It was a strong showing for the Audi R8 LMS in its debut race in the ILMC series. Darrel O’Young brought the no98 Audi Sport C Racing R8 LMS across the line to win the 6 Hours of Zhuhai. The win did not come easy with Team AMG Mercedes SLS GT3 leading the first two hours and then everything changed.

As we watched, the Mercedes came to pit lane for what seemed to be a normal pitstop but then was wheeled into the garage where it stayed and eventually retired after 73 laps.

From that point on the no98 Audi Sport C Racing R8 LMS had a three lap led over the no97 Audi Race Experience R8 LMS.

The no94 Hitotsuyama Racing Audi R8 LMS retired in the final hour after 169 laps complete.

Along with teammates Edoardo Mortara and Alexandre Imperatori, this win marks a great future for the R8 LMS in the 2012 WEC.

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1. Audi R18 TDI’s qualify 3-4 for ILMC Zhuhai

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Heading in to the final round of the 2011 ILMC series, Peugeot has shown it has the upper hand at Zhuhai. The 908′s have been swapping the top two positions during all practice sessions and now qualifying.

Audi held the top spot in one of the private sessions on Wednesday where Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish led with a 1:31.196. This was also held in wet conditions.

Zhuhai is a demanding track with sharp, slow corners after long straights. Brakes and tires will be the focus over six hours of racing. Aerodynamics is crucial as well heading in and out of these corners.

The R18 TDI’s have the pace, only 0.269 and 0.769 seconds off pole position.

Peugeot won in 201 with Audi, Peugeot and Audi in tow. As a brand, Audi has a great amount riding on a win.

Tune-in with Audi.tv for full 6 Hours of Zhuhai live

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1. Peugeot 908′s lead second Zhuhai practice today

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With the Mercedes SLS AMG GT having the upper hand in all three practice sessions, it was Edoardo Mortara nailing an incredible 1:34.777 in the no98 Audi Sport C Racing R8 LMS to take pole position in the GTC class.

Mortara, who comes over from Audi DTM, was only 0.271 off the no55 BMW Motorsport GTE-Pro car. Mortara had also stepped in the R8 LMS for the first time this week.

Carlo van Dam of Hitotsuyama Racing would follow up with a 1:34.934 in the no94 Audi R8 LMS.

Six cars back, Hakkinen / Team AMG would pull up in third with a 1:35.296.

The remaining Audi R8 LMS was 27th overall with a 1:36.417

Tune-in with Audi.tv for full 6 Hours of Zhuhai live

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1. Both Peugeot 908′s on top after first Zhuhai practice today

You're reading Edo Mortara, Audi R8 LMS secure ILMC Zhuhai GTC pole originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

Although a bit slower than the first session, both Peugeot 908′s topped the timing chart again. It would also end up in the same order. This time, Montagny would lap Zhuhai in 1:23.321 with Davidson in the no7 Peugeot following with a 1:23.504.

Tom Kristensen hit a 1:23.860 with Fassler pulling a 1:24.389. Both R18 TDI times were hundredths off first practice. Consistency vs. overall speed?

Another duplicate of this mornings performance was in the GTC class. The Mercedes SLS AMG was fastest over the 3 Audi R8 LMS teams. A 1:35.788 put them a clear 1.467 over the no98 Audi Sport C Racing R8 LMS.

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1. Both Peugeot 908′s on top after first Zhuhai practice today

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A change in the weather proceeded the first practice from Zhuhai this morning. Peugeot held a 1-2 after a red-flag put a halt on the session.

Sarrazin lapped the Zhuhai circuit in 1:21.999 with Bourdais/Davidson in the no7 Peugeot with a 1:22.495.

The Audi R18 TDI’s followed up in third and forth. The team of Kristensen/McNish hit a 1:23.608 with Bernard/Fassler pulling a 1:24.312.

In GTC, the Mercedes SLS AMG was fastest over the 3 Audi R8 LMS teams. A 1:36.930 put them a clear 0.037 over the no94 Hitotsuyama Racing R8 LMS.

The GTC times are inline with both GTE-Pro and GTE-Am.

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1. Audi R18 TDI and Audi R8 LMS head to ILMC Zhuhai this weekend

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The wet conditions continued as the teams headed out for the second practice session today. With the weather staying the same, we saw a change in the leaders along with faster times.

Audi’s Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish ended up on top with a fast 1:31.196 topping the Bourdais / Davidson no7 Peugeot by .633 seconds.

Bernhard / Fassler hit a 1:32.174 for third in the no1 Audi R18 TDI.

In GTC, Team AMG China topped the charts over the two Audi R8 LMS teams.

ILMC Zhuhai
LM P1
1. #2 Audi Sport Team Joest (Audi R18 TDI) Kristensen-McNish 1:31.196
2. #7 Peugeot Sport Total (Peugeot 908) Bourdais-Davidson 1:31.829
3. #1 Audi Sport Team Joest (Audi R18 TDI) Bernhard-Fassler 1:32.174
4. #12 Rebellion Racing (Lola-Toyota) Jani-Prost 1:33.808
5. #8 Peugeot Sport Total (Peugeot 908) Montagny-Sarrazin 1:34.212
6. #15 Oak Racing (Oak Pescarolo-Judd) Lahaye-Moreau-Ragues 1:34.695
7. #007 Aston Martin Racing (Lola Aston Martin) Meyrick-Mucke-Primat 1:37.714
8. #24 Oak Racing (Oak Pescarolo-Judd) Nicolet-Premat-Pla 1:39.050
9. #23 Tokai Univ Ygk Power (Courage-Oreca) Shogo-Naoki

GTC
1. #96 Team AMG China (Mercedes SLS AMG GT3) Cheng-Arnold-Hakkinen 1:45.038
2. #98 Audi Sport C Racing China (Audi R8 LMS) Mortara-O’Young-Imperatori 1:45.706
3. #97 Audi Race Experience (Audi R8 LMS) Lee-Gruber-Tak Mak 1:46.788

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1. Peugeot tops ILMC Zhuhai first practice

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In a rain filled private test at Zhuhai, Peugeot wound up on top of the timing sheets ahead of the no2 Audi R18 TDI. Sebastien Bourdais lapped in a 1:34.080 to put the no7 Peugeot 908 on top. A 1:34.757 would be the best Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish could swing.

The no8 Peugeot of Montagny / Sarrazin pulled up in third with a 1:35.012 followed by the no1 Audi R18 of Bernhard / Fassler.

The big news is that Audi will have three R8 LMS customers teams running this weekend. These cars are running in the GTC classThe no97 Audi Race Experience was at the top of the charts with a 1:46.171. Audi Sport C Racing China was second with a 1:46.718 ahead of the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3. Hitotsuyama Racing did not take part.

Proton Competition did not take part and is the only team on the entry list with a Porsche. They will be racing in the GTE-Am class.

LM P1
1. #7 Peugeot Sport Total (Peugeot 908) Bourdais-Davidson 1:34.080
2. #2 Audi Sport Team Joest (Audi R18 TDI) Kristensen-McNish 1:34.757
3. #8 Peugeot Sport Total (Peugeot 908) Montagny-Sarrazin 1:35.012
4. #1 Audi Sport Team Joest (Audi R18 TDI) Bernhard-Fassler 1:35.305
5. #007 Aston Martin Racing (Lola Aston Martin) Meyrick-Mucke-Primat 1:38.995
6. #12 Rebellion Racing (Lola-Toyota) Jani-Prost 1:39.182
7. #24 Oak Racing (Oak Pescarolo-Judd) Nicolet-Premat-Pla 1:39.793
8. #15 Oak Racing (Oak Pescarolo-Judd) Lahaye-Moreau-Ragues 1:40.009
9. #23 Tokai Univ Ygk Power (Courage-Oreca) Shogo-Naoki

LM P2
1. #35 Oak Racing (Oak Pescarolo-Judd) Da Rocha-Lafargue 2:05.008

LM GTE Pro
1. #64 Lotus Jetalliance (Lotus Evora) Slingerland-Rich-Rasmussen 1:46.333
2. #55 BMW Motorsport (BMW M3) Farfus-Muller 1:46.669
3. #56 BMW Motorsport (BMW M3) Priaulx-Alzen 1:47.496
4. #58 Luxury Racing (Ferrari F458 Italia) Beltoise-Farnbacher-Firman
5. #59 Luxury Racing (Ferrari F458 Italia) Makowiecki-Ortelli
6. #65 Lotus Jetalliance (Lotus Evora) Rossiter-Mowlem-Heinemeier

LM GTE Am
1. #62 Crs Racing (Ferrari F430) Ehret-Mullen-Wills 1:44.994
2. #57 Krohn Racing (Ferrari F430) Krohn-Jonsson-Rugolo 1:48.723
3. #50 Larbre Competition (Corvette C6-ZR) Bornhauser-Canal-Beretta
4. #60 Gulf Amr Middle East (Aston Martin Vantage) Giroix-Goethe

FLM
1. #90 Ptrs Racing (Formula Le Mans) Shanqi-Chen 2:02.764

GTC
1. #97 Audi Race Experience (Audi R8 LMS) Lee-Gruber-Tak Mak 1:46.171
2. #98 Audi Sport C Racing China (Audi R8 LMS) Mortara-O’Young-Imperatori 1:46.718
3. #96 Team Amg China (Mercedes SLS AMG GT3) Cheng-Arnold-Hakkinen 1:47.317

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1. Peugeot claims pole at Silverstone with Audi right behind

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The weatherman was right, rain was headed to Silverstone and it made its appearance during ILMC qualifying today. Tomorrow’s 6 Hours of Silverstone should see the same.

Peugeot’s Simon Pagenaud would lay down a 1:43.924 on the damp Silverstone circuit and take pole. The rain was only coming down in certain spots which made it extremely difficult to put in a strong lap Pagenaud said.

Allan McNish was able to split the two Peugeots with a 1:44.856. The gap to Pagenaud was 0.932 seconds.

“It’s great to be back in the UK, particularly at Silverstone and its fantastic race track. Yesterday and today the weather has been very changeable and that will continue to be the case tomorrow. We need to closely watch the weather forecasts with respect to the set-up of our cars. We tried out various options in the past two days. It looks like there may be more rain tomorrow – and I’m hoping for us to be perfectly prepared for it. Allan – McNish – did a good job in qualifying. Now we’re exactly between the two Peugeot on the grid. That could mean that we’re in for a thrilling 6-hour race tomorrow.”

Stephane Sarrazin would round out the top three in the no8 Peugeot with a 1:45.102. The two Peugeot 908′s have been at the front all weekend.

The no1 Audi R18 TDI driven by Timo Bernhard ended up 4th after a spin in the rain. A 1:46.621 would end up just under 3 seconds off the pole position time.

“That was a difficult qualifying session. Just before the start, rain set in. On both of the two timed laps when the track offered the highest grip level I had to overtake two or three cars. At the end of my third flying lap the rain was really pouring down. It wasn’t possible to improve any more. So we were a bit unfortunate. But I think we can make up for that in the race – because our performance is right.”

6 Hours of Silverstone Qualifying results

1 Bourdais/Pagenaud – Peugeot – 1:43.924s
2 Kristensen/McNish – Audi R18 TDI – 1:44.856s
3 Montagny/Sarrazin – Peugeot – 1:45.102s
4 Bernhard/Fässler – Audi R18 TDI – 1:46.621s
5 Jani/Prost – Lola-Toyota – 1:47.684s
6 Lahaye/Moreau/Ragues – Oak-Pescarolo-Judd – 1:47.785s
7 Nicolet/Prémat/Pla – Oak-Pescarolo-Judd – 1:47.890s
8 Belicchi/Boullion – Lola-Toyota – 1:48.287s
9 Collard/Tinseau/Jousse – Pescarolo-Judd – 1:48.624s
10 Laventis/Watts/Kane – HPD – 1:49.619s

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1. LMS: Audi R18 TDI defeated in race debut at 1000k of Spa

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Everything leading up to the R18 TDi’s debut race seemed to be going perfectly. From the official Le Mans test days to Spa’s practice sessions and then qualifying, Audi was leading. Even what seemed to be disaster for the factory Peugeot team’s chances during qualifying actually ended up completely opposite for them. Gallery after the jump!

If you caught our qualification report, Peugeot missed it big-time. The strategy of waiting caused them a 12th, 18th and 50th on grid. With over 50 cars on track it and Audi in a 1-2-3 position, it was looking like Peugeot would be doomed. It also looked as if Audi would have an easy win. Wrong.

Within the first 15 minutes, all Peugeot 908′s are in the top ten with two in the top five.

Almost to the minute, Alexander Wurz pulls the no7 Peugeot 908 into the lead.

By the fourth hour, it’s a Peugeot 1-2-3.

Peugeot could have had a 1-2-3 sweep if Pedro Lamy kept the no9 on track. His off caused suspension damaged and while running in third, Pagenaud had to bring the car in. This gave the podium spot to Tom Kristensen.

Photos: © 2011 Loek Pictures | oneighturbo.com

[PR] Audi Sport Team Joest experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions on the new Audi R18 TDI’s race debut atSpa-Francorchamps (Belgium): After a perfect qualifying session and a great showing in the early phases of the race the three Audi R18 TDI cars occupied positions three, four and five.

At the beginning of the race the 34,600 spectators saw a strong performance of the new LMP1 sports car of AUDI AG. Andre Lotterer took the lead at the start and defended it almost up to his first pit stop. Timo Bernhard, who had started from pole, and Allan McNish (despite a spin on the first lap) were part of the action at the front of the field during the first hour as well and fought some thrilling duels with their rivals in heavy traffic.

• Capello/Kristensen/McNish clinch podium result at Spa
• Third, fourth and fifth places at R18 TDI’s first run in a race
• Strong performance in early phase went unrewarded

However, a number of minor incidents, which in total had major effects, caused all three Audi R18 TDI cars to lose ground. Andre Lotterer, who had a clear lead in the early phase, had to be pushed backward at his first pit stop and lost valuable time in the process. His team-mate Benoît Treluyer had to make an unscheduled stop after picking up an unusually large piece of rubber on his front left-hand tire. Shortly afterward the same phenomenon occurred again, causing the Frenchman to slide into the gravel trap and losing two laps. Marcel Fassler subsequently complained about a car that was too demanding to drive – he, too, was struggling with pick-up. In the end, the Audi R18 TDI designated as car number “2” finished fifth.

Timo Bernhard, who had started from pole position, suffered misfortune as well. In the battle for the top the rear of his car was touched by another vehicle in the fast “Blanchimont” sector. The rear hood and the diffuser were damaged in the incident. Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller were subsequently struggling with handling differences in left- and right-hand turns. Like the other two Audi R18 TDI vehicles car number “1” had to make a brief refueling stop shortly before the finish. With a two-lap gap Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller came fourth.

The first podium result for the new Audi R18 TDI was clinched by Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, who ,like last year, took third place at the Le Mans “dress rehearsal” at Spa. But the cockpit crew of car number “3” was also beaten below its potential. While a spin by Allan McNish on the starting lap had no consequences as the Scotsman quickly made up ground to the front of the field from 16th place, Dindo Capello on his stint accidentally activated the speed limiter for the pit lane and thus lost 20 seconds. After correcting the inflation pressure of the front tires Tom Kristensen was on the advance in the final phase: The Le Mans record winner was already setting his sights on the second-placed Peugeot when one hour before race end the left rear tire was suddenly losing air, which forced him to make an unscheduled pit stop. With a one-lap gap Capello/Kristensen/McNish ultimately finished in third place.

Results

1 Gene/Wurz/Davidson (Peugeot) 161 laps in 6h 02m 03.799s
2 Montagny/Sarrazin/Minassian (Peugeot) + 42.965s
3 Capello/Kristensen/McNish (Audi R18 TDI) – 1 lap
4 Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller (Audi R18 TDI) – 2 laps
5 Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer (Audi R18 TDI) – 3 laps
6 Collard/Tinseau/Jousse (Pescarolo-Judd) – 5 laps
7 Jani/Prost (Lola-Toyota) – 5 laps
8 Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud (Peugeot) – 6 laps
9 Belicchi/Boullion (Lola-Toyota) – 6 laps
10 Lapierre/Duval/Panis (Peugeot) – 9 laps

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1. 1000Km of Spa: Audi R18 TDI sweeps qualification

You're reading LMS: Audi R18 TDI defeated in race debut at 1000k of Spa originally posted on oneighturbo.com. If you've enjoyed this article, be sure and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.

With a weekend full of flags, it happened once again during LMP qualification. With 6 minutes remaining the Oak Racing, Oak Pescarolo – Judd was involved in a huge off with Matthieu Lahaye at the wheel. With Audi Motorsport heading out early in the session, the three R18 TDI’s were able to put one more stamp on the weekend’s results. Ironically, it would be the cars designated numbers predicting the outcome.

The three Audi’s would go back and forth, swapping the top three times. At the wheel’s would be Timo Bernhard, Andre Lotterer and Mr. Le Mans, Tom Kristensen.

Lotterer would be first to take top spot, posting a 2:01.788 ahead of Bernhard and Kristensen.

Kristensen would move into second with a 2:02.145. Timo Bernhard would be next to top the charts with a 2:01.502.

Just as we were wondering if anyone could move into the 2:00 range, the Oak Racing Pescarolo car had its off.

During the post-qualifying interview, Bernhard would say Audi’s strategy was to go out early and specifically avoid any incidents. The weekend has been riddled with flags and Audi’s strategy team knew this.

For Peugeot, it was a different story. Their strategist was not on this page and it hurt them bad in the end. The factory LMP 908′s waited and waited and waited… Marc Gene was the only one to post a time and a slow one at that. A 2:10.725 would land him in 13th. Simon Pagenaud would muster up a 2:12.108 for 18th and Sarrazin nailed a 0:00.000 for 50th. Ouch.

The top Peugeot performance went to the Oreca Matmut, non-factory LMP car. Nicolas Lapierre squeezed into 4th with a 2:05.482. This was three seconds behind the Audi R18 TDI of Kristensen and only one second clear of the top petrol car.

Excellent job from Audi and the debut of the R18 TDI. However, in the past we know Peugeot likes to go out hard for pole positions. Audi has no data from them now to measure up against.

Remember, the race is 6 hors long and ANY thing can happen. There will be over 50 cars on track! We’ve seen a lot of flags over the past few days. One flag will bring the filed together very quickly.

Spa-Francochamps is a very exciting circuit. It has 21 turns over 4.3 miles. Eau Rouge & Raidillon are insane at speed!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates and news from Spa-Francorchamps.

Photos: © 2011 Loek Pictures | oneighturbo.com

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1. LMS: Audi 1-2-3 in second practice from Spa

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