Archive for the 'LMP1' Category

Audi introduces the R25, the latest prototype in its legendary racecar lineup.

This is beautiful. We hope this leads to next years LMP1 car.

The inaugural Los Angeles round of the ALMS 2025 incorporates innovative features never previously seen in any form of motor sports, such as high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race ‘inverted’ and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars. All top sections of the tunnels and banks are also WiTricity wireless electrical charging zones, which encourage the drivers to utilize these free energy zones instead of fuel stops.

The R25 is designed to utilize and excel in this new racing environment, with features such as:

  • 1. The new Dynamic Space Frame, allowing much greater degree of flexibility, integration of circuits and rigidity
  • 2. Algae bio fuel for endurance and electric motor capability through Wireless power transfer technology
  • 3. Audi Design: Staying true to the ‘Form is Function’ philosophy, there is not an ounce of needless element in the R25, which incorporates advanced technique and efficient form management into one. The car also uses: active micro-control surfaces which optimize airflow during the race; Man Machine Interface, which inputs all vehicle data output into the driver’s helmet visor; all-around vehicle dynamic sensors and integrated on-board HD cameras with real-time data links to allow for spectator interaction, allowing fans to virtually ‘sit’ and experience the race in any racecar through monitors and virtual reality booths.

Audi Design Center California

Produced by
Claus Potthoff,
Executive Design Director
Hendrik Veltmann, General Manager
Jae Min, Chief Designer

Concept Art
Craig Durfey, Senior Design Advisor
Raul Cenan, Designer
Taeho Kim, Designer

Concepting Contribution & Editing
Tomi Lin, Audi Advanced Product Planning
Nancy Holman, Designer
Alex Marzo, Design Intern

LA Auto Show

Laguna Seca: Audi qualifies 5th and 7th

The Audi drivers are facing a difficult task in the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (US state of California). As expected the lighter LM P2 sportscars dominated qualifying. Team Audi Sport North America’s two Audi R10 TDI prototypes will start Saturday’s race as fastest LM P1 cars from fifth and seventh positions on the grid.

The 2.238-mile long track in the hills near Monterey is ideal for the LM P2 sportscars which weigh 150 kilograms less than the cars of the LM P1 top class. Furthermore, the track has traditionally little grip due to the sandy surroundings. This makes it difficult to take full advantage of the high torque of the 650-hp TDI engine.

Nevertheless the 0.7-second gap to pole position was smaller than calculated in simulations. Fastest Audi driver was Allan McNish (Scotland) who was able to beat the existing track record for LM P1 sportscars by more than 2.5 seconds. Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) was just 0.5s slower than his experienced team-mate on his ALMS debut with the second Audi R10 TDI.

The race at Laguna Seca starts on Saturday at 2:43 PM PDT and runs for a duration of four hours. Last year, Audi achieved a 1-2 victory with the R10 TDI – from lower positions on the starting grid.

Continue reading ‘Laguna Seca: Audi qualifies 5th and 7th’

RECORD RUN PUTS WERNER ON PETIT POLE POSITION

Marco Werner rewrote the history books at Road Atlanta on Friday with a record-breaking qualifying run for Audi in its diesel-powered R10 TDI at Petit Le Mans. Werner set a time of 1:08.906 to capture pole position for the 10th running of Saturday’s 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic a race that Audi has never lost.

As expected, qualifying times were well under Allan McNish’s previous mark of 1:10.379, set in 2000 in an Audi R8. Werner’s only other pole position this season came in March at Sebring, the American Le Mans Series’ other signature endurance race.

The fastest six cars Friday all were under McNish’s former mark as the field attacked Road Atlanta’s freshly paved surface. Werner outpaced Penske Racing’s Romain Dumas by 0.133 seconds for pole position.

Dumas was the quickest LMP2 car at 1:09.039 to break Lucas Luhr’s fastest qualifying time from last year by more than two seconds. The Frenchman and Timo Bernhard have won the last four overall races in the American Le Mans Series. They also lead the class championship.

Third overall and second in P1 was Dindo Capello, McNish’s teammate in the second Audi, at 1:09.366. Ryan Briscoe in the second Penske Porsche qualified fourth overall and second in P2 at 1:09.462.

Andrea Bertolini shocked the field with a GT1 pole run in Lista Doran Racing’s Maserati MC12. Bertolini, making his first start in the Series since the season-ending event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2005, posted a lap of 1:17.428. He was nearly a full second better than Corvette Racing’s Johnny O’Connell, the hometown driver who toured the track in 1:18.415.

Bertolini raced full-season in the factory Maserati effort in the American Le Mans Series during the 2005. He finished third in class twice (at Road Atlanta in the spring sprint race and at Road America) and was fourth at Petit Le Mans. His lap Friday was the first non-Corvette GT1 pole position since Monterey last year.

Jaime Melo captured his fifth GT2 pole this year for Ferrari and Risi Competizione. The Brazilian driver piloted the No. 62 Ferrari F430 GT to a 1:21.660, good enough for a 0.138-second gap back to Dirk Muller in the Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing Ferrari.

American Le Mans Series :: World Class

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ALMS: Audi R10′s qualify 1st and 3rd

It came down to the wire on this one! Porsche has been so strong this year and Dumas nailed a 1:05:919 at the end there and Capello comes around and slams a 1:05:829 to take pole. The #2 Audi came in with a 1:06:010 to take second in LMP1 and third overall. With the new start rules look to see the Audi’s torque take them to the front.

Capello also set a new course record with an average of 134.5mph!

more in a bit…

The Ferrari’s did take the top three in GT2. Grrrrr!


Photo: Michael Tan © All rights reserved

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Simraceway Is Blurring The Line Between Sim Racing And Reality

SimCraft simulator systems

Quattro de Mayo: May 3-6, 2012



Darren Pierson Photography





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