Press Release - Audi USA returns to Rallying !?!

[passat TS]

Rob,

I looked at their official web site in English and German, and there is no
news. The last one there is from 1/30, so I'm not saying this is a joke, but
it sure smells fishy to me.

To the other side, I would love to see this happening.

Cheers,

Carlos.


>From: robert_a_dupree at bankone.com
>To: quattro at audifans.com
>Subject: Press Release - Audi USA returns to Rallying !?!
>Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 14:27:36 -0600
>
>Can someone confirm this???
>
>
>
>Press Release
>Story by Red Jacobs Atlanta, GA Joest Racing Headquarters
>
>Audi returns to US Rallying!
>
>At a specially arranged press conference today Herr Joest announced a
>temporary return for Audi to
>the US rally scene. Not having competed here since the late 80's with John
>(J.B.) Buffum, Audi has
>obtained the services of long time Audi World Championship rally driver
>Walter Rorhl. Rorhl is
>being reunited with his 1987 Pikes Peak-winning Audi running in the SCCA's
>Open class.
>
>Joest said the company was angry about all the current car ads claiming
>"rally" background. Herr
>Joest of Audi's R8 Lemans fame is directing the effort to reclaim Audi's
>past US rally crown.
>Based in Atlanta, Georgia it's a no-brainer for his outfit to attend the
>Cherokee Trails
>International Rally only a 100 miles away. With a perfectly good "monster"
>Audi Quattro sitting
>gathering dust in the corner of the shop and Walter coming over for testing
>on the American Lemans
>Audi R8s the timing was good. The Pikes Peak car is rumored to be running
>over 900 hp and features
>a massive wing to create the downforce needed to keep it hooked up. With a
>compressed air bottle
>keeping the turbos spooled up the altitude of the Appalachian mountains
>won't be a problem. Walter
>said he's inspired by Audi's new advertising campaign of "Never follow" and
>doesn't plan to follow
>anyone at the rally.
>
>At today's press announcement a representative of Subaru's Prodrive says he
>welcomes the chance to
>show their stuff. On the other hand Mitsubishi is claiming foul saying they
>want a level playing
>field. It appears that the stage is set for a real knockdown drag-out fight
>this season.
>
>
>Rob Dupree
>      Co-Driver car#559 Audi S2 SCCA ProRally
>
>
>
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