The 2011 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the first outing for Audi’s R18 TDI prototype race car. Running in LMP1 class, the car not only took home another Le Mans victory for Audi, but for diesel cars in general. Following that win was many others but all in Europe. On October 1, Audi plans to make another win but on American soil at the Petit Le Mans.
Taking place at the Road Atlanta race track in Georgia, the Petit Le Mans will be the first U.S. race for the R18. Two cars will be run by the Audi Sport Team Joest. A victory might not come easy as Audi will be running against the other diesel prototype from Peugeot. Using an almost silent 3.7 turbocharged diesel V6, the R18 not only has torque for the numerous elevation changes found at Road Atlanta, but endurance. ““For Road Atlanta, there can only be one aim: all-out attack! We’ve got to finally win there again. At Silverstone, we were simply struck by misfortune. Even without that factor it would have been incredibly tight and we don’t know what the outcome would have been. Road Atlanta is a special event,” said Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest.
Source: Audi
