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2006
LE MANS 24 HOUR RACE (24 Heures du Mans)
74th
Le Mans Grand Prix d'Endurance
- 17-18 June 2006, LE
MANS, FRANCE
- 24 hour race ; first race 1923 ; since 1953 - part
of the World Sports Car Championship
- circuit 8.6 miles
- LAST YEAR (2005) WINNERS: JJ Lehto (Fin)/ M Werner
(Ger)/ T Kristensen
- SCHEDULE:
- WED - first qualifying
- THU - final qualifying
- FRI - drivers parade
- SAT - WARM UP AT 9 am
- RACE - Saturday 4 pm
till Sunday 4 pm
RACE
RESULT - LE MANS 24 HOURS 2006
AFTER 24 HOURS/24
- 1 AUDI R10 DIESEL - Biela,
Pirro, Werner, 380 laps
- 2 PESCAROLO - Helary, Loeb, Montagny +4 laps
- 3 AUDI - Capello, Kristessen, McNish +13 laps
- 4 GT1/CORVETTE Gavin, Beretta, Magnussen
+25
- 5 PESCAROLO - Collard, Comas, Minassian +28
- 6 GT1/ASTON MARTIN - Sarrazin, Lamy, Ortelli
+30
- 7 GT1/CORVETTE Alphand, Policand, Gouaslard
+34
- 8 LMP2/LOLA Erdos, Newton, Wallace +37
- 9 GT1/ASTON MARTIN Brabham, Bouchut, Garcia
- 10 GT1/ASTON MARTIN - Sarrazin, Lamy, Ortelli
- 11 GT1/SALEEN - Borcheller, Mowlem, Fittipaldi
- 12 GT1/CORVETTE - Fellows, O'Connell, Papis
- 13 LMP2/LOLA - Binnie, Timpany, Terada
- 14 LMP2/COURAGE - Macaluso, Gue, James
- 15 GT2/PANOZ - Dean, Tomlinson,
Hughes
- 16 GT2/PORSCHE - Nielsen, Farnbacher,
Ehret
- 17 GT2/FERRARI - Kinch, Niarchos,
Mullen
- 18 GT2/PORSCHE - Neiman, van
Overbeek, Long
- 19 LMP2/LOLA - Field, Halliday,
Dayton
- 20 LMP2/RADICAL - Barbosa, Moseley,
Short
AFTER 12 HOURS/24
- 1 AUDI - Biela, Pirro, Werner, 187 laps
- 2 PESCAROLO - Helary, Loeb, Montagny +3 laps
- 3 DOME - Lammers, Johansson, Yoong +5 laps
- 4 AUDI - Capello, Kristessen, McNish +9 laps
- 5 GT1/ASTON MARTIN - Sarrazin, Lamy, Ortelli +11
- 6 GT1/CORVETTE Gavin, Beretta, Magnussen
- 7 LMP2/LOLA Erdos, Newton, Wallace
- 8 GT1/ASTON MARTIN Brabham, Bouchut, Garcia
- 9 GT1/CORVETTE Alphand, Policand, Gouaslard
- 10 GT1/ASTON MARTIN Enge, Turner, Piccini
- 15 GT2/PORSCHE Nielsen, Farnbacher, Ehret
RACE
REPORT
AUDI RACE REPORT
- Audi triumphs with TDI Power at Le Mans
- First victory of a diesel engine in 24 Hour race Historic
triumph in front of record crowd Both Audi R10 TDI cars with podium
finishes AUDI AG has written an important chapter in the history of
motor racing with its historic triumph in the Le Mans 24 Hour race.
The new Audi R10 TDI was the first diesel car to win arguably the toughest
car race in the world. In front of a record crowd of 235,000 spectators,
Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany)
clinched the sixth and most important Le Mans win for Audi so far. Dindo
Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland)
also achieved a podium in finishing third overall.
- The fans on the race track and a worldwide audience
of millions of TV viewers saw an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI
Power and the performance of modern diesel engines. The brace of Audi
R10 TDI cars, powered by a 650 hp V12 TDI engine, were by far the fastest
and most economical cars. During the entire race, one of the new diesel
sportscars from Ingolstadt was at the head of the field. Le Mans record
winner Tom Kristensen drove the fastest lap of the race, setting a 3m
31.211s time, and he was the first driver at the wheel of an LM P1 sportscar
to cover 16 laps with one fuel load. Completing 380 laps, Audi also
set a new distance record.
- In the race, the advantage in fuel consumption of
the Audi TDI Power was visible for the spectators too: on average, the
Audi drivers only pitted every 14 laps to refuel 90 litres of Shell
V-Power Diesel. The opposition, who relies on petrol engines, had to
pit considerably more often. The fans were also impressed just how quiet
an environmentally friendly 650-hp sportscar can be.
- Although the roll-out of the new Audi R10 TDI took
place only 200 days before the race, the victorious Diesel sportscar
ran as reliably for 24 hours as its predecessor, the R8 that scored
five Le Mans victories. The only unscheduled pit stop was carried out
at 3:47 am when Audi Sport Team Joest decided to replace the gear cluster
after trouble with fifth gear. In spite of the fact that the change
of the entire rear end -- as it had been done with the R8 -- is no longer
allowed by the rules, the team needed less than ten minutes war this
exercise thanks to an innovative gearbox design. One more minute was
lost for Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner on Sunday morning
when one headlight of their R10 TDI was broken so the front bodywork
had to be replaced. Apart from that, their Audi run like a clockwork.
- Biela and Pirro celebrated their respective fourth
Le Mans victory after 2000, 2001 and 2002. Thus, they rank in fourth
position in the historic record charts behind Tom Kristensen, Jacky
Ickx and Derek Bell. For Audi, it was the sixth Le Mans triumph and
the third in succession. The success of the Bentley Speed 8 from 2003
included, a car that was powered by an FSI engine developed by Audi
Sport, Audi technology is unbeaten at Le Mans in seven years.
- Audi's triumph was completed by Dindo Capello, Tom
Kristensen and Allan McNish who finished third. The #7 R10 TDI was in
the lead in the early phase of the race when the injectors of the right-hand
cylinder bank of the V12 TDI engine had to be replaced in the fourth
hour. Having dropped back to 16th position, Capello, Kristensen and
McNish fought back with the fastest lap times in the field to third
place in spite of further setbacks at night and in the early morning
hours. Following a collision with a GT1 car, the undertray was loosened,
and also the left- hand turbocharger had to be changed. Number 7 lost
almost a full hour in the pits. Thanks to the mechanics who carried
out all the repairs they still made it to the podium.
- After its victories in the Sebring 12 Hour race and
in the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the new Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten.
The next challenge is waiting for the revolutionary diesel sportscar
already: from the 15th July onwards, Team Audi Sport North America will
fight for the championship title in the American Le Mans Series with
a pair of R10 TDI cars.
- Quotes after the race
- Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn (Chairman of the Board of
AUDI AG): "This historic Le Mans triumph is doubtlessly the greatest
in the sucessful motorsport history of AUDI AG. It is stunning evidence
of 'Vorsprung durch Technik'. The aim to win the Le Mans 24 Hour race
as the first manufacturer in the world with a diesel engine was extraordinarily
ambitious. We had the courage and we succeeded at the first attempt.
Today, the Diesel has finally made its mark in motor racing. This was
only possible because, as the inventors of the TDI, we have the most
comprehensive know-how at our disposal which our customers also benefit
from. Every second Audi is a TDI already today. Thanks to this stunning
showing at Le Mans, we will succeed in pursuading even more customers
of the advantages of Audi TDI Power. I congratulate Audi Sport Team
Joest, Audi Sport, the colleagues of the Technical Development, our
partners who gave us excellent support in this project right from the
beginning and of course our six drivers. For Frank Biela and Emanuele
Pirro, this was their fourth Le Mans victory, for Marco Werner the second
in succession. They have clinched all those victories with Audi."
- Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "This
was already the sixth Le Mans victory for Audi, but by far the most
difficult and important one. Only 200 days, the most intensive ones
in the history of Audi Sport, separated the roll-out of the R10 TDI
and the start of the Le Mans race. I want to thank every single member
of Audi Sport, of Audi Sport Team Joest, the colleagues of the TE (department
of development) and our technical partners. We have started this project
from a blank sheet of paper and we tried something that nobody has ever
done before in this form. We knew how big the challenge was to win Le
Mans with such a high-performance diesel engine. We have seen in the
past 24 hours and before that so many things can happen in this race.
Le Mans always harbours some surprises that cannot be simulated on a
test bed or a test track. So we are all the more happy to have succeeded
in writing another chapter in the history of motorsport. The team has
worked immaculately and has always reacted correctly to everything that
has occured. The winning car ran almost faultlessly for 24 hours. Unfortunately,
the other car dropped back due to an accident. But the fact that this
team made the podium at the end, too, shows that it was a fantastic
performance from the team."
- Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #8): "We are very proud
of the first victory with a diesel engine, that is to say with Audi
TDI Power. For Audi, this victory is of particular importance, but for
us drivers it is of equal importance. We have been involved in the development
right from the beginning. To get this new race car to this venue, to
win the most important sportscar race in the world and to be the first
to win Le Mans with a diesel engine is a stunning feeling. We were lucky
that our car had a good run to the finish. We only encountered a minor
gearbox problem, everything else worked perfectly. This is the only
way to win at Le Mans."
- Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #8): "Today it's
an Audi day, it's a diesel day and it's the day of 'Vorsprung durch
Technik'. With the first victory of a diesel engine something extraordinary
has happened which we all still don't completely realize. It's a great
reward for all the people who have been working for this project in
front and behind the scenes. I think this weekend we saw the beginning
of a new era in motorsport. And it was a confirmation that Audi is the
leader of any new technology in the automobile industry."
- Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #8): "Of course, it
is exciting that we wrote history with the new diesel car in its first
Le Mans entry. For me, it is the second victory in succession, so I
am absolutely overwhelmed. You've got to take your hat off to Audi again
and again. The decision to enter the R10 TDI this year was ambitious
but correct. There are other manufacturers who allow themselves one
more year for such a project. Audi has done a tremendous job to get
the car ready to race and ready to win in such a short time span. It
is simply incredible: 200 days ago, the car stood on its wheels for
the first time and now it has won the Le Mans 24 Hour race. This is
more than history -- it is a great story!"
- Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #7): "It's a great
result for Audi and we're all part of this victorious brand. Our car
suffered some problems through the race but each time my engineer and
the mechanics on #7 worked very hard and did a good job to solve them
so that we lost as little time as possible. They all deserve a big thank
you. I'm so happy to be a part of this race which now has new history."
- Tom Kristensen (Audi R10 TDI #7): "I'm feeling
very, very emotional. Now everybody will know what TDI Power means.
This project started not so long ago as a clean sheet of paper and has
already triumphed. Audi's dream has come true so quickly thanks to the
efforts of many people in this massive motorsport programme. I'm proud
to be apart of this success. I would have loved to be on the top step
of the winners' rostrum with Dindo and Allan but on this occasion, we
had to face many challenges in the race. But we overcame these and still
finished on the podium."
- Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #7): "The TDI project
was always a very ambitious one. Audi never takes these things lightly
and came perfectly prepared to this race. But coming to Le Mans you
have to expect everything including problems -- and that's what happened
to our car this weekend as it happened to the Audi R8 on its debut in
2000. But again we overcame them in the true style of Le Mans and Audi,
and fought our way to the podium. That was a fantastic effort for the
whole team."
- Ralf Juttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest):
"I am simply happy. This was a hard race with plenty of work, but
somehow, it was typical for the whole project that everbody has put
so much work into. The latest 24 Hours were no exception. We had our
fair share of problems. But then again, this is what you would expect
if so much new technology is used for the first time. It is mega that
in spite of those circumstances, both cars finished, both made it to
the podium and one car has even won. The team has worked incredibly
well. The regular pit stops, the unscheduled repairs -- everything has
worked fine. The result is the justified reward for that."
CORVETTE RACE REPORT
- Corvette Posts Fifth GT1 Class Victory in Classic
Endurance Race
- LE MANS, France - Corvette and Aston Martin went toe-to-toe
in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, trading blows through a grueling day and
night of racing. When the battle finally ended at 5 p.m. today, Corvette
Racing had won the GT1 class in the world's greatest sports car race
for the fifth time in six years.
- The victorious No. 64 Compuware Corvette C6.R driven
by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen finished fourth overall
and scored Corvette Racing's 12th podium finish since the team first
came to Le Mans in 2000. It was the trio's third consecutive class victory
at Le Mans and their fourth straight endurance racing win, a streak
that includes last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans and the
12 Hours of Sebring. Corvette Racing extended its perfect finishing
record in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to seven consecutive years and Corvette
became the winningest manufacturer in recent GT history at Le Mans.
- This year's 24-hour endurance test reprised the drama
of last year's battle. The No. 63 Corvette C6.R and the No. 009 Aston
Martin DBR9 were in lockstep from the start, separated by less than
a lap in the running order for hour after hour. The turning point came
in the 22nd hour when the green Aston Martin went to the garage with
a mechanical problem. At 2:09 p.m., Jan Magnussen officially took the
lead - a lead that Corvette Racing would not relinquish. The winning
Corvette completed 355 laps, made 25 faultless pit stops, and won by
a five-lap margin of victory.
- "You have a one-lap cushion, the Aston is in
the garage, and you are five laps ahead of the next car," crew
chief Ray Gongla radioed Magnussen when he took the point. "Do
you copy? Can you hear us?"
- "Yes, I can hear you," the Dane replied,
"but I just can't believe it!"
- Joining the three Corvette Racing drivers on the victory
podium were Luc Alphand, Patrice Goueslard and Jerome Policand, who
finished third in their independent Corvette C5-R with 346 laps completed.
The No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell
and Max Papis finished seventh after encountering drivetrain problems.
- Just as last year, Corvette Racing put its rival under
pressure in the closing stages of the race. When a setback during a
safety car period cost the team valuable track position, Gavin, Beretta
and Magnussen resolutely began to chase down the leader, trimming seconds
from the Aston Martin's margin throughout each stint.
- "It was an epic battle between two great warriors,"
said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "We've yet to
come upon competition that can provide us the spirit of racing such
as the Aston Martin Prodrive team. It's just sad that only one team
could win. We put on a hell of a show."
- The No. 63 Corvette's star-crossed weekend continued
when it pitted at 1:20 p.m. in a cloud of smoke from the transmission.
The crews from both cars went to work, removing, rebuilding and reinstalling
the overheated gearbox. One hour and nine minutes later, Johnny O'Connell
rejoined the fray.
- "The rules don't allow you to replace the complete
transmission, but you can rebuild it," explained team manager Gary
Pratt. "We had a gearbox issue in Sebring, but we didn't expect
it here, and it might have been the result of one problem creating another
problem.
- "What those guys did was unbelievable,"
said Pratt. "Teamwork is what it's all about. Whichever car wins,
the whole team wins."
- CORVETTE RACING QUOTES:
- Olivier Beretta: "The key to our success was
to never give up. Once again Le Mans proved to be race that isn't won
until the checkered flag is out. We had a difficult moment during the
night when Ollie hit an LMP car and we subsequently got some vibrations.
Then we had a refueling problem and all of a sudden we were almost a
lap down. We then could sit back and give up, or push and see if the
race could come back to us. We decided to push and a couple of hours
from the end we started biting big chunks out of their lead. Then they
hit problems and the race fell back our way. This third consecutive
GT win is the combined work of a very dedicated crew of mechanics, top-class
engineers and visionary decision makers. I can't wait to come back for
more in 2007!"
- Oliver Gavin: "As always it was a fantastic race,
super hard all the way against the Aston Martins. And once again everybody
dug deep. This race is a testament to everybody involved who has worked
so hard. It's been a truly remarkable result to win three in a row against
a super professional team like Prodrive. There were moments when you
thought, this is going to be tough, when you felt the race falling away
from you, but we just hung in there until it came back to us."
- Jan Magnussen: "It was a very tough race, all
24 hours of it. We pushed all the way, and after we hit problems we
didn't sit back. We didn't want the race to run away from us. By daylight
we were almost a lap down but we just kept pushing and pushing until
the Astons failed, and eventually they did. We never got any presents,
we earned this win!"
- Johnny O'Connell: "This is the hardest race in
the world, and you run two cars in case something happens to one of
them. Today gives me more motivation for the rest of this season and
to come back to Le Mans next year. I'm so proud of everyone on the No.
63 Corvette C6.R, and everyone at Corvette Racing. The effort they put
in is unreal. The guys in the 64 car are continuing their amazing run
of good results, and if Ron and I are going to beat them, we're going
to have to do everything right. This is a very special time in Corvette
history - five Le Mans wins in six years is an incredible record against
very stiff competition."
- Max Papis: "Today the No. 63 car showed the team
spirit of Corvette Racing. We fought hard, it wasn't our day, but it
was the No. 64's day and a Corvette day. When you fight this hard, when
the win comes it's going to be sweeter. With Olivier, Jan and Oliver
winning, I feel I have a little part in it because we all contribute
to the effort. Hats off to them."
QUALIFYING
- KRISTENSEN (AUDI): "I
have great respect for this race even though I've already won it seven
times ... Le Mans is even more special
this year with the new Audi. The diesel project is brand new, that's
why we all have butterflies in the stomach. Nobody has done anything
similar before. The Audi technicians have worked hard and brilliantly."
GRID
- 1 AUDI - Capello, Kristessen, McNish, 3m 30.466 (Audi
R10 V12 TDI)
- 2 AUDI - Biela, Pirro, Werner
+0.118s (Audi R10 V12 TDI)
- 3 PESCAROLO - Collard, Comas, Minassian +2.11 (Pescarolo
C60H Judd)
- 4 PESCAROLO - Helary, Loeb, Montagny +2.52 (Pescarolo
C60H Judd)
- 5 COURAGE - Gounon, Nakano, Kurosawa +3.6 (Courage
LC70 Mugen)
- 6 DOME - Lammers, Johansson, Yoong (Dome S101H Judd)
- 7 CREATION - Ortiz, Campbell- Walker, Gabbiani (Creation
CA06/ H Judd)
- 8 COURAGE - Primat, Fassler, Peter (Courage LC70 Judd)
- 9 LOLA - Evans, Owen, Berridge (Lola B05/40 AER)
- 10 COURAGE - Frei, Hancock, Fisken
(Courage LC70 Judd)
GT1
CLASS
- 19 ASTON MARTIN - Sarrazin, Lamy, Ortelli 3m 52.561
(Aston Martin DBR9)
GT2
CLASSs
- 36
PORSCHE - Dumas, Narac, Ricitelli 4m 03.438 (Porsche 911 GT3-RSR)
AUDI QUALIFYING REPORT
TOP
OF PAGE
- Audi claims pole with TDI Power at Le Mans
- Both Audi R10 TDI cars on the front row at Le Mans
Dindo Capello fastest in final qualifying Superb performance of Audi
Sport Team Joest In qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hour race, Audi yet
again demonstrated in a stunning way the performance of TDI Power. The
brace of new Audi R10 TDI cars were by far the quickest in final qualifying.
The two sportscars powered by 650-hp diesel engines will start from
the front row on Saturday at 1700 hrs.
- After rain had affected the first qualifying on Wednesday,
the conditions on Thursday evening were dry and perfect. In the first
part of the final qualifying session, the Audi drivers concentrated
on fine- tuning their R10 TDI cars before Audi Sport Team Joest headed
for the top of the time sheets at the beginning of the last section.
Shortly after 2200 hrs, Dindo Capello and Marco Werner set lap times
beyond the reach of the opposition powered by petrol engines.
- Setting a time of 3m 30.466s, Dindo Capello scored
his third Le Mans pole position following 2001 and 2002. A mere 0.118
seconds behind, Marco Werner completed an all Audi R10 TDI front row.
- Capello, who turns 42 on Saturday, did not only present
himself with an early birthday present. He also rewarded the work of
his mechanics who completely dismantled and re-assembled the Audi R10
TDI with start number 7 for safety reasons after an accident on Wednesday.
Just in time for final qualifying, the R10 TDI was ready again.
- Dindo Capello starts at Le Mans together with record
winner Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. Frank Biela shares driving duties
in the "sister car" with Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner.
All six drivers have won the Le Mans 24 Hour race at least once. However,
a diesel- powered car has never won in the history of the Le Mans endurance
classic. For the first time, Audi accepts this challenge this weekend.
- Quotes after qualifying
- Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "This
result is an incredibly good base to build on for the race as we have
consequently used both qualifying sessions to develop the cars for the
race. We have achieved the times with a race set-up -- and with a soft
tyre compound for the race. We've seen on the test day already that
we can achieve good lap times with these tyres for three or four consecutive
laps. With a set of 'qualifiers', there is only one fast lap possible.
We didn't want to risk running into traffic with them. This strategy
paid off. Both teams have displayed a strong performance and did excellent
work as we had a damaged car last night. Everybody maintained a good
team spirit and worked hard, so the front row is the reward for the
whole team. However, we still have to tackle the more important part
of the weekend."
- Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #7): "This is my present
for the team which made a great job after my mistake yesterday. I felt
so sorry for them that I struggled to sleep in the night. We know this
is racing and part of our job, but I really felt bad. I wanted to give
them something back. And fortunately it happened. This is my third pole
position at Le Mans -- and something I'm proud of. Thanks to the Audi
R10 TDI! We did only 20 percent of our job here being on pole. The rest
we have to do on Saturday and Sunday."
- Tom Kristensen (Audi R10 TDI #7): "An all Audi
front row at our first time at Le Mans with a TDI engine -- now the
world knows that diesel is very sporty. With quick lap times, Dindo
(Capello) and Marco (Werner) did great jobs in qualifying without taking
too much risk. Allan (McNish) and I concentrated on the race setup and
now we are going into the 24 hours as confident as we can. You can't
predict anything at Le Mans because you always have to expect the un-expected.
But we did our job and now we are ready."
- Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #7): "Everyone at Audi
Sport Team Joest can be proud that we've secured the first diesel front
row at Le Mans -- both Dindo and Marco were great. A lot of hard work
and effort has gone into this achievement. I'm a little surprised by
the lack of pace shown by the Pescarolos tonight but I'm certain that
their challenge has not disappeared. The car balance is good and the
tyres are working well. We have good options for wet or dry race conditions."
- Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #8): "This is a fantastic
result for Audi. Both cars qualified on the front row. Our car with
number 8 is just one tenth behind the pole. The performance is there,
the car felt really good. We found a good balance, especially for the
race. Everybody was happy. Now we have to keep fingers crossed for the
race."
- Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #8): "It's just fantastic
and I am absolutely thrilled. We had two trouble-free qualifying sessions,
our Audi R10 TDI feels good and we did fast lap times. Personally I
don't like so much being on pole position for some superstitious reasons,
so the result is simply perfect. So far we proved that TDI technology
can be fast. Now it's our job in the race to show that it is long lasting
as well."
- Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #8): "Congratulations
to Audi and to Dindo. We both drove good laps. There is nothing left
to be desired. Both Audi R10 TDI cars qualified for the front row. We
have achieved our goals. Now I hope that we will have the luck on our
side in the race."
- Ralf Juttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest):
"The Le Mans 24 Hour race is the competition that counts this year
-- and we start from pole position. Again, we were able to show that
the Audi R10 TDI is a car that is on a level playing field with the
'normal' race cars. We didn't do qualifying set-ups. Again, it turned
out to be true that a good race car can achieve a fast qualifying lap.
Both Dindo and Marco used this to show good performances. If you look
at how evenly both cars were matched, both drivers and teams exploited
the potential perfectly. It is important that the drivers feel comfortable
in the car. Hence we should have a good chance in the race as well.
The first step has been done, even if this is only a very small step
at Le Mans. Nonetheless, it is a good motivation for the whole project.
This is a good mood to start the race on Saturday."
ASTON MARTIN (GT1) QUALIFYING REPORT
TOP
OF PAGE
- Aston Martin Racing Takes Sensational Pole Position
at Le Mans
- Aston Martin Racing dominated the final GT1 qualifying
session for the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours. Its two DBR9s stormed to the
top of the timesheets, taking first and second places, with Czech driver
Tomas Enge taking a record fifth consecutive pole position at the La
Sarthe circuit.
- Thankfully, the heavy rainfall that marred yesterday's
sessions abated today and both qualifying sessions were run in ideal
conditions. Lap times improved as more rubber was laid down and Enge
set his fastest lap with just 15 minutes of the second two-hour session
remaining.
- George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal, Aston Martin
Racing commented: "We're very pleased with that. Everything went
to plan; we ran through our race preparations and double-stinted the
tyres, which worked well for us. Then, right at the end we did a few
laps on low fuel and new tyres to set a time.
- "The only issue we had was a minor brake issue
on car 007 at the end of session one. It was caused by a bit of debris
and was easily rectified. We must now focus on the race and work methodically
through our usual preparations. But so far so good."
- 2nd QUALIFYING (1900-2100hrs; 2200-2400hrs)
- CAR 007: 1st GT1 (20th overall) 3:52.015s
Drivers: Darren Turner, Andrea Piccini, Tomas Enge
- As was the case yesterday, Turner drove first. He completed
two stints and double-stinted his set of Michelin tyres. Piccini then
took over to complete further trouble-free laps, before handing over
to Enge, who had a minor brake issue caused by some debris. The problem
was easily rectified and when Enge was given the car at the end of session
two, the track was at its fastest and he duly delivered pole position.
- Tomas Enge (Czech Republic): "I'm very happy to
have taken pole position today. It means a lot, but I could have done
a better time, but I hit traffic in the last sector. We know that we
have a good car here; we must now make no mistakes in the race."
- Darren Turner (Britain): "I'm happy with how things
went today. These were my first dry laps of the track this year, so
it was very useful. The overall balance of the car wasn't perfect during
my stint, but it was driveable."
- Andrea Piccini (Italy): "After the wet weather
of yesterday, we had to re-learn braking points today and get used to
the cars in the dry. The track was quite green to begin with, but it
improved a lot."
- CAR 009: 2nd GT1 (21st overall) 3:52.561s
Drivers: Pedro Lamy, Stephane Sarrazin, Stephane Ortelli
- Lamy drove to begin with, completing consistently fast
laps before handing over to Sarrazin, who went even quicker to end the
first session on provisional pole position. Sarrazin drove first in
session two, before handing the car to Ortelli, and then taking it back
at the end of the session to set a time just 0.5s behind Enge.
- Pedro Lamy (Portugal): "I drove in the first session
only, but I still managed to complete a lot of laps. The tyres were
fine when I double- stinted them and I was quite happy with the car."
- Stephane Ortelli (Monaco): "I drove some fast
laps at the end of my stint, but I didn't want to risk anything because
I didn't want to make a mistake in such a beautiful car. We're back
to where we were in pre- qualifying and the car feels good."
- Stephane Sarrazin (France): "Our lap times prove
that we have a very good car. I drove some good laps and had no issues
at all. The car was quick at the end, which bodes well for the race."
RACE
PREVIEW TOP
OF PAGE
AUDI LE MANS 24 HOURS PREVIEW
- Audi fights for Le Mans victory with TDI Power
- Le Mans debut for the new Audi R10 TDI The chance
for Audi to write motorsport history Six 'old-hands' drive a pair of
Diesel sportscars
- After 30,000km of testing and approximately 1,500
hours on the engine dynamometers, things get serious: AUDI AG fights
for overall victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) as
the first ever automobile manufacturer with a diesel engine.
- That this target is extremely ambitious but in
no way unrealistic, was proven by Audi in March when the new R10 TDI
won the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA) on its race debut -- an impressive
demonstration of Audi TDI Power. And all this less than four months
after the very first exploratory laps made by the revolutionary Diesel
sportscar.
- Audi has already won the 24 Hours of Le Mans
five times with the R8. If one includes the Bentley victory during the
2003 season with the Speed 8, in which an Audi Sport developed TFSI
engine propelled that car, then Audi technology is unbeaten in the world's
most demanding car race since 2000.
- Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich wants
the team to continue this winning streak. However, the challenge this
time around is bigger than ever before, since TDI Technology has never
been pushed to its limits in motorsport. Audi is the first automobile
manufacturer to face this challenge. In addition, the Audi R10 is the
first sportscar with a Diesel engine to be developed in accordance with
the new ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) LM P1 regulations. Therefore,
the Audi Sport technicians did not only have to prepare themselves for
the peculiarities of TDI Technology, but also to exploit the specifications
dictated by the new regulations in order to set new benchmarks with
TDI Power in the most technologically interesting motorsport category
found around the globe today.
- The aluminium V12 power unit in the R10 TDI produces
650 hp. Even more remarkable is the maximum torque of over 1100 Newton
metres. Tyres, clutch and gearbox must come to terms, just like the
drivers, with these enormous forces -- and all this over a 24 hour period.
- With Frank Biela, Dindo Capello, Le Mans record
winner Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner,
six seasoned campaigners compete for Audi who all know how to win at
Le Mans. The same can be said of Audi Sport Team Joest which runs both
the cars.
- The brace of Audi R10 TDI prototypes reeled off
their first laps around the 13.650 kilometre long "Circuit des
24 Heures" in Le Mans less than 14 days before the start of the
race at the official test day on 4 June -- the only opportunity to test
on the circuit, which partly runs over public roads closed for the event.
- After the test day, the two R10 TDI prototypes
were stripped, checked and reassembled. A short function-check was scheduled
for Wednesday, 7 June on the "Circuit Bugatti" at Le Mans,
in which the engines for qualifying and the race were fitted.
- The grid positions will be decided on Wednesday
and Thursday between 1900-2100 and 2200-2400 (local time). The start
of the race follows on Saturday at 1700, an hour later than normal at
Le Mans because of the World Cup football match between Portugal and
Iran.
- The Pan-European television station Motors TV,
transmitted via satellite and cable in 32 European countries, broadcasts
"live" from Le Mans for more than 48 hours and shows the race
in full length. Furthermore, Premiere transmits a "live" signal
in Germany. Numerous international TV stations are planning features
about the Le Mans race. More than 220,000 spectators are expected on
site during the event.
- Audi has the chance to write motorsport history
on 17/18 June 2006. "However, we also know just how ambitious this
goal is and that you need 'lady luck' riding on your side especially
at Le Mans," stresses Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.
- Quotes before the Le Mans 24 Hours
- Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport:
"For Audi, Le Mans is the most important race of the year. The
R10 TDI is a completely new car with an all-new engine with which we
would like to demonstrate the performance of Audi TDI Power, without,
however, having Le Mans experience with this package. We have tested
intensively and are well prepared. But we know that we can encounter
many unexpected things and that a Le Mans victory depends on many factors."
- Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #8): "Le Mans
is the greatest sportscar race in the world. It's always something very
special for me to drive at Le Mans -- even more with special projects.
The R8 was the first Audi sportscar. The R10 TDI is the first prototype
with a TDI engine and again something extraordinary. The car was very
good from the beginning, we had to address only some small issues. We've
seen at Sebring that the car has the speed. It is also reliable. However,
for such a long race you have always to keep your fingers crossed."
- Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #7): "I've been
driving a TDI privately for ten years. Obviously the V12 TDI of the
R10 is much more powerful, but there are some things in comparison to
the road cars, especially with regard to the torque, how quiet the engine
is and the way it starts. The R10 TDI is really beautiful to drive.
It's probably the race car I like most in my entire career. The power
you get at low revs is something unique. We want to repeat our Sebring
victory, but we know how difficult this will be and that it is impossible
to make a forecast for such a long race."
- Tom Kristensen (Audi R10 TDI #7): "Le Mans
is a new challenge every year. I have great respect for this race even
though I've already won it seven times. Le Mans is even more special
this year with the new Audi R10 TDI. The Diesel project is brand new,
that's why we all have butterflies in the stomach. Nobody has done anything
similar before. The Audi technicians have worked hard and brilliantly.
We need to have solutions for all the little niggles that definitely
will come up during the race. We know we can rely on our team. Allan,
Dindo and I will give our part and drive as fast and consistently as
possible."
- Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #7): "I've won
Le Mans before with another manufacturer and have finished second and
third with Audi. So definitely there is one trophy missing: that's first
position with Audi. To do it at the first race at Le Mans for the Audi
R10 TDI would be a fantastic feeling. Driving a Diesel is different
in the way you drive the car. But as a racing driver I'm only looking
at the end result. The engine is very powerful and economical, and also
a little bit quieter to drive -- this gives us an advantage. Despite
that I try not to have too many expectations for Le Mans. The one thing
you learn when you are there is that you can always expect the unexpected.
The race will be very difficult."
- Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #8): "Without
sounding arrogant, when you drive an Audi, your only target is the victory.
When I heard about the Le Mans Diesel project for the first time, I
was really hoping to be a part of it. Now the dream is coming true and
it would be nice to score a victory. We have the chance to make history.
But the R10 TDI is very complex and full of high-technology. You realise
this when you see how many engineers are working on this project. At
the beginning it was a little bit strange to drive a Diesel, but now
I feel almost at home as with the R8."
- Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #8): "I don't
drive so many races this year, so obviously I hope that I will be able
to achieve a good Le Mans result. But I have no different approach compared
to the previous years. Le Mans is simply the most important race of
the year. I've won many important races: the Formula 3 Grand Prix in
Monaco when I was a young and upcoming driver, later the 24 Hours of
Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring -- to win Le Mans last year was
still something very special. When you have been once at Le Mans you
know that you can't compare this race to any other race."
- Ralf Juttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team
Joest): "Expectations are clear: We don't come to Le Mans to finish
second or third. We want to become the first ones to win the 24 Hours
of Le Mans with a Diesel engine. This target is very ambitious. We have
strong competition, the R10 TDI project is very complex and still at
an early stage. It will be even more important than before this year
to drive 24 hours without problems -- technically, but also from the
drivers' point of view. During the preparation for the race we've done
everything that was possible."
MICHELIN LE MANS 24 HOURS PREVIEW TOP
OF PAGE
- 2006 - a year of technological challenges
for Michelin
- A fundamental fixture of Michelin's calendar
for many years, Le Mans has carved out a unique place in motor sport
history and in the hearts of racings fans the world over. Some 21 million
viewers followed the 2005 race, while 230,000 spectators packed into
the circuit twelve months ago to watch Audi'sTom Kristensen claim a
record seventh win and Corvette's and Porsche's triumphs inGT1 and GT2.
This time round there will be just as many to witness the Le Mans debut
of the Audi R10-Michelin, as well as the anticipated showdowns in their
respective categories between Aston Martin and Chevrolet and between
Ferrari and Porsche.
- Performance, impeccable reliability, pugnacity,
reactivity, clockwork-like organisation, team spirit despite the often
individualistic side to the sport and, above all, passion... These are
all ingredients it takes to win the Le Mans 24 Hours. And a victory
in the French classic is priceless. No, that's notquite true. It does
have a price: that of all the hard work that goes into painstakingly
preparing the event in the months prior to the start, and then all the
way to the chequered flag!
- It is doubtlessly for this reason that Le Mans
has written some of the finest chapters in world class motor sport history.
Legends based on drivers, teams, people, the industry, unforgettable
on-track clashes and major automotive breakthroughs abound. Today, prestigious
names like Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston-Martin and Chevrolet are all
active in the discipline with a view to developing new technologies
and/ or promoting a dynamic image of their make across the planet. Meanwhile,
privateers such as Pescarolo-Sport, RML and Russian Age Racing produce
a very special effort to rival with the factory teams.
- For Michelin, the 2006 Le Mans 24 Hours stands
out as a capital challenge. To begin with, the aim will be to claim
a 15th victory in the French classic - which would make it nine Michelin
wins in a row! - and to accompany its factory and privateer teams to
the very top. On top of that, this year has seen the Clermont-Ferrand
firm join forces with Audi in its formidable adventure of bringing diesel
power into top flight motor sport. Michelin is proud to have been chosen
by its partners to rise to all these different challenges. "The
philosophy of the ACO has always been to promote new technologies,"
says Frederic Henry - Biabaud, Competition Director of the Michelin
Group. "This philosophy in turn permits Michelin to be involved
with its manufacturer partners to develop new technologies and innovate
at their sides. For Michelin, endurance racing is a tremendous springboard
for research and innovation."
CORVETTE LE MANS 24 HOUR PREVIEW TOP
OF PAGE
- Corvette Racing Seeks Fifth Class Title in 24
Hours of Le Mans
- Classic 24-Hour Endurance Race to Feature Intense
Competition in GT1 Class
- LE MANS, France - Corvette Racing races to win
in every event, but if there is one victory that every team member prizes,
it's the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This classic 24-hour endurance contest
is sports car racing's Olympics, World Cup and Super Bowl, all compressed
into one frenetic day and night of round-the-clock competition. Four
times in the last five years, the yellow Corvettes have finished first
and second in the GT1 class. On June 17-18, the Chevrolet factory team's
iconic Corvettes will be gunning for their fifth Le Mans title.
- Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen
stood on the top step of the podium at Le Mans in 2004-05 after back-to-back
victories in their No. 64 Corvette. In 2001, Johnny O'Connell and Ron
Fellows teamed with Scott Pruett in the No. 63 Corvette to take the
class honors, and in 2002 O'Connell and Fellows repeated the feat with
Gavin as the third driver. This year's Le Mans lineup reflects the consistency
that is the hallmark of Corvette Racing, reprising the same driver and
car combinations as in 2005: Gavin, Beretta and Magnussen in the No.
64 Compuware Corvette C6.R, and Fellows, O'Connell and Max Papis in
the No. 63 Compuware Corvette C6.R.
- "Le Mans is the Holy Grail of sports car
racing," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan as the
team began final preparations for the race. "There is nothing like
it in the world. Many in America don't comprehend the importance of
Le Mans in the global automotive community, with more than 2,000 journalists
covering the event, nearly 300,000 spectators at the track, and millions
watching the worldwide television coverage.
- "We're going into Le Mans with a winning
attitude after a victory in the grueling 12-hour Sebring race, 1-2 finishes
in Houston and Mid-Ohio, and a very productive test in Le Mans on June
4," Fehan continued. "We're now totally focused on the most
important sports car race on the planet."
- Corvette Racing's assault on the La Sarthe circuit
is planned with the precision of a missile launch and the determination
of the D-Day invasion. Every nut, bolt, sensor and spare part must be
cataloged and shipped to Le Mans from the team's headquarters in Michigan.
The first installment was dispatched weeks ago by sea - a 64,000-pound
18- wheel tractor/trailer filled with essential equipment and supplies,
ranging from pit carts to peanut butter. A second shipment was airlifted
to France just days after the Mid-Ohio race, a precious cargo that included
the two race cars and 13,000 pounds of parts.
- "The challenges at Le Mans are huge,"
Fehan noted. "Corvette Racing has competed in the 24 Hours of Le
Mans since 2000, and with six years of experience we now understand
the essentials of the race - building cars that can run for 24 hours
and selecting drivers with the discipline required for endurance racing.
Everything that leads up to the race is the true challenge. We ship
tons of equipment overseas, and all of that must be coordinated. We
have great partners in Europe who help us to assemble the infrastructure
that supports the team. It takes months and months of planning to prepare
for this single 24-hour race."
- The 24 Hours of Le Mans is contested on the high-speed
8.5-mile Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, which comprises both the purpose-built
Bugatti race circuit and two-lane country roads. This year's race is
the 74th running of the event, which has been contested annually since
1923, except during and immediately following World War II.
- "The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the second oldest
auto race in the world, and you can feel its history and tradition,"
said Johnny O'Connell, a three-time class winner at Le Mans. "I've
raced in the Indy 500, and I can tell you that this race is every bit
as big, every bit as spectacular, and about 21 hours more difficult.
- "Maybe it's the sign of a person who's not
playing with a full deck, but it was always one of my goals to race
at night at Le Mans, in the rain, driving nearly 200 mph," O'Connell
revealed. "I've done that, and it's a pretty neat life experience.
Corvette Racing goes to Le Mans to compete with the best of the best,
and our record there says a lot about the professionalism of this team."
- Last year's GT1 contest became a battle royal
between Corvette Racing and Aston Martin Racing that was fought in temperatures
approaching 100 degrees F. The race wasn't decided until the final two
hours; up to that point, the Corvettes and Aston Martins were on the
same lap. The class-winning Corvette C6.R completed 349 laps (2,960
miles) and made 27 pit stops.
- "I expect another great race," O'Connell
predicted. "The Aston Martin team has strong credentials and an
experienced driver lineup. The Saleen is going to be tough, and there
is a Corvette C5-R that we'll have to worry about because it is allowed
to run a larger intake air restrictor than our Corvette C6.Rs. I also
see competition from the independent Aston Martins and Ferraris. If
we are fortunate enough to win, we'll be able to say that we beat one
of the strongest GT1 fields in history."
- Three-time Le Mans winner Oliver Gavin agreed:
"Winning Le Mans is like solving a jigsaw puzzle," he said.
"You must have all of the pieces in place - a great car like the
Corvette C6.R, teammates who are fast and fully focused, and a crew
that performs perfectly. It's a real test of endurance for the car,
the drivers and the team. By the time it's finished, you've been up
for nearly 40 hours, and those last few hours can be the hardest."
- Corvette's racing heritage at Le Mans began 46
years ago when four Corvettes started the 24-hour marathon. Corvette
Racing's recent success at Le Mans has enhanced Corvette's standing
as one of the world's premier performance marques.
- "We have a saying that we race around the
clock and win around the world," explained Corvette marketing manager
Gary Claudio. "The coverage that the 24 Hours of Le Mans receives
has propelled Corvette and Chevrolet onto the world stage. The people
who own Corvettes are very aware of the product, and they understand
how racing enhances the cars that they drive.
- "The chemistry within Corvette Racing is
amazing," Claudio declared. "They want to win, and they are
proud to represent Corvette and Chevrolet around the world. They're
racers."
- On June 17-18, the men and women of Corvette
Racing will be working flat-out to win the Big One.
TOP OF PAGE |
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WINNERS
- 2006: Audi
- 2005: Audi
- 2004: Audi
- 2003: Bentley
- 2002: Audi
- 2001: Audi
- 2000: Audi
|
WINNERS include:
Tom Kristensen
2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997
Frank Biela
2006, 2002, 2001, 2000
Allan McNish
1998
JJ Lehto
1995
|
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