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| New roadster on track for Sebring race Debut |
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The opening round of the American Le Mans Series is of particular importance for Audi. Like last year, the Sebring 12 Hour race in Florida will serve as a shakedown for Le Mans. Frank Biela lapped a test track in freezing conditions before Christmas (23 Dec) in the new roadster, an evolution of the Audi R8.
Audi's former British Touring Car Champion commented "The car was super and immediately felt right."
"Our new car has been built by Audi Sport in record time and we received the full support from all our partners," praised Dr Ullrich. "That was a great team effort. We wanted to have the first proper roll-out before Christmas so that we could start a proper test program immediately in the new year."
Team Joest Racing will again be responsible for entering a trio of open-topped Audi sports racing cars. Until its race début at Sebring, the new 600-bhp Audi R8 undergoes an intensive test program, which began successfully in Italy and continued in South Africa. "The car makes a tremendous impression," enthused Pirro.
Audi Sport North America is entering two open R8 sportscars in the entire American Le Mans Series. "The ALMS provides attractive motorsport," declared Dr. Ullrich. "We are extremely pleased to be able to fulfil the wish of Audi of America to compete there."
For Audi Sport, motorsport in the USA is by no means new terrain. In the 1980s, the Audi quattro took three consecutive victories at the legendary Pikes Peak mountain climb.
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