans that they'd be showing up for Petit.
If Audi can afford it, I really hope they come back to Atlanta. They NEED the race as a R&D session for the R15, which might've performed well at Sebring, but was rubbish at the 24 this June.
Besides, I like hanging out with McNish, that little leprechaun...
Reply
audi_arena 10:05AM (7/31/2009)
Agreed.
And I'm infinately jealous that you hang out with McNish...
phoenix 10:11AM (7/31/2009)
@Audi_arena: I didn't realize at first, but I do sound a bit like I'm showing off... And so what! :) Here's a shot from last year @ Petit, where he's sitting next to my workstation -- http://chaosart.com/phoenix/atlanta2008/slides/IMG_3383.html (no, that's not me in the pic with him - I was taking the shot)
Allan really is a fantastic guy -- great sense of humor, quick wit, and one hell of a driver. I'd love to see him and the rest of the Audi crew return again.
Reply
Israel Llamas 10:39AM (7/31/2009)
As someone who will be at Petit Le Mans this year and Audi Fan, I sure hope Audi gets some German money flowing to make an appearance at Petit Le Mans. Last years race was nothing short of fantastic. McNish Crashed the R10 on the warm-up put it 2 laps down then said "you fix it, I win it" and he did.
Reply
Brad 11:30AM (7/31/2009)
I will also be there this year. I was at last years race and it was fantastic. I'm really hoping that Audi will make an appearance.
CHINO 12:01PM (7/31/2009)
I think this is good news and I'd love to see Audi come and kick some butt. Also, the more these guys come over and race with Acura, the more reason Acura has to stay in an otherwise empty LMP1 class.
Reply
Nighthawk 12:07PM (7/31/2009)
Road Atlanta an awesome racetrack, I feel it's more like the Spa Francorchamps also an fantastic racetrack, were I had been many time!
Reply
Anthony 6:57AM (8/02/2009)
Off Topic - The 908 will be in either Forza 3 or GT5, FULL STOP, maybe BOTH.
Anywho, ACO regulations unstable? Are you saying Grand Am's stable rules (not in GT of course, constant tweaking) is the reason Grand Am in spite of its lower operating cost (not that much lower) is why the DP grid has shrank and looks to be even smaller by year's end?
Petit Le Mans is the last long distance race of the year when you don't count the final 1,000km race at Silverstone. Its also on TV world wide, unlike LMS races. Plus Acura does have a desire to run Le Mans in the near term.
This is one of the worst kept rumors since The Lion's victory at Le Mans and basically old news, welcome to June 2009 Autoblog.
How about reporting that Orcea has committed to running at Petit as well this year?
They use to run Chrysler's Viper Racing Program.
Reply