Le Mans, June 12, 2004

The Audi importer teams were also setting the pace in the warm-up for the Le Mans 24 Hours on Saturday morning. JJ Lehto set the fastest time (3m 36.078s) with Team ADT Champion Racing’s Audi R8 which is supported by Audi Sport North America. The two Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx Audi R8 cars followed just behind in second and third position. Audi Sport Japan Team Goh’s Audi R8 was classified in fifth place.

At the start, set for 4 p.m., Jamie Davies (#88), Allan McNish (#8), Rinaldo Capello (#5) and JJ Lehto (#2) will be driving the four Audi R8 sports cars. During the race, driver changes are planned as follows:

Audi R8 #88: Jamie Davies > Guy Smith > Johnny Herbert

Audi R8 #8: Allan McNish > Pierre Kaffer > Frank Biela

Audi R8 #5: Rinaldo Capello > Tom Kristensen > Seiji Ara

Audi R8 #2: JJ Lehto > Marco Werner > Emanuele Pirro

Despite smaller fuel tanks implemented in the Le Mans regulations this year (80 instead of 90 litres), under normal circumstances the Audi R8 cars will cover twelve laps before they have to come to the pits for refuelling. Therefore, the first pit stops are expected after about 40 minutes.

This year, Audi supplies the organisers of both 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Le Mans with all Official Cars. At Le Mans, Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the AUDI AG board, will officially hand over the 18 Official Cars to Automobile Club de l’Ouest at about 2:45 p.m. At Le Mans, Race Control has opted for the new Audi A6, at Nürburgring the Audi RS 6 plus is in action.

Since a couple of days, the Audi concept study Le Mans quattro has generating interest in the Le Mans paddock. On Saturday at 1:15 p.m., the specators at the track will be able to watch the high-performance sports car in action: Walter de´Silva, Head of Design of the Audi brand group, will drive a parade lap around the 13.650-kilometre Le Mans track – escorted by two Audi A6 Safety Cars.