Audi closes on another LMP1 title

Braselton, Ga. – After six consecutive championships in the American Le Mans Series' LMP1 class, another might seem "old hat" for Audi. That is far from the case as the German marque is closing in on another title, this time with a revolutionary prototype that has taken the sports car world by storm.

The diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI is unbeaten in its four starts around the world – including three in the American Le Mans Series. Combined with a perfect 3-0 mark in class for the now-retired Audi R8, Audi Sport North America is well on its way toward its seventh championship in as many seasons in North America. The next step is the Generac 500 at Road America, Round 7 of the 2006 season.

"I felt if we had reliability, we could compete," said Allan McNish, who leads the drivers championship with teammate Dindo Capello. "The team and driver lineups had won in America before with the R8, and we just had to wait to see what the R10 TDI was like as well as seeing the competition, which is getting stronger each race."

McNish and Capello have a 39-point advantage over Dyson Racing's James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger, and the Audi factory team has a 43-point edge in the team standings over the independent Dyson Racing squad heading into Road America, where Audi is unbeaten in four starts. Little is being taken for granted though, as the R10 TDI is making its maiden ventures at each of the remaining three venues on the schedule.

"Allan and I must drive with one eye on the championship, which means we cannot afford a non-finish and want to score as many points as possible to protect our lead," Capello said.

New York-based Dyson Racing has struggled at times with its two new Lola B06/10-AERs, but the last two rounds have given renewed optimism. The two Lolas had the front row to themselves in qualifying at Portland and showed the pace and reliability that could make the last four rounds go down to the wire.

But since Le Mans, Dyson has had to challenge not just the McNish/Capello Audi, but also the R10 TDI of defending Series champions and 2006 Le Mans winners Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro.

"It's clear that we are competing to help Dindo and Allan in their fight for the title," Pirro said. "We nevertheless want to make a strong showing as we did at Salt Lake City and Portland and obviously win if possible."

The Generac 500 at Road America, Round 7 of the 2006 American Le Mans Series, is scheduled for 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday, August 20. The race will be televised live by SPEED at 3 p.m. EDT, and MotorsTV will broadcast the race live to Europe from 9 p.m. to midnight CET. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA Live Timing & Scoring will be available at http://www.americanlemans.com