Bowmanville - August 25, 2007
Dindo Capello fastest in the Audi R10 TDI in qualifying
With a gap of only 0.09 seconds, Audi driver Dindo Capello (Italy) claimed
the pole position for round nine of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS)
at Mosport (Canada). Team mate Emanuele Pirro (Italy) drove the second
Audi R10 TDI to the third fastest time overall and starts as the second
fastest driver in the LM P1 category.
Audi R10 TDI on first and second rows
In the only ALMS race outside of the United States of America, the Audi
drivers all but dominated the entire 20 minute qualifying on the second
fastest racetrack of the season from the start. In the opening minutes
Rinaldo Capello and Emanuele Pirro traded the best time. At the halfway
stage, Porsche driver Romain Dumas was in front, but six minutes before
the end of the session Dindo Capello achieved the pole position with a
time of 1m 05.829s. Team mate Emanuele Pirro drove with a time of 1m
6.010s on starting position three.
Third outright pole position for Audi of the seasonAudi thus clinched the
pole position for the third time this season in front of the lighter LM P2
sports cars. Four races before the end of the season, the Audi drivers
could claim the Manufacturer’s and Team’s titles in the LM P1 category.
The race at Mosport starts Sunday at 3 p.m. local time (9 p.m. in
Continental Europe) with a distance of 2:45 hours.
Quotes after qualifying
Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"I must admit to being surprised when I read my 5.829 lap time on the
dashboard. I didn’t think I could improve on my first run time but I pitted
and swapped over the tyres. On the second runs in the hairpin I gained
time. My Audi was nice to drive, really balanced – especially in the fast
corners – it was so enjoyable to drive the R10 TDI. ALMS races in Canada
have previously brought me luck and I hope this winning trend continues.”
Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI #1)
"It’s very pleasing to come to Mosport and have such a good run. Dindo
did a superb performance in qualifying to claim Audi’s second
consecutive ALMS pole but it’s incredibly tight at the front. Less than
three-tenth’s of a second cover the fastest four cars on the grid. I believe
we’ve got a quick, strong car for the race and Dindo and I will be looking
to add to the success that we’ve already enjoyed together here at
Mosport.”
Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"It has been a really nice qualifying session. It is good to see Audi at the
front. With both cars we did a very good session and achieved times we
didn’t imagine. We are looking quite good for the race. But we have to
consider that for us this is not the perfect circuit with these long corners
where the weight is important.”
Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #2)
"We can be happy with the qualifying. Congratulation to Dindo, that we
have one car on the first row. For us it will be tight, but the second row is a
good basis for the race. Tomorrow it will be tight and exciting.”
Dave Maraj (Team Director Audi Sport North America)
"To start the race in first and third positions is a fantastic achievement.
Dindo and Emanuele both did an excellent job as did the entire Audi
Sport North America team. Hopefully we can now carry this momentum
forward into the race. I believe the race will be very close and exciting with
strategy playing an important role.”
The starting grid at Mosport
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