Home » Blog » News » Allan McNish to strengthen the Audi Squad at Petit Le Mans
20 September 2008 | Posted in News
Britain’s Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Allan McNish has unexpectedly been drafted in to strengthen the Audi's American team for next month’s Petit Le Mans 1,000-mile race at Road Atlanta (4 Oct).
The 38-year-old former triple American Le Mans Series champion switched to compete in the European-based equivalent this year and signed off with a spectacular victory at Silverstone recently (14 Sep).
But McNish will now extend his 2008 season for Audi Sport by racing an R10 TDI alongside regular co-driver Dindo Capello and fellow Italian Emanuele Pirro.
McNish bids for his fourth Petit Le Mans victory aiming to keep his 100% winning record intact after wins in 2000 – with Capello and the late Michele Alboreto – and Capello for the last two years.
“Petit has been good for Dindo and I, we have raced three times and won there three times, but I think this year it will be very tough to call whether we can make it four out of four,” commented McNish.
“Last year, after 1,000 miles we won by less than one second and in 2008 with Peugeot, several Acura's and Porsche, I think it will be the best Petit Le Mans yet.
“Until last week my season was due to finish at the last LMS round at Silverstone but I was pleased to be able to do this extra race in America. I love the fast and flowing track and the 100,000 crowd certainly make the atmosphere very special.”
Audi is unbeaten in this classic US long-distance race after making its debut on the undulating 2.54-mile Georgia track in 2000. The Audi R8 won six times in succession (2000-05) with the Audi R10 TDI triumphant in 2006 and ‘07.
The McNish/Capello/Pirro R10 TDI will be joined in the penultimate ALMS race of the season by the “sister” Audi Sport North America entry of German duo Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner who have already clinched the ALMS LM P1 Drivers’ Championship.
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