Allan McNish News

[audidriver4ever]

Allan McNish


Daytona disappointment... Wheels Down at Sebring... Europe confirmed...


Daytona was ultimately a disappointment. We had a really good driver line-up and that combined with the SAMAX run Riley-Pontiac, should have allowed us to challenge for victory. We suffered bad luck in qualifying, Mike [Rockenfeller] suffering a broken throttle cable almost immediately. That stranded him out on the track and he had to repair it himself, which he did, but that only left time for a couple of flying laps right at the end.

We qualified 14th but shortly before mid-distance on the Saturday evening, I changed from third to fourth gear and the engine suddenly dropped a cylinder so it was game over. Mike had immediately pitted at the start of the race to switch from wet tyres to “slicks” so that dropped us down and in the subsequent opening six hours, we encountered tyre issues and a wheel nut problem. Nevertheless we were seventh at one stage but then a steering arm broke and then lost more time when we tangled with a GT car.

We had not expected this end result but the Daytona race and Grand Am is different these days. From a Scottish point of view, with Dario [Franchitti] taking the victory to earn the Ganassi team a third consecutive victory – the “Audi Sport” team of Grand Am prototypes if you like – I was very happy for him to win if it wasn’t going to be me. He seems to have the Midas touch at the moment.

From Daytona Beach, I drove down to Sebring on Sunday evening ready for the three-day IMSA/ALMS “Wheels Down” test. Most of the teams, including Acura and Porsche were present, as were Peugeot. They gathered together on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week for their first proper, serious runs of 2008 and get a sneak preview for the opening Sebring 12 Hours race. Sebring itself is a unique track – very bumpy, fast and flowing but tight and twisty in other sections. A compromise for the chassis and the way that you drive it.

I was joined in the Audi by Mike and Tom Kristenson, the “Great Dane” having flown in on Saturday to watch us at Daytona – however I was just retiring from the race as Tom drove into the track [he did come back on Sunday to have a stroll around the paddock as he’d never previously been to Daytona] plus Dindo who didn’t fancy a Daytona visit.

Dindo and I drove on Monday and Tuesday with Tom and Mike taking over the car on Wednesday – I fly home to Monaco later today.

Audi confirmed earlier this week that it will contest the Le Mans Series in Europe and that I will drive one of the R10 TDI sportscars with Dindo. I’m personally very pleased to be racing in Europe again. Having won the ALMS title for the last two years, and three times in total, it will be really good to attack a new championship. I raced in Europe in 2004, with Audi UK Team Veloqx, with Pierre Kaffer who, incidentally, also raced at Daytona so it was good to meet up with him again. Pierre and I started the final race leading the championship but unfortunately my German co-driver tangled with GT car at the “bus stop” chicane, the resulting damage causing us to retire and miss out on the title so I’m doubly determined to add this trophy to my cabinet.

Peugeot, as you probably know, were dominant in LMS last year and while they’ve yet to make an announcement for 2008, I imagine that they will race in LMS again and I’ll look forward to their competition while they may even do Sebring for the first time – it was certainly interesting to see them out in Florida this week. That would make the race in March very interesting with another ultra-competitive LM P1 car alongside Audi with the additional threat from Porsche and Acura.

Assuming the French car will be in LMS, that will make things difficult for us. There will be a Porsche Spyder in LMS for the first time plus Oreca with their new Courage project which could well be strong during the latter half of the season. Plus you can never discount Pescarolo. So there is a really deep mix of LM P1 cars in the LMS and I can’t wait to get stuck in. The championship begins in Barcelona in April while I want to see all you fans out at Silverstone in September.

Next month Audi has its annual fitness training week. Physical fitness is obviously very important, especially with g-forces in a sportscar rising, so we do a lot of training but it’s also the one time in the year where all of Audi Sport’s drivers, from the sportscar programme and DTM, get together for a bit of male bonding. This is also an important factor.

LMS stage an official test/press gathering at Paul Ricard in France soon – just like what we’ve been doing at Sebring – so we’ll get a sniff of how competitive we are on European soil. At the moment, I don’t know whether I’ll be driving at Sebring in March. Audi has entered two cars for Sebring but the line-up is undecided because Audi’s participation in the remaining 11 races after Sebring has not been confirmed. Must dash, off to Miami to catch my flight home...

[caitovS4]

I'm very sad to hear Allan and Dindo will be leaving the ALMS to race the LMS.

The fire and determination those two brought to the car made the racing even that more enjoyable to watch.

I fully expect Audi to continue in ALMS but I will miss the "veterans".

That being said it will be great to see them take it to Peugeot in Europe.

[minira]

im glad to see that audi is taking it back to europe. i loved watching him also in the ALMS, great racer. but it should be good to see audi in europe. cant wait for the penske boys though to rip up the season again.

[OneSickSedan]

I really hope Audi can take it Peugeot in Europe. Peugeot won the first two races. Hopefully Audi can catch up. And I hope Audi rips em a new one in France for the 24 hour.

[audidriver4ever]

Yeah, these Peugeot's are really fast but had much luck to in both races.
And in the last one, the contact with the Audi was very questionable [mad]

[OneSickSedan]

^oh that's nice to know man. I thought they were beating the Audi's hands down. All I can do is go on the website and read about it. It really sucks that they don't show the European Le Mans Series or DTM here in the states. [:(]

[audidriver4ever]

And in the last one, the contact with the Audi was very questionable [mad]

Edit: And in the last one, the contact in the last 10 Minutes (before the Finish) with the leading Audi, was very questionable [mad] Dr. Ullrich reacted furious.

[OneSickSedan]

Dude that's sick. The Audi was leading? That's awesome man I can't wait to see how they do the rest of the season.

[audidriver4ever]

Yeah, Audi hat a perfect Pits Strategy and was able this way to get the Car in the lead.

[falcorider]

^oh that's nice to know man. I thought they were beating the Audi's hands down. All I can do is go on the website and read about it. It really sucks that they don't show the European Le Mans Series or DTM here in the states. [:(]

You can listen to the race broadcast on www.radiolemans.com and follow timing and scoring on www.lemans-series.com. Not as good as watching it, but better than nothing.

[OneSickSedan]

^I was hoping someone would chime in with some more info about this. Thanks man I'll give that a shot next time.

[audidriver4ever]

Audi re-captures lead in Le Mans Series

Ingolstadt/Spa-Francorchamps -- Audi has taken the lead of the manufacturers' championship of the European Le Mans Series at the 1000-kilometre race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). The two Audi youngsters Alexandre Premat (26/France) and Mike Rockenfeller (24/Germany) in their Audi R10 TDI finished the third race of the season again in second place, thus going to the "Audi home round" at the Nurburgring on 17 August with the same points score as the Peugeot drivers Marc Gene and Nicolas Minassian.

In brilliant sunshine and summer temperatures, the spectators in the Belgian Ardennes witnessed another captivating fight between the diesel sportscars of Audi and Peugeot. A possible first victory of the Audi R10 TDI in the Le Mans Series was prevented by two collisions of the Audi that had started from the first row with the competition from the Peugeot camp.

As early as in the starting phase and fight for second place, there was body contact between Allan McNish and the attacking Peugeot driven by Nicolas Minassian. In the incident the valve of the R10 TDI's left rear wheel broke off. The early unscheduled pit stop cost almost a minute.

Despite this setback Allan McNish and Dindo Capello, thanks to quick lap times and a good strategy of Audi Sport Team Joest, were back within striking distance to the leading Peugeot when Alexander Wurz in the second Peugeot, at the beginning of the third hour, collided with a GT2 vehicle and then violently hit the rear of Capello's car. The necessary repair cost three laps and caused the R10 TDI to drop to position twelve. Three further minutes were lost by car #1 due to a stop-and-go penalty for disregarding the red light at the pit lane exit.

Capello/McNish pushed and recovered to fourth place, thus contributing their share to Audi's re-capturing of the lead in the manufacturers' championship of the Le Mans Series. Audi now ranks one point ahead of title defender Peugeot.

The race of the other Audi R10 TDI went without any major incidents. Alexandre Premat and Mike Rockenfeller in their third race of the Le Mans Series again took second place, thus standing on the podium for the third time in a row.

Quotes after the race at Spa-Francorchamps

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "The performance in the race was pretty good. Unfortunately, our #1 car was prevented from fighting for victory all the way to the end because it got entangled in an accident through no fault of its own. The second car once more showed a solid performance and took second place again. It's nice to be leading the manufacturers' championship and to have two drivers sharing the same points score with the leaders of the standings. We want to build on this and achieve an even better result in the next race at the Nurburgring."

Alexandre Premat (Audi R10 TDI #2): "I think we can be satisfied with the result. Audi is leading the manufacturers' championship. 'Rocky' and I've got the same number of points as the Peugeot drivers. The race was really tough. Peugeot was very quick again, but we weren't slow either. We started in fourth place and finished in second for the third time in a row. This podium result makes me feel even more confident for Le Mans."

Mike Rockenfeller (Audi R10 TDI #2): "We did what we were expected to do and what we'd set out to do: safely bringing the car home. As far as our speed was concerned, we were doing pretty well in the race. Alex and I are getting along with the R10 TDI better and better. Now we've finished in second place for the third time in a row and have got the same number of points as the leaders of the standings -- if someone had told me that before the start of the season -- I'm super happy. I want to thank Alex and the whole team. The car was great in the race and very safe to drive. So I'm satisfied as far as that goes, although I'd have preferred victory of course."

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1): "When I was hit from behind I just didn't know what had happened. It was a big impact. Then I saw the Peugeot, but I still do not know exactly what occurred. I didn't see the red light at my pit-stop. I really believed our luck would change for this race. We had a car to challenge for victory again. In each LMS race we have something unexpected happening and we have to recover. We show that our speed is good enough to fight for victory but at the moment just do not get onto the podium."

Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1): "Lamy accelerated before the final corner and broke every rule that was explained to us prior to the race so I was surprised that the organisers allowed the start and that the Peugeot didn't receive a penalty. I was able to fight pretty well with both Peugeots sitting in second position until I was baulked in Eau Rouge and Minassian got a run on me on the outside into Les Combes. I was on the inside in the braking area and he turned in, which punctured my left rear tyre -- he came and apologised afterwards. We came back well from that until Dindo's unlucky incident with the other Peugeot, which required repairs in the garage as is the story of our LMS year so far unfortunately. From that point it was just recovery back to fourth position."

Ralf Juttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "That was a 'deja-vu'. Again, car 1 had problems, this time through no fault of its own. The second R10 TDI again drove a flawless race to finish as the runner-up. Congratulations to Alex (Premat) and 'Rocky': The two are really making headway. The number one car still managed to recover to fourth after a major repair and the stop-and-go penalty -- that's the best result of the season so far for Dindo (Capello) and Allan (McNish), as sad as that may sound. All in all, we should be satisfied, but I won't deny that we'd like to see our first victory pretty soon."

-credit: audi

[audidriver4ever]

Dumfries-born Allan McNish competes in an official one-day test at Le Mans in France on Sunday (1 June).

1998 Le Mans winner McNish, 38, drives his diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI sportscar in two, four-hour sessions (9am-1pm & 2-6pm) around the 8.47-mile circuit comprising of closed public roads.

“The Le Mans circuit is made up of a permanent race circuit plus closed public roads and is unique in this respect,” commented McNish. “This fact alone makes the pre-test, the only time prior to Le Mans race week that we can drive on the track, very important in the final build-up.

“Not only is it a case of fine-tuning the cars to the track but it allows drivers to reacquaint themselves to the over eight mile Le Mans track.”

From an original entry of 88, 55-cars have been invited to take part in the Test Day with the aim of making it onto the grid for the 76th Le Mans 24 Hours staged on 14-15 June.

McNish, who will compete in his ninth Le Mans race aiming to become the first Briton to win driving a diesel-engined sportscar, has led the race for the past four years.

“It’s reported our competitor Peugeot will have a new aero package for Le Mans so we’ll take a keen interest in that. And although the lap times have no consequence on race week, it’s likely that teams will bolt on some softer tyres and simulate qualifying in the final 30mins, it’s purely for bragging rights.”

The Monaco-based Scotsman’s co-drivers are the same as the past two years with regular Le Mans Series co-pilot Dindo Capello (I) joined by Tom Kristensen (Den).

Frank Biela (D), Emanuele Pirro (I) and Marco Werner (D), who have won the race in their similar diesel-powered Audi for the past two years, drive together once again while a third “factory” entered Audi R10 TDI will be handled by Lucas Luhr (D), Mike Rockenfeller (D) and Alexandre Prémat (F).

Source: McNish.

[audidriver4ever]

Le Mans 24 Hours - Race Preview (14-15 June)


Allan McNish bids to become the first Briton to drive a diesel engined sportscar to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours next weekend (14-15 June) – a race the Scotsman believes will be a “Battle of the Titans”.

The 38-year-old Scotsman competes in a “factory” entered Audi R10 TDI for a third consecutive year aiming to record the German manufacturer’s eighth Le Mans victory since their début in 1999 – 10 years after McNish scored his previous win in the French classic.

The 76th Le Mans 24 Hours features 55-cars battling for honours around the 8.47-mile circuit comprising of closed public roads with McNish predicting a twice-around-the-clock duel from start-to-finish between Audi and Peugeot.

“Peugeot will be our main competition and I believe it’s going to be a fierce, had-to-head battle from green light to chequered flag,” confirmed McNish.

“It’s likely to a ferocious encounter, three cars apiece from the Audi and Peugeot ‘factory’ teams, a confrontation the likes of which in my opinion not witnessed at Le Mans for 10 years. Audi has a fast, economical, consistent and reliable car we know works in all weather conditions. The team can always be relied upon for a canny race strategy and a group of mechanics who I believe are the very best.

“Le Mans is such a special, unique race, and once you’ve tasted victory there only an outright win can bring complete satisfaction. Since my victory in 1998, I’ve stood on the podium a further three times which itself is a real achievement, twice for finishing third over the past two years, but it’s that very top step I want to stand on again.”

The Monaco-based Scotsman’s co-drivers are the same as the past two years with regular Le Mans Series co-pilot Dindo Capello (I) joined by Tom Kristensen (Den).

Allan added: “Dindo, Tom and I return to Le Mans this year with unfinished business. Our car dominated the race for almost 17 hours until a wheel nut problem caused Dindo to crash when we were over three laps ahead of the field.

“The three of us have a lot of adrenalin, a lot of emotion and a lot of focus and we’re determined to finish the job that we started so well last year.”

Audi has won the annual Le Mans race for the past two year’s with its turbocharged diesel-engined R10 TDI. Last year’s winning Audi spent less than 24minutes stationary during its 36 pit-stops, completing a record distance of 3,125 miles and at an average speed of 129.96mph. The amount of full-throttle per lap is 75% each lap while the Audi R10 TDI exceeds 200mph at four points around the circuit.

A so-called “full service” including refuelling, tyres and driver change takes around 40 seconds. If a tyre change is left out around 15 seconds are saved. The Audi R10 TDI manages twelve laps on average with a full tank of fuel. This means that the driver must return to the pits for refuelling almost every 45 minutes.

Allan continued: “Le Mans nowadays is a 24 hour sprint and is effectively a 17-race Formula One Grand Prix season undertaken with the same car and engine and completed at around the same average speed over a similar distance.”

2006 & ‘07 Le Mans winners Frank Biela (D), Emanuele Pirro (I) and Marco Werner (D) pilot the number 1 Audi with a third R10 TDI handled by Mike Rockenfeller (D), Lucas Luhr (D), and Alexandre Prémat (F) as in 2007.

The three Audi R10 TDI prototypes will race for the first time with the next generation of Biofuel. Biomass to Liquids (BTL) has now been blended into the Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel that Audi has used to win the annual French endurance race for the past two years (2006 & ’07). This year’s race marks the first time a second-generation biofuel has been used in the Le Mans race. Shell V-Power Diesel also includes synthetic GTL (Gas to Liquids) Fuel made by Shell from natural gas, which provides very clean and efficient combustion.


Audi at Le Mans:-

#1 Frank Biela (D) /Emanuele Pirro (I) /Marco Werner (D)
#2 Allan McNish (GB) /Dindo Capello (I) /Tom Kristensen (Den)
#3 Lucas Luhr (D) /Mike Rockenfeller (D) /Alexandre Prémat (F)


Timetable:-

Tuesday 10 June
1410-1440 Scrutineering for #1 Audi
1420-1450 Scrutineering for #2 Audi
1430-1500 Scrutineering for #3 Audi

Wednesday 11 June
1900-2100 1st Qualifying Session – Part 1
2200-0000 1st Qualifying Session – Part 2

Thursday 12 June
1900-2100 2nd Qualifying Session – Part 1
2200-0000 2nd Qualifying Session – Part 2

Friday 13 June
1400-1500 Audi Press Conference, Audi Racing Arena, Parc du Raccordement
1800-1900 Drivers’ parade (city centre)

Saturday 14 June
0900-0945 Warm-up
1500 Start of 76th Le Mans 24 Hours

Sunday 15 June
1500 Finish of 76th Le Mans 24 Hours

* All times above are local and are local and are +1hr BST

Source: McNish

[audidriver4ever]

Update.

Eurosport will not be covering scrutineering nor will it be live for Qualifying 2 or 3.

Additionally there will be a 12-minute piece on Audi preparing for Le Mans on RaceWorld on Thursday 12th June evening on Sky Sports 2 at 20.00 UK.

You can also follow the action on Radio Le Mans www.radiolemans.com and follow live timing on www.lemans.org.

Speed TV (USA) will also be broadcasting at 8.30am EDT, 21.00 EDT on 14th June and 6am EDT on 15th June.

Whether you’ll be in Le Mans or at home watching and listening, stay tuned and enjoy! It promises to be a fantastic race and an exciting battle! Bring it on!

Source: McNish

[Daft]

Speed TV (USA) will also be broadcasting at 8.30am EDT, 21.00 EDT on 14th June and 6am EDT on 15th June.

HD Tivo Locked and Loaded.[:D][up]