Audi 2005 news... - Page 3

vs346 · 10 Nov 2004, 15:23 (Ref:1149569)

This is true Regis, and there's no 24 Hours at the 'ring to conflict this year either (if there is one at all, thanks to F1--check DSC)

Fab, you're correct about the conflicting contracts of each driver previously mentioned. Didn't think about that, and was just going for most entertaining lineups.

Mal · 19 Nov 2004, 17:08 (Ref:1158367)

DSC are reporting that Audi are having a press conference on Novemeber 25th to anounce their plans for 2005 and that their plans to defend their sports prototype titles are currently taking shape!

vs346 · 19 Nov 2004, 19:36 (Ref:1158532)

the waiting begins...

tblincoe · 19 Nov 2004, 20:09 (Ref:1158558)

factory drivers really aren't a problem though... if you remember Audi UK ran the R8 with absolutely no factory drivers until Le Mans when Frank Biela was released by Joest in the US to race with Audi UK, so I don't think Audi insists on factory drivers being in privateer entries...

vs346 · 20 Nov 2004, 05:48 (Ref:1158978)

I agree tblincoe that Audi would probably not insist on factory drivers being inserted, however I do think that someone like Oreca would have an easier time nabbing Biela than say Bourdais or Montagny. Other than the previous engagements previously mentioned by Fab, the connections between Biela and Audi are so strong, one would have to be crazy not to jump at the chance.

So I'm going to say (seriously this time) that if Oreca were to commit to an R8 (still doubtful)
for LM, and considering Audi UK drivers are in the air, McNish, Davies, Tinseau, Kristensen, Capello, Guy Smith, Dalmas, and even Seiji Ara are all likely candidates.

Fab · 20 Nov 2004, 07:13 (Ref:1159003)

For Dalmas : I had a dinner with one of his relatives last week-end, and he seems to live in USA now, racing an american serie... which one ? We don't know... and I found nothing about him on the net more recent than three years...

I can't see Oreca involved in a, say, "old" R8 program. Hugues de Chaunac always looks for "fresh" stuff...

Happy Snapper · 23 Nov 2004, 06:56 (Ref:1161480)

Only a few more days and we will see, I await the press release from Audi sport! or read it here!

**Aysedasi** · 23 Nov 2004, 09:08 (Ref:1161532)

I got one from Audi UK yesterday........

Gilles · 23 Nov 2004, 10:31 (Ref:1161625)

Quote:

Originally posted by Fab
Bourdais has a moral contract with Pescarolo ; I can't see him taking the wheel for another team for the time beeing.

Dalmas seems retired for a long time now.

Montagny focuses his career on F1, with its Renault contract.

Collard has got this Porsche contract.

But Tinseau seems free, and keen to race at LM again.

For Oreca, I think they're only interrested to developp a programm with a factory, as Veloqx uses to.

Why Not Benoit Treluyer ??

Wout · 23 Nov 2004, 11:44 (Ref:1161668)

Quote:

Originally posted by Aysedasi
I got one from Audi UK yesterday........

well..

vs346 · 23 Nov 2004, 15:52 (Ref:1161848)

Wout, you mind telling us what Audi UK said?

**Aysedasi** · 23 Nov 2004, 15:55 (Ref:1161852)

Well, they said very little to me......

Discussion of Audi's general level of success in 2004.....

My personal invitation to the press conference in Essen on 25th November.....

Plans to be formally announced at the show.....

rdjones · 23 Nov 2004, 19:55 (Ref:1162049)

Quote:

Originally posted by Aysedasi
Well, they said very little to me......

Discussion of Audi's general level of success in 2004.....

My personal invitation to the press conference in Essen on 25th November.....

Plans to be formally announced at the show.....

I'll see you there then Ayse as I got an invite too. Oh just rembered I can't make due to a lack of hoilday...........

JAG · 23 Nov 2004, 20:41 (Ref:1162094)

So it looks like Audi will be in the LMES afterall, but who with?

tblincoe · 23 Nov 2004, 21:20 (Ref:1162138)

Quote:

Originally posted by JAG
So it looks like Audi will be in the LMES afterall, but who with?

that would be the question of the day!

Wout · 24 Nov 2004, 06:38 (Ref:1162473)

If Audi UK is inviting people for the press conference, I guess they will be involved in the Audi future plans.

Imagine Aysedasi and Rdjones travelling to Essen to hear that Audi UK will quit the motorsport program..

JAG · 24 Nov 2004, 06:46 (Ref:1162474)

Are announcements, such as the Audi one, top secret or are certain members of the press informed about future plans etc. before official announcements are actually made?

mikmx · 25 Nov 2004, 09:00 (Ref:1163559)

Sometimes news is coming under embargo date. Its for magazine's/newspapers that are otherwise unable to publish it in their upcoming issue. If the press officer wants it in that issue he will give it to them. So if Autosport gives the news a day later in the magazine than they had the info before the official date

gwyllion · 25 Nov 2004, 13:16 (Ref:1163784)

No news yet? According to fourtitude.com the press conference begins at 1 pm.

Audi also plans to present a new variant of the Audi A4. Maybe the long awaited RS4

Gilles · 25 Nov 2004, 13:23 (Ref:1163791)

Quote:

Originally posted by gwyllion
No news yet? ....

"Racing is life. Anything before and after is just WAITING ! "

MulsanneMike · 25 Nov 2004, 13:26 (Ref:1163794)

So far just a press release recomminting them to DTM with the A4.

MulsanneMike · 25 Nov 2004, 13:34 (Ref:1163801)

Update!

New sportscar prototype for 2006

Therefore, a new prototype sportscar is being planned, which should replace the R8 prototype in 2006. The first tests are planned for the end of 2005, and the 12-hour race in Sebring held during March 2006 is seen as test event. "This extremely hard race has already proven its worth during the R8 project as an excellent dress rehearsal for Le Mans,” states Audi Motorsport Head Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

gwyllion · 25 Nov 2004, 13:35 (Ref:1163805)

Quote:

Originally posted by MulsanneMike
So far just a press release recomminting them to DTM with the A4.

For people interessed in it, it is available on news.kak.net

http://news.kak.net/modules.php?op=m...rder=0&thold=0

Quote:

In total four new A4 DTM cars, driven by Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen, Martin Tomczyk and Allan McNish, will race. Christian Abt, Rinaldo Capello, Pierre Kaffer and Frank Stippler compete with the successful cars from the 2004 season.

Quote:

In parallel to the works DTM entry, Audi Sport develops a new prototype-sportscar as successor to the Audi R8 for 2006. The R8 starts its sixth and final season in 2005. Audi supports the corresponding involvement of the Importer Teams with its works drivers. In 2005 they are Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany). For the Le Mans 24 Hours, additional drivers from the DTM squad will be made available.

MulsanneMike · 25 Nov 2004, 13:49 (Ref:1163835)

Full text of the Audi sports car press release:

2004/11/25
Audi and the sportscar prototypes in 2005: Farewell tour for the Audi R8

The 2005 season is sixth and, at the same time, the last for the Audi R8 the most successful Le Mans Prototype of all time. 52 victories from 62 races so far, and counting. New regulations are valid for the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the sportscar race series in America (ALMS) and Europe (LMES) derived from the French long-distance classic.

New sportscar prototype for 2006

Therefore, a new prototype sportscar is being planned, which should replace the R8 prototype in 2006. The first tests are planned for the end of 2005, and the 12-hour race in Sebring held during March 2006 is seen as test event. "This extremely hard race has already proven its worth during the R8 project as an excellent dress rehearsal for Le Mans,” states Audi Motorsport Head Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Audi R8 with handicaps

The last season for the Audi R8 will probably be its toughest. After 13 wins in 14 races during 2004, the R8 must probably compete with a higher minimum weight and further reduced engine power. "Already last season we mainly owed our success to the enviable reliability, consistency and low fuel consumption of the Turbo FSI engine,” explains Dr Ullrich. "These advantages can’t be snatched from us. The fifth Le Mans victory and the successful title defence in the ALMS and LMES are our targets in spite of the additional handicaps. We will adapt the R8 as well as possible to the new demands of the regulations.”

ALMS, LMES and Le Mans

Works supported importer teams assume responsibility for the race logistic of the Audi R8 during the 2005 season. Audi USA and Audi France plan campaigns in the American Le Mans Series, at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the Le Mans Endurance Series. "The importers will announce their programmes over the course of the next few weeks as soon as all the details are fixed.”

Importers supported with works drivers

As usual Audi supports the involvement of customer and importer teams with its works drivers. During the 2005 season they are the seasoned campaigners Frank Biela (40), Emanuele Pirro (42) and Marco Werner (38). Biela and Pirro won the endurance classic in France three times in succession together with the R8 and each of them won the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) once. Marco Werner is the first driver to have successfully defended his title in the top ALMS prototype category.

gwyllion · 25 Nov 2004, 13:58 (Ref:1163848)

Want does this mean?

* ALMS (Champion Racing): Lehto and Werner
* LMES (Audi France): Biela and Pirro

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