Lemans 2009 - Audi have pulled out

[CarMadMike]

 

 

The self proclaimed leader in "green racing", the American Le Mans Series, will be losing one of its premier teams for 2009. After winning nine consecutive LMP1 championships with the R8 and then the R10 TDI, Audi will no longer have a works team in the ALMS in 2009. The only official Audi appearance in North America will be the debut run of the new R15 TDI at Sebring in March. After that, the R15 will go to Le Mans and Audi will be represented by the new A4 in DTM and the R8 LMS in GT3 racing.

 

Audi hasn't indicated whether it will make the R10s available to Champion Racing or any other team. Champion has been operating the Audi Sport North America program for several years. The current economic conditions have been cited by Audi racing boss Dr. Wolfgang Ulrich as part of the reason for withdrawing from ALMS and also the European Le Mans Series.

 

Source: Autoblog

[Speedtouch]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Real shame - they really made that sport. However I do think DTM and GT3 are far superior motorsports. Oh well.

[MR BAD]

I agree with you Speedtouch, Sorry to hear this but it would be far worse I think if they were to pull out of DTM or GT 3.

[Turkey Twizzler]

The most important thing is that they are going to be on Le Mans :) And yes, ST, I'm with you - GT3 FTW! :D

[KoenigseggBG]

Noo....shame....Audi were the best...:(

[Nodz86]

First Honda in F1 and now Audi in LMS. Shame to hear but they have dominated the series for so long, but with the R8 GT3 coming they can concentrate on that and continue with the A4 DTM, then come back in 2010 with the R15 and dominate again

[Turkey Twizzler]

I think I know what is the reason - Porsche also want to be in the LMP1 and that is why they pulled Audi out - I heard these comments on Le Mans this year :/

[Nodz86]

I think I know what is the reason - Porsche also want to be in the LMP1 and that is why they pulled Audi out - I heard these comments on Le Mans this year :/

 

But if that is true, then why haven't they pulled the R8 out of the GT3??

[Turkey Twizzler]

They wanted to concentrate on GT3 or something like that..

[DriftNismo]

Yeah, it's a shame, but like Nodz said, at least it lets them concentrate on the R8 GT3 for a bit. Will like to see a video of the R15 TDI run at Sebring though...

[HavockJoker]

:cry: But they still will have their other cars to compete.

[Nige]

Audi haven't pulled out of Le Mans they have pulled out of the American Le Mans Series which technically they haven't officially because they will be at the 12 hours of Sebring showing off the Audi R15 and thats part of the ALMS calendar.

 

I am proper gutted because I have become a real fan of the ALMS lately and Audi pretty much made the series never mind LMP1 :cry:.

 

Never mind I guess with the economic climate has weak as it is we have to expect some companies to pull out of their motorsport commitments to save money :(.

[iBilo]

Motorsport's going to slump in the next few years...

[Rtoups]

Damn, I loved watching Audi in LMP1. At least they will be at Sebring...

[Samurai Lincoln]

Well, I'm glad the RS Spyders will get a little breathing room, but it'll definitely cut down on competition.

What I myself am particularly upset about is the ACO (Group that decides what can run in Le Mans) has yet to repeal the change they made, restricting the MC12 Corsa's from competing in the various series that they oversee.

Still, It'll be sad to see them go, even though they will almost definitely return next year (knowing Audi).

[ExplosiveGoats]

Greezy, your sig is wayyyyyyy too big!

[YeOldeTDUMan]

Yeah you're thread title is all wrong ... firstly it's "Le Mans" rather than "lemans" ... and secondly as Nige has pointed out Audi have only pulled out of the full AMLS season (the strangely named American Le Mans Series ... why can't they call it sportscar/GT racing?) ... Le Mans has been a race in it's own right for years, even in European racing where there is/was (not too sure which) a sportscar/gt race series

 

But then in my opinion Le Mans has gone down hill in recent years ... no decent enclosed LMPs for years