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12 Hours of Sebring (USA)Dress rehearsal for Le Mans
The 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida, which attracted more than 170,000 spectators last year and which simultaneously acts as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is one of the most important endurance races in the USA: The track built on a former airfield is regarded as being particularly hard on material. “If a car has any weaknesses these will be exposed mercilessly at Sebring,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “If a car holds together at Sebring you can then go to Le Mans with a relatively clear conscience.”
Every new Le Mans prototype from AUDI AG has celebrated its race debut on the track in the heart of Florida. Audi’s first ever sports car race ended with Audi Sport Team Joest clinching a podium finish for the Audi R8R in its first race. A year later the Audi R8 won on its debut at Sebring. On its premiere in 2006 the R10 TDITDISynonymous with muscular torque delivery and outstanding efficiency: TDI. Today, TDI engines are sporty, smooth and economical.TDI provided Audi with the first victory worldwide for a diesel sports car in an important endurance race.
Eight successive Sebring victories
Up to now the brand with the four rings has won the 12-hour race at Sebring, which simultaneously acts as the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) opener, eight times, the last time in 2007. Because of the impressive winning streak between 2000 and 2007 Audi was accepted into the “Hall of Fame” last year.
In 2009, Audi Sport Team Joest fields two new Audi R15 TDI prorotypes driven by Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish and Lucas Luhr/Mike Rockenfeller/Marco Werner.
