Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Audi posts more than two dozen clips from Petit Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-audi-posts-more-than-two-dozen-clips-from-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-audi-posts-more-than-two-dozen-clips-from-petit-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/29/video-audi-posts-more-than-two-dozen-clips-from-petit-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Audi does Petit Le Mans - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Over the past weekend, while the Joest Racing crew was working away preparing the two Audi R15 TDIs for the extra-Petit Le Mans, reserve driver Mike Rockenfeller and a camera crew were out and about shooting a series of videos. Audi has now posted more than two dozen videos on its YouTube page that include driver and crew interviews, tours of the garage, pits and a tour of Road Atlanta. There's plenty of up-close action as everyone gets ready for what proved to be a rain shortened race.

During the track tour, Rockenfeller (a.k.a. Rocky) describes some of the physical attributes required to get through certain corners at maximum speed. For those unfamiliar with Road Atlanta - or what goes on behind the scenes with a team like Audi - it's worth checking out the vid posted after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi posts more than two dozen clips from Petit Le Mans

VIDEO: Audi posts more than two dozen clips from Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R15 TDI leading Petit Le Mans - click above for high-res gallery

The American Le Mans Series ran half of its annual flagship race this past weekend at a rain-saturated Road Atlanta track in Georgia. The race marked the first anniversary of the inauguration of the ALMS Green Challenge, and in spite of the truncated race length, organizers announced winners in both the prototype and GT categories and the winners all came from the Volkswagen Group.

Among the prototypes, the No. 1 Audi R15 TDI led for more than four hours until shortly before the race was red flagged. However, the combination of the diesel's fuel efficiency and performance gave the Audi sufficient points to be declared the Michelin GreenX Challenge winner. Among the GT cars, several problems hurt the performance of the cellulosic E85-fueled Chevrolet Corvettes. Thus, the Flying Lizard team's Porsche 911s had the best combination of carbon footprint and performance. With only one race remaining at Laguna Seca, the Porsches look like strong contenders to win the season-long Green Challenge championship. Galleries below, official press releases after the jump.


Gallery: Audi R15 TDI at Petit Le Mans 2009


Gallery: Flying Lizard Porsche at Petit Le Mans 2009


[Sources: Audi, Porsche]

Continue reading Audi and Porsche win Michelin GreenX Challenge at Petit Le Mans

Audi and Porsche win Michelin GreenX Challenge at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view the video after the jump

With the American Le Mans Series returning to Road Atlanta this weekend for its flagship event, the Petit Le Mans, Audi has returned to take on the French. Peugeot, of course, won this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans after a multi-year battle with the diesel-powered Audis. So far, in the first three open practice sessions on Thursday, Peugeot's diesels continued to have a speed advantage over the Audi entries, with Frank Montagny setting the fastest time of the week so far during the night practice session at 1:07.912, three-quarters ahead of the second Peugeot, and the Audis also running third and fourth.

Earlier on Thursday, one of Audi's reserve drivers for the ten hour race, Mike Rockenfeller, conducted a backstage tour of the Audi paddock where the crew were preparing the cars for the first practice. This is back in an area that spectators don't get to see much of. As the cars were being taken out to the track, Rockenfeller went into the big tent behind the pit where the engineers were pouring over telemetry data on their screens trying to figure out how to make the R15 faster. Check out the videos after the jump.


Gallery: Audi R15 TDI


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mike Rockenfeller guides a tour of the Audi pit at Petit Le Mans

VIDEO: Mike Rockenfeller guides a tour of the Audi pit at Petit Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mansamerican le mans ser...american le mans seriesamerican lemans seriesAmericanLeMansAmericanLeMansSer...AmericanLeMansSeriesaudiaudi r15audi r15 tdiAudiR15AudiR15Tdifalsemike rockenfellerMikeRockenfellerpetit le mansPetitLeManspeugeotpeugeot 908 hdipeugeot908hdiplmvideoFri, 25 Sep 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Game On! Audi headed to Petit Le Mans to challenge Peugeot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/game-on-audi-headed-to-petit-le-mans-to-challenge-peugeot/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/game-on-audi-headed-to-petit-le-mans-to-challenge-peugeot/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/game-on-audi-headed-to-petit-le-mans-to-challenge-peugeot/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Audi R15 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi vs. Peugeot endurance racing battle will continue next month at Road Atlanta as the German team finally confirmed it will bring the R15 TDI back to America. Peugeot announced several weeks ago that it would run its Le Mans-winning 908 HDI at both the Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca. So far Audi has only committed to the 10-hour race in Georgia. Audi Sport Team Joest will be running the two R15s for the German automaker.

The diesel-powered racers opened up the season battling at the 12 hours of Sebring with the R15 grabbing a debut victory. From there, the Franco-Prussian war moved on to the 24 Hours of Le Mans where Peugeot finally came through with a win after three years of trying.

Audi motorsports boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich blamed a lack of testing for the team's failure in France this year and plans to have the team test at Road Atlanta the week prior to the race next month. Hopefully, Audi will stick around for the California race, as well. Full press release after the jump, and thanks to all for the tips!


Gallery: 12 Hours of Sebring - 2009


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Game On! Audi headed to Petit Le Mans to challenge Peugeot

Game On! Audi headed to Petit Le Mans to challenge Peugeot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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]

The Peugeots are coming to Petit Le Mans! Now, about those Audis... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's mid-June and that means it's time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans again. If the past decade is anything to go by, the number one contenders will again be the factory Audis, which have won eight of the last nine races (all nine if you count the 2003 as the Audi it truly was). For the past two years, the big battle for overall glory has been between the diesel-powered Audi R10 and Peugeot 908, and this year looks to be no different aside from Audi having an all new car, the R15, still with TDI power.

While the Peugeots have shown superior speed the last two years, the Audis have had better reliability and pit work. This year, the R15s appear to have made up the speed deficit, and the Germans look set for victory again if the crew can keep them running. Unfortunately for Audi, the race won't start with one of its cars in the lead, as Stephane Sarrazin has once again captured the poll in his Peugeot 908 for a record third straight year. Alan McNish managed to qualify one of Audi's three R15s right behind Sarrazin, but the other two cars managed to qualify only sixth and seventh on the starting grid. Three other Peugeot 908s will start from third, fourth and fifth, respectively, which means diesel power penetrates all the way back to the fourth row on this year's starting grid.

For those interested in following Audi's progress this weekend, the automaker is following up up its Sebring Facebook coverage with even more social media stuff this weekend. You can find photos, videos and news at AudiR15TDI.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Our own Damon Lavrinc will also be reporting live from Le Mans this year, so keep an eye on Autoblog and make sure to follow our Twitter feed all weekend long.

[Sources: Yahoo Eurosport, Audi, AutoCar | Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images]

Peugeot takes pole at 24 Hours of Le Mans for third straight year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R15 TDI

It was a sad day for the American Le Mans Series when Audi announced they were abandoning their U.S. racing program back in December. The German automaker had been a staple of the series since its inception, but with the exception of the 12 Hours of Sebring, which Audi won, and possibly a couple of races at the end of the season, the R15 TDI has and will be absent from the starting grid in 2009.

Things are looking up for next year, however, with Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi America, telling AutoWeek that his company "would like to" return to the ALMS in 2010. Audi has apparently retained the core members of the race team and intends to come back to the series if economic conditions allow. de Nysschen also claims that the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains a top priority, and it would take a lot for Audi to quit the world's most prestigious endurance race. "We've got a proud record to protect at Le Mans," he told AW.

So while Audi's LMP1 program is not in doubt, we can only hope that their competitive spirit leads to another full season of racing in the ALMS next year.


Gallery: Audi R15 TDI


[Source: AutoWeek]

REPORT: Audi hoping to return to ALMS in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Porsche now reigning over the Volkswagen auto empire, we can expect to see synergies between the small sportscar maker and all its new subsidiaries over the years to come. One of the first such opportunities has actually emerged in reverse out on the race track, as Audi Sport has ported over two of Porsche's most successful drivers to its Le Mans team.

Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas have scored nine victories - including at Sebring, Daytona and the Nürburgring - along with two consecutive LMP2 titles behind the wheel of the Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series, not to mention both contesting the main event in France several times with other teams to considerable effect. The two will be joining Audi's roster of endurance racers in the new R15 TDI at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the words of Audi motorsport chief Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (which you can read in full in the press release after the jump) the team is "pleased that withing the Group the opportunity now presents itself to have [Bernhard and Dumas] race for us at Le Mans."

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Combining Forzas: Audi ports over Porsche LMP2 drivers for Le Mans

Combining Forzas: Audi ports over Porsche LMP2 drivers for Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi le mansaudi motorsportaudi r15audi r15 tdiaudi sportAudiLeMansAudiMotorsportAudiR15AudiR15TdiAudiSportdumasle mansLeMansporscheporsche almsporsche lmp2porsche rs spyderPorscheAlmsPorscheLmp2PorscheRsSpyderromain dumasRomainDumastimo bernhardTimoBernhardThu, 02 Apr 2009 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi launches Facebook fan page for the R15 TDI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/audi-launches-facebook-fan-page-for-the-r15-tdi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/audi-launches-facebook-fan-page-for-the-r15-tdi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/audi-launches-facebook-fan-page-for-the-r15-tdi/#commentsFiled under: ,



With the new R15 TDI making its competition debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend, Audi has set up outlets where fans of the diesel racer can get behind-the-scenes updates. A Facebook fan page has been created where you can see fresh photos and videos from the track along with posts on what's happening. For those who prefer their R15 news in a more bite-sized format, there's also a Twitter feed that you can follow at http://twitter.com/audiR15tdi. Audi promises to post tons of information as the R15 takes on the Peugeots and Acuras for overall glory in Florida.

Audi launches Facebook fan page for the R15 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R15 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi R15 TDI should be hitting the track competitively for the first time next week at the 12 Hours of Sebring. The new diesel-powered racer will be running against the Peugeot 908 HDi and Acura's new ARX-02a next Saturday. The oil-burning Audi and Peugeot will be competing under modified LMP1 rules that have cut their wing widths by 40 mm (for all P1 cars) and reduced the size of their air restrictors and amount of turbo boost pressure for the diesels. The new R15, which replaces the very successful R10, has been optimized with a reduction in weight, radically new aerodynamics and an all-new powertrain to work with the new rules while still trying to outrun the Peugeots.

The R10's old 5.5L V12 has been replaced in the R15 by a smaller V10 of unknown displacement for greater efficiency and improved packaging. The car's electrical system now uses a lithium-ion battery, again for reduced mass compared to a lead battery. As far as we know, Audi is not planning to use a hybrid KERS system on the R15. Contrary to some information released by an unnamed Audi official at the Geneva Motor Show last week, the R15 will only run at Sebring next week and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in July. The last two ALMS races at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca are not part of Audi's game plan at this time.


Gallery: Audi R15 TDI - studio images


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi drops a whole collection of new images of the R15 TDI

Audi drops a whole collection of new images of the R15 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R15 TDI

Following its annual meeting in Germany, Audi released photos and more details of its all-new R15 TDI race car. After some spy shots and one official pic of the R15 being tested in unpainted carbon fiber, we can now see the new LMP1 car in its standard Audi livery of silver and red. Audi is billing the R15 as the first second-generation diesel racing sports car and the company has focused on creating a vehicle that can consistently beat its French challenger, the Peugeot 908 HDi.

When the R10 debuted it was the first diesel-powered Le Mans Prototype and reliability was put ahead of outright speed. This time around, Audi has optimized the aerodynamics, reduced the weight and built an all-new smaller, more efficient powertrain. The 5.5-liter V12 has been supplanted by a new V10. and although Audi hasn't disclosed its displacement, the automaker admits it's more compact, has a lower mass and features new smaller and lighter particulate filters.

While the car doesn't use a hybrid KERS system, it does have a lithium ion battery for its electrical system. The advanced battery provides higher voltage with lower weight -- always a boon in a race car. The R15 will make its racing debut March 21 at the 12 Hours of Sebring.


Gallery: Audi R15 TDI


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi releases more details on the R15 TDI

Audi releases more details on the R15 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plenty of teams have dropped out racing series around the world this year as economic problems have caused sponsors to pull back. So far, it looks like the 24 Hours of Le Mans has managed to remain relatively immune as the Automobile Club de l'Ouest received 82 entries for the 55 openings for this years race. The top LMP1 class is set to be another battle royal with 12 factory supported entries from Audi, Peugeot and Aston Martin. Peugeot will be trying to finally win Le Mans and has increased its squad to four by entrusting one of the 908s to the Pescarolo Sport team. Audi will have three of its new R15 TDIs and two of the old R10s which will be run by the Kolles team.

In the P2 field, a trio of Porsche RS Spyders with will be leading the way along with an assortment of Lolas, Zytek and Radical prototypes. In GT1, the factory Chevrolet Corvette C6R will make its final trip to Le Mans before being replaced by a new GT2 car. The GT1 field will be filled out with pairs of private Chevys, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. Finally, the GT2 class is mostly Ferrari F430s with a few Porsches, and an Aston Martin and a Spyker. The festivities get under way on June 10. Check out the full entry list here.

[Source: LeMans.org]

24 Hours of Le Mans invite list released originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi r10audi r10 le mansaudi r10 tdiaudi r10 tdi le mansaudi r15 tdiAudiR10AudiR10LeMansAudiR10TdiAudiR10TdiLeMansAudiR15Tdile mansle mans 24 hoursle mans classicLeMansLeMans24HoursLeMansClassicpeugeotpeugeot 908 hdipeugeot908hdiThu, 26 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi R15 TDI arrives early ahead of race debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/audi-r15-tdi-arrives-early-ahead-of-race-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/audi-r15-tdi-arrives-early-ahead-of-race-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/17/audi-r15-tdi-arrives-early-ahead-of-race-debut/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to enlarge

It really is a shame that Audi has pulled out of the American and European Le Mans Series, choosing only to run its new R15 TDI Le Mans Prototype racer at this year's 12 Hours of Sebring in March and 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. All that money, effort and time to develop a replacement for one of the winningest cars in all of motorsports seems like a waste on just two races, even if they are the sport's biggest.

This image released by Audi shows the design of the new R15 TDI ahead of its track debut in March. The new diesel-powered prototype car is much more radical compared to the R10 that it replaces than that car was to the R8. The most noteworthy difference is a new front end with an elevated nose that features two supports extending down to the pavement-scraping front chin spoiler. There's clearly some F1 influence up front, though Audi opted not to switch to a closed cockpit design like Peugeot uses for its 908 HDi.

The new R15 TDI will makes its race debut on March 21 at the 12 Hours of Sebring where its predecessors, the R10 and R8, have won eight times. Two cars will be campaigned using the same driver teams as last year: defending Le Mans winners Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) in one car and Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner in the second. With Acura now competing against Audi in the LMP1 class and Aston Martin joining the fray in June at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we reiterate our sentiment that it's a damn shame the R15 TDI will only be campaigned twice.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R15 TDI arrives early ahead of race debut

Audi R15 TDI arrives early ahead of race debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12 hours of sebring12HoursOfSebring24 hours of le mans24HoursOfLeMansaudiaudi r15 tdiAudiR15Tdir15r15 tdiR15TdiTue, 17 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/audi-r15-tdi-spied-ahead-of-sebring-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/audi-r15-tdi-spied-ahead-of-sebring-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/audi-r15-tdi-spied-ahead-of-sebring-debut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Following up on the immense success of the R10 TDI race car, Audi has been hard at work on its successor. A pair of new R15 TDI race cars will make their race debut at the Sebring 12-hour race next month, but the highly anticipated Le Mans Prototype has already been seen running development laps.

In developing the R15 TDI, Audi's motorsport engineers had to cope with new LMP1 regulations that place restrictions on downforce, while also trying to gain ground against the newer 908 HDi campaigned by rival Peugeot. The new R15 features a wider, higher front nose derived from the latest Formula One designs, radiators moved forward and a sleeker rear end with tail-lights integrated into the redesigned rear wing. Audi has also apparently chosen to stick with an open-cockpit design instead of the new school of closed cockpits embraced by Peugeot and Aston Martin's new LMP1 racer. We'll have to wait until Sebring on March 21 to see the R15 TDI in full race livery, but Italian magazine Sport Auto and British racing resource Autosport have already gotten a hold of shots of the car testing at Spain's Vallelunga circuit, so follow the links below to catch a glimpse.

[Source: Audi via Autosport and Sport Auto]

Continue reading Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut

Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi motorsportaudi r15audi r15 tdiaudi sportAudiMotorsportAudiR15AudiR15TdiAudiSportr15r15 tdiR15TdiWed, 11 Feb 2009 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Audi withdraws from 2009 American Le Mans Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/embargo-12-5-6am-est-audi-withdraws-from-2009-american-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/embargo-12-5-6am-est-audi-withdraws-from-2009-american-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/embargo-12-5-6am-est-audi-withdraws-from-2009-american-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the R10 above for a high res gallery from the Detroit race

The self proclaimed leader in "green racing", the American Le Mans Series, will be losing one of its premier teams for 2009. After winning nine consecutive LMP1 championships with the R8 and then the R10 TDI, Audi will no longer have a works team in the ALMS in 2009. The only official Audi appearance in North America will be the debut run of the new R15 TDI at Sebring in March. After that, the R15 will go to Le Mans and Audi will be represented by the new A4 in DTM and the R8 LMS in GT3 racing.

Audi hasn't indicated whether it will make the R10s available to Champion Racing or any other team. Champion has been operating the Audi Sport North America program for several years. The current economic conditions have been cited by Audi racing boss Dr. Wolfgang Ulrich as part of the reason for withdrawing from ALMS and also the European Le Mans Series.

Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading BREAKING: Audi withdraws from 2009 American Le Mans Series

BREAKING: Audi withdraws from 2009 American Le Mans Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american le mansamerican le mans ser...american le mans seriesamerican le mans series green challengeamerican leagueamerican lemans seriesAmericanLeagueAmericanLeMansAmericanLeMansSer...AmericanLeMansSeriesAmericanLeMansSeriesGreenChallengeaudi r10audi r10 le mansaudi r10 tdiaudi r10 tdi le mansaudi r15 tdiAudiR10AudiR10LeMansAudiR10TdiAudiR10TdiLeMansAudiR15TdibreakingFri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST