The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) enters the final spurt: 14 days after securing the manufacturers´ title with
a double victory at Laguna Seca, Audi prepares to tackle the penultimate round of the ALMS in the casino city of
Las Vegas. For Team Audi Sport North America, who has also clinched the team title, the round in the US state
of Nevada is not only about another race victory. Audi is also eager to tie up the drivers´ championship.
"It would be wonderful if we manage this. If not, we have to wait until New Year´s Eve for the title decision,"
explains Head of Audi Sport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. The final round of the American Le Mans Series will be played
out on 31 December in Adelaide, Australia.
BMW pilots, Joerg Mueller and JJ Lehto, are the only competitors who could threaten Audi´s chance for the
driver´s trophy. Should current points´ leader Allan McNish take first or second in Las Vegas, then theoretically
only team mate Rinaldo Capello is in a position to fight for the title at the final round in Adelaide.
McNish is optimistic heading to the Las Vegas race: "As opposed to BMW and Panoz, this circuit is new territory
for us - but to date the Audi R8 has always worked perfectly."
In Las Vegas, the Audi pilots are anticipating circuit conditions similar to the Texas round held in early
September. The race is contested over a part of the oval combined with a twisting, narrow infield section. "When
setting up the car, it all depends on finding the best compromise between the oval and the twisty infield section,"
explains team director Reinhold Joest. "We faced this task in Dallas and it worked well."
Audi already has a dream season to look back on: Seven victories from ten ALMS rounds for the Team Audi
Sport North America, five of which were double victories. To date, the R8 has set pole no less than eight times.
With a triple victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race and capturing the ALMS manufacturer and team
championships, just one thing is missing - the drivers´ championship.
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