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7/7/2023, 10:04:16 PM cet
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Fosti con me nel pericolo e nella vittoria
Click to Listen !!!  Radio Le Mans Web broadcast schedule - tba
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Radio Le Mans Web
Saturday, 19 July
17.00 - 18.00 Qualifying

Sunday, 4 March
11.30 - 15.00 Race

Televised on


NBC
Sunday, 22 July
16:00 Eastern



Eurosport
Sunday, 29 July
20:45 CET

Timetable
 Broadcast Schedule

San Fransisco, July 14, 2001

Six weeks after the convincing double victory for Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the Team Audi Sport North America now faces its next challenge in America: With the "Grand Prix of Sonoma" in California´s Sears Point on 22 July 2001, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) enters a hot phase. Seven rounds in three months – all in North America – are left on the calendar before the 2001 ALMS champion can be confirmed at the end of October.

The Audi team sets off on the long trip to California with good memories. "It was exactly one year ago in Sears Point that our winning streak began with the R8," explains team director Reinhold Joest. Since then, Audi has secured 13 consecutive wins with the successful racing sportscar. "Of course we are keen to continue this impressive run of successes," says Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "But, Panoz will be putting the pressure on because they are again racing with their proven car. I am also curious how the modified Cadillac will perform on the short circuit."

The Team Audi Sport North America starts in Sears Point with both the Infineon Audi R8 vehicles that contested the Le Mans race. Despite having covered a distance of more than 2,500 miles, both Le Mans engines will be used again. "Because of the rain the distance covered in Le Mans was significantly less than we had anticipated," explains Dr Ullrich. "We have checked the engines and everything is in top order."

The direct fuel injection (FSI), which proved its worth with the double win in Le Mans, will now also be used in the US races. For a race like in Sears Point with a duration of only 2:45 hours the reduction of fuel consumption through this new Audi technology is not as decisive as for a long distance race. Still, it allows the team a more flexible pit strategy.

From the Sears Point race on, both Infineon Audi R8 cars will also compete in the ALMS with the new aerodynamics that were first used successfully in Le Mans. “On the track at Sears Point you need mainly downforce,“ says Head of Audi Sport Dr Ullrich. “Above all, with our new aerodynamics we improved the drag coefficient without affecting the downforce.“

The Audi drivers unanimously describe the 2.52 mile circuit situated near San Francisco as challenging and very interesting. ALMS points´ leader Rinaldo Capello says: “Sears Point is without doubt one of the most difficult tracks of the season.“ The Italian has already won four rounds this year and in 2000 climbed to the top of the podium in Sears Point. “That was my first success with the R8 and the beginning of our winning streak last year. I hope it works again this time.“

Capello shares the cockpit of the number one Infineon Audi R8 with Tom Kristensen, who competes for the first time in Sears Point. “Most of the circuits this year are new territory for me,“ says the Dane. “But by now that hasn´t been a problem.“

The number two Infineon Audi R8 is piloted by Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro. “After our Le Mans win we now need a victory in the American Le Mans Series, otherwise the fight for the title is going to be really tough for Emanuele and me,“ declares Frank Biela. “We´ve had enough of second place...“

“Last year things didn´t go at all well for us in Sears Point, because we hadn´t found the right set-up,“ recalls Emanuele Pirro. “Still, I like the circuit, even though it´s not without danger.“

For the Audi Sport North America squad, tough competition comes not only from Panoz and Cadillac, but also from the own customer outfit, Champion Racing. Ex F1 driver Johnny Herbert shares the cockpit of the 2000-spec Audi R8 with Andy Wallace.

Friday, 20 July
12:40 – 14:10 - Test session

Saturday, 21 July
09:00 – 10:00 - 1st free practice
13:45 – 14:45 - 2nd free practice
17:25 – 17:45 - Qualifying

Sunday, 22 July
08:30 – 09:00 - Warm-up
12:00 – 14:45 - Race


All times are local times

Sears Point Raceway

LMP 900

1

Rinaldo Capello Audi R8

Tom Kristensen

2

Frank Biela Audi R8

Emanuele Pirro

7

Christophe Tinseau Cadillac LMP 01

Emmanuel Collard

8

Wayne Taylor Cadillac LMP 01

Max Angelelli

37

Jon Field Lola B2K/10 / Judd

Rick Sutherland

38

Andy Wallace Champion Audi

Johnny Herbert

50

Jan Magnussen Panoz LMP1

David Brabham

51

Klaus Graf Panoz LMP1

Franck Lagorce


LMP 675

11

Mel Hawkins Lola B2K/40 / Nissan

Steven Knight

57

Milka Duno Reynard 01Q / Judd

John Graham

Didier de Radigues


GTS

3

Ron Fellows  Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

Johnny O'Connell

4

Andy Pilgrim Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

Kelly Collins

26

Franz Konrad Saleen S7R

Terry Borcheller

44

Tom Weickardt Dodge Viper GTS-R

Gene Martindale

45

Jeff Altenburg Dodge Viper GTS-R

TBA


GT

6

Boris Said BMW M3 GTR

Hans Stuck

10

Bill Auberlen BMW M3 GTR

Niclas Jönsson

15

Randy Wars Porsche 911 GT3-R

Grady Willingham

22

Randy Pobst Porsche 911 GT3-RS

Christian Menzel

23

Lucas Luhr Porsche 911 GT3-RS

Sascha Maassen

30

Michael Petersen Porsche 911 GT3-RS

Johnny Mowlem

Timo Bernhard

42

JJ Lehto BMW M3 GTR

Jörg Müller

43

Fredrik Ekblom BMW M3 GTR

Dirk Müller

52

Philip Collin Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Tony Burgess

66

Kevin Buckler Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Tyler McQuarrie

67

TBA Porsche 911 GT3 RS

TBA

69

Kye Wankum Porsche 911 GT3 R

Jeff Pabst



LMP 900 = 8
LMP 675 = 2
GTS = 5
GT = 12
Total = 27

NBC Sports
Eurosport
The Le Mans winning Audi R8 #1, driven by Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro, followed by the #2 Audi R8 and the #8 Bentley
Audi R8 engine with direct fuel injection
Cadillac #5 driven by Eric Bernard, Emmanuel Collard and Marc Goossens
Audi driver Rinaldo Capello (#2) in first qualifying on Wednesday
Audi driver Frank Biela (#1) in first qualifying on Wednesday
Johnny Herbert in the Champion Racing Audi R8 in the rain
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