[V8] ALMS Portland Recap and Photos

[Jeremy Ward]

Incase I bore any of you to death with my email, let me first provide the
link to the photos:
http://www.myv8q.com/pics/ALMS-Portland-06/ 

Well despite the 100deg heat out at the race track and the fact that my
family was heading down to the Oregon Coast without me, I couldn't pass up a
chance to see the new R10 and perhaps meet Frank Biela in person, who in
1991 took the DTM championship in a V8Q.

My buddy told me to meet him and his father at the track at 8am on Saturday
(the 22nd) and with some luck, I could ride in the back of their Porsche for
the Porsche Club's parade laps.  I am not sure why the 996tt is called a 4
seater, as my 2 year old would be cramped for space back there, but the
officials told me the rules prohibited such things.  I for one was in
agreement.

However, thanks to the generosity of their club, one of the members offered
me a ride in his dark blue Boxter.  The uber-snug Sparcos and 6 point
harness should have been a clue that this isn't 'just a Boxter'.  As Brian
made his way onto the track from the club parking (more of a grassy meadow),
I realized if he ever goes pro, Preparation H should be his sponsor.  I
can't remember which suspension setup he had, but it was the type with the
separate hydraulic fluid reservoirs and the adjustment dial for stiffness.
He told me that they were set to 3 and 4 (out of a possible 7) and his
springs rates were 800lb (IIRC).

Riding as a passenger was a real treat; I can't imagine how much fun it
would be to actually drive this convertible go-cart.  Our speed was limited
to 40mph for the parade lap, but Brian still managed to have some fun.  On
the last (4th?) lap around the track, he gave us some space between the car
in front, and powered through the chicane.  Holy Crap!  Needless to say, it
took several hours for the smile to fade from my face.  Thanks again Brian!
:-)

If you have never watched an American Le Mans Series race, let me tell you
that it is quite a trip; there are 4 separate races happening on the
racetrack at the exact same time!  LMP1 is the class where the Audi R10 and
the B06/10 & EX257 Lolas race.  The LMP2 cars (Lola B05/40 and the new
Porsche RS Spyder) look very similar, but have a few less ponies.  Next are
the GT1 cars (Austin Martin DBR9 and Corvette C6) and finally the GT2 cars
(Ferrari 430 GT, Porsche 911 GT3, BMW E46 M3, Panoz Esperante).  Not only is
it cool to cheer your 4 class-favorites to victory and keep track of what
they are doing as they weave through the slower/faster traffic, but it is a
trip to watch a car such as a 911 GT3 (which I KNOW would eat my 3.6l V8 for
lunch) get left in the dust by a 2000lb, 650hp R10.  Unreal.

As the race didn't start until 7pm, I had plenty of time to stroll through
the paddock during the day.  That's where I decided to camp out during the
ALMS practice laps and take some pictures of the drivers, cars, and pit
crews.  I really wish I had earplugs down there as it was a beautifully
painful symphony.  Despite this oversight on my part, I am glad I had a
chance to hear (or not hear, rather) the 5.5l V12 TDI from Audi.  I still
lust for the noises which the C6, 430GT, DBR9, and the (oh mamma) rasp of
the Esperante, but was really blown away by the deceivingly understated
whisper of the R10 under full, balls-out acceleration.

I snapped several good shots of Biela, Capello, McNish, Pirro, Maraj, and I
think perhaps Dr. Ullrich can be seen in the command center between the two
tents.  My favorite photos include the melted tires, McNish carrying what
looks like a carbon-fiber booster seat, melted chunks of rubber clogging the
louvers atop the front fenders, and of course the Audi Sport North America
Bier Kegs.  I think they actually hold the Shell racing Diesel, however I
understand where their inspiration comes from, knowing their culture.

In the off chance that I ran into Herr Biela, I brought a picture of my V8Q
for him to autograph and came prepared with two questions.  1) For you, what
is the biggest difference between driving the R10 TDI and the 1991 V8Q DTM?
2)  In your opinion, do you think the triumph of a Diesel powered Audi race
car will redefine Audi as a company, similar to the transformation that took
place in the early 90s through the success of the V8Q?

I wish I could say that I had the cohunes to ask him these questions when I
ran into him heading to the trailer, but I wussed out.  I did have a brief
conversation with him in German, where I asked for his autograph.  I think
he was a little taken aback when I whipped out a picture of my V8Q, but was
happy to autograph my car for a German speaking fan who actually knew what
he was up to 15 years ago.  He even told me my V8 was schön.  :-)

Enjoy,

- Jeremy



More info:
-------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=2353 

http://www.championracing.net/2006/the_car/R10.htm 

And thanks to John:
-------------------------------------------------------------------

###
Audi MediaInfo
Ingolstadt, 23 July 2006

Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten once more

First double victory for the new diesel sportscar of Audi Allan McNish/Dindo
Capello earn fourth outright victory Fourth start and fourth win for the
Audi R10 TDI

After its fourth race, the Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten: The prototype
which became the first diesel-powered sportscar to win the Le Mans 24 Hour
race, added another victory in the sixth round of the American Le Mans
Series in Portland (US state Oregon). In the third race for the Audi R10 TDI
in the US, Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) triumphed ahead
of their team-mates Frank Biela
(Germany) and Emanuele Pirro (Italy) to score the first double victory of
the Audi R10 TDI.

The two Audi sportscars started the race from the second and third rows.
After a late change of regulations in which the organisers allowed the
strongest competitor in the LM P1 class, the Dyson-Lola team, to reduce the
weight of the car by 40kg to 860kg, the Audi drivers Dindo Capello and
Emanuele Pirro had to be content in qualifying with positions three and five
respectively. Because the weight reduction change had not been made giving
the mandatory 14-day notification, organiser’s IMSA and the Dyson team
agreed a compromise. The two Lola sportscars started the race with a minimum
weight of 880kg.

At the start of the race staged on the 12-turn, 1.944-mile track featuring
few overtaking opportunities, Emanuele Pirro was second behind Guy Smith in
the Dyson-Lola. Dindo Capello followed in fourth after a delay at the first
corner behind the "pole-sitter” Butch Leitzinger (Dyson-Lola). When the
leading teams pitted during a yellow after 45 minutes for "full service”
including driver change, fuel and tyres, Frank Biela took over the #1 Audi
R10 TDI and snatched the lead at the re-start on lap 54 with Allan McNish,
now at the wheel of the #2 Audi, in second. Moments later Allan McNish took
the lead from Biela. After 142-laps, the two R10 TDI sportscars claimed the
first Audi diesel 1-2 victory.

After the successes of Allan McNish/Dindo Capello in 2000, JJ Lehto/ Marco
Werner (2004) and Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro (2005) in the Audi R8, this is
the fourth triumph for Audi at Portland. After the fourth win of the season,
the Audi drivers Allan McNish and Dindo Capello extended their lead in the
championship before the seventh race of the American Le Mans Series at Road
America (20 August).

Quotes after the race at Portland

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "I am happy for the whole
team that managed to get the first double victory for the Audi R10 TDI.
Especially I am glad that the drivers of car #2 who were able to extend
their American Le Mans Series championship lead.  
Thanks to all of the team for their good work. Today our competitors were
confronted with problems. The spectators saw an exciting race.  
In the actual discussion about the regulations we tried to find a compromise
with Dyson and IMSA. I think the fastest race lap of the Dyson-Lola showed
that they are absolutely competitive.”

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #2): "Unfortunately I was hit at the first
corner and from that moment I really found the Audi difficult to drive –
especially in the right hand corners. The full course yellow came at a good
moment because the grip from the left rear tyre had gone completely – the
car was almost undriveable. But with new tyres Allan was able to race hard.
It’s very nice to win again after the bad luck we had at Salt Lake City –
this win is just beautiful.”

Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #2): "The car was tricky to drive – the hit that
Dindo received on the opening lap affected the balance quite a lot. But as
soon as I got into the lead at the re-start I controlled the gap with Frank.
When it was required, I was able to press on a little more but I could take
things quite consistently through traffic. I’m obviously pleased and proud
that we’ve pulled out a victory from what looked like being a hard weekend
for us.”

Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It was a good race, it was a lot of fun. But
you cannot win all the time. Unfortunately I got stuck behind a GT Porsche,
otherwise the race could have been more open until the end. The R10 TDI was
very good and I am happy that we brought home a good result for Audi.”

Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It has been a really good race for us. We
were not very fast in practice, qualifying or the warm-up. We changed the
setup of the car for the race and it was better. Frank got in and secured
second place for us. I am happy. A one-two for Audi is very good for the
championship.”

Dave Maraj (Team Director Team Audi Sport North America): "It was a fabulous
race and I am tremendously proud to have achieved two victories for Audi
Sport North America in the space of one week with the new Audi R10 TDI. To
celebrate this 1-2 result today in only our second race with the R10 TDI
which we are still getting used to, is a fantastic feat due to the
dedication and professionalism of all of our team – everyone was at the top
of their game today.”

Results at Portland

1 Capello/McNish (Audi R10 TDI) 142 laps in 2h 45m 08.847s
2 Biela/Pirro (Audi R10 TDI) +42,051s
3 Dyson/Smith (Lola-AER) - 2 laps
4 Weaver/Leitzinger (Lola-AER) - 4 laps
5 Field/Field/Halliday (Lola-AER) - 7 laps
6 Dayton/Wallace (Lola-AER) - 8 laps