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22 May 2007, 11:14 (Ref:1918673) | #1 | ||
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3rd Audi confirmed
http://www.planetlemans.com/cmsv2/in...=2719&Itemid=2
Great line-up and a huge challenge for the "established" Audi crews!! |
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22 May 2007, 11:47 (Ref:1918690) | #2 | ||
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That answers all those questions. I suppose if you have those drivers it would be a waste not to have them at Le Mans!
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22 May 2007, 11:52 (Ref:1918694) | #3 | ||
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Presume it will be an Audi 1-2-3 finish then, what fun
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22 May 2007, 12:01 (Ref:1918703) | #4 | ||
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Yeah they should employ rubbish drivers - it would be more sporting
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22 May 2007, 12:10 (Ref:1918712) | #5 | ||
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Yesss, Rockenfeller on board! That'll be the Audi I'll be cheering for then!
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22 May 2007, 12:16 (Ref:1918720) | #6 | |||
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I'd rather not presume anything. The report also confirms that the Biela, Pirro, Werner car will carry the #1 after all. |
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22 May 2007, 14:53 (Ref:1918817) | #7 | ||
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Whilst the line up on paper looks strong Ekstrom to my knowledge has no sportscar racing experince, at least no Le Mans experince anyway. The same situation applies for Premat, Premat has limited DTM experince and even less in sportscars really he is a single seater driver first and foremost and the longest he has raced for is a 75 minute DTM race, hardly a endurance racing background. Rockenfeller has sportscar racing experince of course, but no LMP experince and he too isnt a experinced driver when it comes to 24 hour races. Sure Audi and Peugeot start as favourites but the Lieb/Premat/Rockenfeller car is perhaps the chink in Audis armour.
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22 May 2007, 15:02 (Ref:1918822) | #8 | |
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I really hoped Ekstrom would be in the 3th car and not the reserve.
If Kristensen is not fit by Le Mans, I will be cheering for Capello-Ekstrom-McNish, else for Luhr-Premat-Rockenfeller. Ekstrom will do some laps on the test day. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do. |
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22 May 2007, 15:10 (Ref:1918828) | #9 | |||
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Isn't too experienced at 24 hour races.... despite having won at Nurburgring, Le Mans and Spa... all 24 hour races. (and of course in 06' competed at Daytona, where his car led a good portion of the race.) BTW, it isn't Lieb, it is Luhr. I think your well off base on your conclusions, and I might assert that Audi's experience, and capability of choosing drivers, is slightly better than some armchair quarterbacks. |
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22 May 2007, 15:12 (Ref:1918829) | #10 | ||
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Both Luhr and Rockenfeller showed their LMP capabilities in the ALMS LMP2 Porsches, and they both have loads of endurance experience. Premat might lack experience, but he's one hell of a fast driver and seems to be a quick learner.
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22 May 2007, 15:18 (Ref:1918831) | #11 | ||
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I think the 'quick learner' point is actually pretty important. Many drivers have proved over the years that you don't have to have completed many 24 hour races to win one.......
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22 May 2007, 15:53 (Ref:1918855) | #12 | ||
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Despite these "inexperienced" endurance racers you would probably still say the Audi squad was more experienced than the Peugeot squad. In addition, and as mentioned above, they are also the team with the most endurance experience. Peugeot overall and drivers like Villeneuve are the inexperienced ones.
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22 May 2007, 15:58 (Ref:1918859) | #13 | ||
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I remember a very unexperienced endurance driver named Tom Kristensen in1997! He won as the third driver together with Alboreto and Johansen. Tom was the fastest man at Le Mans that year! I sure hope he will be there i 2007 as well!
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22 May 2007, 16:03 (Ref:1918868) | #14 | |||
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Audi has three good squads. And perhaps the third car has a great 'rabbit' line-up. Will we see this car run at the front trying to push the Peugeot cars into problems? |
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22 May 2007, 16:20 (Ref:1918880) | #15 | ||
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22 May 2007, 17:40 (Ref:1918969) | #16 | |||
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I'm probably just naive - I never doubted for a moment the car would be there...... |
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22 May 2007, 17:47 (Ref:1918976) | #17 | |
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Sad to not see Ekstrom in the car; I tend to think he's deserved it after all his Audi years in DTM and with the title in 04. Oh well, maybe next year I suppose. Unless any of the Audi drivers slip in the bath, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone
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22 May 2007, 20:50 (Ref:1919087) | #18 | ||
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I think Kristensen's presence is unfortunately very much in doubt so you might see Ekstrom indeed.
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22 May 2007, 21:22 (Ref:1919109) | #19 | ||
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"Basically, he’s doing well," said Dr Ullrich. "However, when he subjects himself to excessive physical strain, Tom does not yet feel totally fit. These are normal symptoms after this kind of accident. At the moment, no doctor can predict when he’ll be fit again."
Audi UK Sport Press Release - 22.5.07 |
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23 May 2007, 06:10 (Ref:1919256) | #20 | |||
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I should have put money on this. No ill will to Thomas, but Ekstrom is the next in line as most of Audi lead drivers are in their mid to late 30's or older. It will be nice to see him hustle the car around, he may not have sportcar exp, but you don't win ROC being a sorry driver... He adapts himself well to just about any kind of car. Le Mans is going to be the BOMB |
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