Zoom A first race in the Ardennes for the R10 TDI

This weekend, the Audi R10 TDI will make its racing debut at Spa-Francorchamps, on one of the world's most demanding race tracks. With a length of 7.004 kilometres, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest race track on the schedule of the Le Mans-Series.

For Audi, the race in the Belgian Ardennes is more than just the third round of the Le Mans Series: with every racing kilometre, valuable know-how is being collected, which is fed into the next generation of Audi TDI engines.

With the R10 TDI project, Audi proved its pioneering spirit yet again. The brand with the four rings was the first automobile manufacturer to venture the project of creating a diesel sportscar for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The courage of innovation was rewarded: in 2006 Audi made headlines around the world with the first-ever Le Mans victory of a diesel engine. In 2007 the R10 TDI was again triumphant at Le Mans.

The duel between the quick diesel sportscars from Audi and Peugeot has been dominating the headlines in the European Le Mans Series, which will be staged at Spa-Francorchamps from 9 to 11 May.

The Audi youngsters Alexandre Premat (France) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) are coming to Belgium as the leaders of the drivers' standings and want to defend their lead. Their team-mates Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) were struck by considerable misfortune at the two first races and are eager to finally clinch a podium position.

Practice sessions at Spa-Francorchamps will start on Friday 9 May. Qualifying will take place on Saturday; the race is scheduled to start on Sunday at 12:50 (local time).

Allan McNish:
"Everybody likes racing at Spa. The circuit is quick and fluid. Corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont are legendary and truly a challenge. A qualifying lap at Spa is something very special because it's difficult to manage a perfect lap. All the more rewarding is the feeling when you've done it."

© CAPSIS International