Adelaide, December 30th, 2000
Audi Sport North America has today nominated a further driver for the final of the
American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at Adelaide. Australian Brad Jones (40) will
support Rinaldo Capello and Allan McNish in the no 77 Audi R8. Scotsman McNish
is suffering from bad back-ache so Brad Jones will relieve the duo during the 5:45
hour race on the difficult street circuit.
„Allan was complaining about back-ache during the practice on Friday afternoon.
So I prescribed absolute rest for him today”, says Audi Team Doctor Dr Christian
John. Last night, McNish was examined in a hospital and as an additional
precaution also underwent X-ray examination. Today he is recovering in the hotel.
Dr Christian John: “Tomorrow morning we will decide together whether a start in the
race is possible.”
The nomination of Brad Jones who in 1996 won the Australian Super Touring Car
Championship in an Audi A4 quattro is a pure precautionary measure. “We came to
Australia to do a race and we owe it to the many thousands of spectators that we
compete with both R8 cars. Therefore we want to take every possible measure.
Apart from that, it’s nice to have an Australian sitting in our crocodile R8”, says Dr
Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport. Brad Jones will drive the free practice
session this afternoon.
Allan McNish who already won five races of the American Le Mans Series this year
together with Rinaldo Capello is confident for the race day. “I’ve been looking
forward so much to this spectacle in Adelaide and now hope my back will show
some understanding as well. Right now my only wish is to sit in our crocodile
tomorrow afternoon.”
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