• Diesel sports car to contest its first race on a street course
• Second round of American Le Mans Series in St. Petersburg
• Audi confirms US commitment with TDI Power
It has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours at Sebring twice, the American Le Mans Series, and it has not been beaten since its début in March 2006. But now, the 650-hp Audi R10 TDI is facing a new challenge and perhaps its most difficult task ever: On Saturday (31 March) the revolutionary diesel sportscar has to contest its first race on a temporary street course in the city of St. Petersburg (Florida).
The LM P1 prototype was developed for the circuit at Le Mans, which is one of the world’s fastest tracks featuring long straights and quick corners. The average speed per lap at Le Mans is more than 230 kph, while the medium speed in St. Petersburg is expected to be less than 160 kph.
The roughly 150 kilogram lighter Acura/Honda and Porsche LM P2 sports cars which, due to a change of rules, are allowed to compete in the American Le Mans Series with more engine power than at Le Mans, were already nearly equal to the Audi R10 TDI in the Sebring season opener on account of the regulations. On the slower street courses, such as St. Petersburg, their benefit from the 150 kilogram weight advantage in the LM P2 class will even be greater, as it affects acceleration, cornering speeds, braking distances and fuel consumption considerably.
Still worse for Audi, the Audi R10 TDI – as a diesel sports car – has to compete with a fuel tank that has been reduced by ten percent: instead of 90 litres, the fuel tank contains no more than 81 litres in 2007. At Sebring, this restriction already resulted in the Audi drivers having to refuel up to five laps earlier than the LM P2 cars – despite the low consumption figures of the diesel engine. In St. Petersburg, the situation will be similar.
