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Three diesel-powered Audi racing sports cars at 78th Le Mans

Cetane_100 — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:34:13 +0000

Audi will start the 78th edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12/13 with a total of three diesel-powered racing sports cars. At a press conference of the organizer, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), in Le Mans (France), Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich announced Audi’s driver line-up for the most important sports car race of the year.
The Audi squad will be spearheaded by the Italian Dindo Capello, Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and the Scot Allan McNish, who in total, have scored twelve Le Mans victories. In 2008, they jointly clinched the eighth Le Mans triumph for Audi.
With eight wins under his belt, Tom Kristensen (42) is the most successful Le Mans driver of all time and has just been voted “sports car driver of the decade” by the British racing magazine “Autosport.” Allan McNish (40) was the runner-up in this voting. With a track record of 29 overall wins, Dindo Capello (45) leads the roll of honor in the American Le Mans Series by a wide margin.
The second Audi R15 TDI will be shared by Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany). The two Porsche “factory” drivers Timo Bernhard (28) and Romain Dumas (32) made a strong showing in their first race for Audi at Le Mans last year. Audi “factory” driver Mike Rockenfeller (26) won the Le Mans Series in 2008 in the Audi R10 TDI and successfully began his 2010 season with an overall victory at the 24-hour race at Daytona (USA) at the end of January.
New signings Marcel Fässler (Switzerland), André Lotterer (Belgium) and Benoît Treluyer (France) have been selected to drive the third R15 TDI. Marcel Fässler (33) and Benoît Treluyer (33) have contested the 24-hour race at Le Mans several times before. André Lotterer (28) performed admirably last year on his Le Mans debut at the wheel of a privately fielded R10 TDI.
All three Audi R15 TDI cars are entered by Audi Sport Team Joest and designated as cars number 7, 8 and 9. The third sports-prototype will officially run as “Audi Sport North America,” the name under which it was nominated.
“We are pleased that the ACO has accepted our three nominations for the world’s most important sports car race and that we will again be able to compete with three cars,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Our stated goal is to bring back the Le Mans trophy to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Three cars mean three chances – and we feel that all three R15 TDI cockpits have been filled with top-class drivers. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues from Porsche for again making two of their best drivers – Timo (Bernhard) and Romain (Dumas), with whom we were very pleased at their first Le Mans race for Audi – available to us.”

Eight victories in just eleven Le Mans races
Audi has been competing in the 24-hour race at Le Mans since 1999 and, having started just eleven of the events, has won the French endurance classic as many as eight times. By clinching its ninth win, the brand with the four rings would equal Ferrari’s ranking in the race’s roll of honor. Only Porsche has scored more victories in its long Le Mans history.
Audi has deliberately opted for a long-term commitment at Le Mans. In addition to speed, reliability and efficiency are the key factors of success in this race. Furthermore, the LMP1 class is unrivaled by any other motorsport category in terms of offering the opportunity to field production-derived technologies and to test them in racing conditions.
Audi’s victorious campaign at Le Mans has been closely tied to technological innovations from the outset. In 1999, Audi clinched a podium result at its first Le Mans race thanks to reliable technology. In 2000, the pioneering Audi R8, which dominated the sports car scene for more than six years and celebrated a total of five Le Mans victories, made its debut.
From 2001 onward, a TFSI engine was used. Audi then successfully introduced the combination of gasoline direct injection and turbo-charging into production vehicles as well. Today, this technology has become an integral element of Audi AG’s model range.

Triumph of TDI technology

In 2006, Audi made worldwide headlines by clinching the first victory of a diesel-powered racing sports car in the 80 plus year history of the Le Mans race. As with the Audi R8, Audi Sport Team Joest scored three successive Le Mans wins with the revolutionary Audi R10 TDI. This makes Audi the only automobile manufacturer in the world to “own” as many as two Le Mans trophies. Only a team that manages a hat-trick at Le Mans may keep the silverware.
In 2010, Audi again banks on TDI technology which continues to be considered the world’s most efficient technology for the French endurance classic. The Audi R15 TDI that was fielded for the first time last year, has been subjected to further development in numerous details and internally bears the project name “R15 plus.” It is the first second-generation diesel racing sports car to be powered by an Audi V10 TDI engine with a power output of over 440 kW and features numerous technological innovations such as a lithium ion battery and a higher-voltage onboard power supply system.

The Audi Teams at Le Mans 2010

#7 Dindo Capello (I)/Tom Kristensen (DK)/Allan McNish (GB)

#8 Marcel Fässler (CH)/André Lotterer (D)/Benoît Treluyer (F)

#9 Timo Bernhard (D)/Romain Dumas (F)/Mike Rockenfeller (D)

Three diesel-powered Audi racing sports cars at 78th Le Mans is a post from: Diesel Racer

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Racing Under Green

Cetane_100 — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:26:29 +0000

VW presents Racing Under Green. Season one of the Jetta TDI Cup. From a 16-year old Karting champion to a 26-year old Iraq War veteran, Racing Under Green delivers as much drama off the track as there is on as 30 young drivers race 30 identical clean diesel race cars for $100,000 and the dream of racing professionally. Filmed during the inaugural season of the Jetta TDI Cup Series, the documentary takes you to eight action-packed races across the country that will have you rooting, gasping, and cheering till the last lap. Check back soon for a behind the scenes look at the filming of Season Two of the Jetta TDI Cup, shown exclusively here on TDI Truth & Dare.

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The flying Bio Beast

Cetane_100 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:24:34 +0000

Does 5.9 cummins with ht custom turbo, diesel dynamics injectors, sheid cam, industrial injection cp3 pump, turbonetics intercooler make you curious?? Does a third place finish in the SCORE 2006 Baja 1000 in November of 2006 speaks for itself?? Loren Worthington and his Bio-diesel Dodge Ram 2500 participated and showed in many other races also that bio diesel, perfomance engines and motorsport fit together. This truck is for sale. Loren is having a hart time letting go but at times circumstances require action we not always like. So it will be a soory Loren and one happu camper getting “that thing” to shake the deserts while competing. A race ready, 3-seater Doge truck can be in your garage, why dont find out more?? Visit Puro Off Road for more information on that exceptional deal.

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Audi improves the clean diesel breed

Cetane_100 — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:45:36 +0000

Over the last two decades, Audi has been particularly active in motorsports, first in rallying- where its Quattro all wheel drive was spawned – and later on race tracks – where it debuted gasoline direct injection on the R8. Most recently, the R10 and the R15 have taken diesel technology to new heights with three consecutive wins at Le Mans.

Audi’s now using that racing success to boost its first U.S. clean diesel vehicle, the Q7 TDI, which is finally going on sale about now. Last fall, in the cross country Mileage Marathon, the 50-state legal Q7s averaged about 29 mpg, far more than any of the big hybrid SUVs can manage. Yes, diesel contains more carbon than gasoline but the 30 percent improvement in efficiency far outweighs the extra carbon content and still yields about a 25 percent cut in CO2 emissions. While even clean diesels also produce more NOx than current gasoline engines, they are a huge improvement over they were and the particulate filters like those used on the race cars eliminate the soot.

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Peugeot Bringing Diesel Hybrid to 2009 Le Mans Race

Cetane_100 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:19:34 +0000

Peugeot intends to race a diesel hybrid version of its 908 prototype at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jean-Philippe Collin, the French automaker’s new CEO, revealed the plans in an interview with L-Equipe, revealing that the vehicle could see competition as early as November 2008 at the ACO 1,000km challenge in Shanghai. We predict success for the first diesel electric hybrid racecar, it’ll be able to combine the excellent fuel economy and torque characteristics of both diesels and hybrids and would be positioned to take advantage of any future rule changes that benefit hybrid technology. F1, for example, is actively working to bring power added by regenerative braking to the sport.

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Diesel Motorcycle to enter SCORE Baja 250

Cetane_100 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:10:00 +0000

Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT) USA, the maker of the world’s only motorcycle purpose built diesel motorcycle engine, is entering the 2009 SCORE International Baja 250 which will be run in San Felipe, Mexico on March 14th. The world renowned off-road race will serve as a proving ground for the well tested and well prepared composite race team made up of members from HDT USA and Team SRD. The newly formed team will combine their successes from the diesel motorcycle land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats and their class 22 podium producing finish in the 2008 SCORE Baja 500.

In the early ’70s HDT raced and sold Pentons (early KTMs) and produced high-performance suspension and engine parts for motocrossers. In 2000 they sent the Marines their first diesel prototype motorcycle (based on the Kawasaki KLR650) for testing; the production model was delivered by HDT in September of 2006. Current owner of HDT Fred Hayes and associate Bryon Schmidt—both veterans—enjoy using racing to develop diesel record-breaking motorcycles at Bonneville. HDT USA is honored to serve the men and women of our Armed Forces by providing the best equipment possible. HDT USA is proud to provide the best in diesel motorcycle technology to both our government and civilian customers.

Longtime motorcycle enthusiast Bryon Schmidt will be the team’s rider of record. Bryon (42), from Hesperia, California, serves as a chief diesel motorcycle maintenance consultant and senior testing specialist for HDT USA which is under contract with the Department of Defense for the production of the military version of the diesel motorcycle. Bryon was hired by HDT USA after faithfully completing a successful career in the US Marine Corps having been the chief instructor at the USMC Combat Motorcycle School.

Kirk Russell (46), from Bend, Oregon, will ride the second half the 232 mile race, starting at race mile 120. Kirk was a member of the 2008 SRD race team that made its first appearance on the podium in the Baja 500. Kirk brings four decades of racing experience to the team. He is also the first one that raced the 670cc diesel motorcycle in any off-road sanctioned race. In that inaugural race, Kirk held his own in a 2008 AMA District 38 desert race by completing the first lap as one of the first 10 bikes to come in – he was competing in the Open, Expert class. Even more impressive was the fact that it was his very first time to ride the 420 lb motorcycle. Kirk is a former #1 plate holder for the Oregon Desert Racing Organization (ODRA).

The HDT motorcycle diesel engine is based on state-of-the-art high-speed automotive diesel engine technology, engineered into a complete power unit suitably sized and packaged for installation in a compact on/off road motorcycle. The basis of the design is a technology demonstrator program for a motorcycle diesel engine carried out by Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. The aim is to produce the best possible power and torque without the need for turbocharging. To achieve good power, an advanced, thermally robust, free-breathing four valve cylinder head is used, in combination with an indirect injection combustion system and intensive development and tailoring of the fuel injection characteristics. Indirect injection also gives lower combustion pressures – enabling lighter engine construction, less ‘diesel knock’ and low particulate emissions.

Jeff Smith (46), from Oceanside, California, will serve as the team’s backup rider. Jeff also develops the training plan to support the riders in their preparation for the race as well as writes the rider’s “Smart Pack” and chase team’s logistical “Chase Plan” to execute the race in a seamless and well orchestrated fashion. Jeff credits Kirk and his father Mike Russell for introducing him into desert racing as they first started racing together in the mid-1970s. Jeff’s also brings a fierce competitive spirit to the team from having served 22 years in the US Marine Corps.

The dynamic duo of Justin & Heather Herrmann (24 & 23), from Vista, California provide the “logistical support” to HDT USA / Team SRD. Strategic Racing Designs (SRD) is co-owned by these two award winning & enterprising high-performance off-road fabrication specialists. In addition to designing & building “one-off” products for the demanding off-road industry, Justin brings a decade & a half of motocross / supercross racing experience to the team. Having reached the pinnacle of his supercross career, and now turning his interests toward the off-road industry, Justin’s racing consultation, enthusiasm and mechanical expertise serve the team well. Heather’s background in administration, parts & service round out the team’s needs as she brings years of experience running the “front office”. She also designs industry oriented eye catching graphics for team vehicles and team apparel and documents team events with unsurpassed video presentations.

With Sal Fish & SCORE International heavily promoting the use of alternative fuels and “greener” race vehicles, HDT USA / Team SRD is both proud & excited to introduce the off-road world to the capabilities, performance & endurance of the diesel motorcycle as they compete in the infamous Baja Series off-road races.

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Audi R10 TDI to take on Le Mans 2009

Cetane_100 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 06:13:06 +0000

While Audi will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of its factory commitment with the new R15 TDI in 2009, Dr Colin Kolles is planning to buy two Audi R10 TDI cars for his racing team. The privately fielded prototypes are planned to return to the venues of their greatest exploits in 2009: to the European-based Le Mans Series and to the 24-hour race at Le Mans, in which the Audi R10 TDI has not been beaten so far.

Since the 2006 season Audi has been cooperating with Dr Colin Kolles, who has entered two Audi A4 DTM cars in the DTM since that time. Now, the team owner based in Greding near Ingolstadt wants to extend his motorsport involvement to the sportscar area on his own initiative. The team plans to contest the 24-hour race at Le Mans on 13 and 14 June 2009 as well as the five rounds of the European-based Le Mans Series.

Audi Sport will sell two R10 TDI vehicles to Dr Kolles for this purpose and complement the agreement by a service package encompassing support for the private racing commitments by members of Audi Sport’s technical staff.

“We welcome the fact that Dr Kolles decided to take on this commitment and wants to purchase two Audi R10 TDI cars,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “While on the factory side of the house we are concentrating on the development and fielding of the new R15 TDI sportscar as well as on the DTM, we are pleased to see that the R10 TDI will be privately entered in future and that racing vehicles of the Audi brand will continue to be represented in the Le Mans Series. That is why we agreed to the sale of the cars. However, our involvement will be strictly limited to providing support under the terms of the service agreement.”

In the 2006, 2007 and 2008 racing years, the Audi R10 TDI clinched as many as 22 overall victories in 38 worldwide entries. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as in the final LM P1 classification of the American Le Mans Series during that time frame the Audi R10 TDI remained unbeaten and last year won the LM P1 class of the European-based Le Mans Series as well.

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