Although Audi has proved unbeatable since July last year winning ten ALMS races in a row, team director
Reinhold Joest and his squad still have something left to prove on European ground. At both European ALMS
rounds last year, the team had to settle for podium finishes. The last time the Audi R8 suffered defeat was in
2000 in torrential rain on the Nürburgring. At this time of year, the weather conditions in the British Midlands
could very well be similar. However, for Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, this is no reason to worry.
"We´ve conducted rain tyre tests with our partner Michelin and are well prepared for all weather conditions.“
”Still, I hope it doesn´t rain”, says Audi pilot Rinaldo Capello, who travels to Britain as points leader after winning
the first two ALMS races of this current season in Dallas and Sebring. ”As opposed to my team mates, I´ve never
raced in Donington. So, I´ll have to learn the circuit really quickly, especially considering that we have very little
time to practice. At least I have Tom to give me some tips.”
Like Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, Tom Kristensen knows this demanding hill and dale track inside out from
his time in the British touring car scene. ”The circuit is fast, very picturesque and a real challenge,“ say the Audi
pilots. ”Circuit knowledge is a real advantage,“ claims Frank Biela who won five races on the Donington track
during his touring car career with Audi. ”On the other hand, we saw in Adelaide that the top pilots can adapt
quickly to any track.“
As at the 12 Hours in Sebring, Stefan Johansson and his team will again put up a strong challenge against the
Audi works team at the European season debut. At the first race with the 2000-spec R8, the Johansson team
achieved fourth position behind the two works Infineon Audi R8s and the private Audi customer team,
Champion, ensuring that Audi secured its first ever quadruple victory in sportscar racing.
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