Farewell to Audi R15 TDI set for Sebring

The Audi R15 TDI will be making its last appearance at this weekend’s 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19. Its career started with a win in this event two years ago, the ninth for Audi in this traditional event in US state of Florida since 2000.

At this year’s Sebring 12-hour race Adi will be running with two R15 TDI that will be driven by Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Mike Rockenfeller (D/F/D), last year’s Le Mans winners, and Dindo Capello/Allan McNish/Tom Kristensen (I/GB/DK), Le-Mans winners from 2008.

For this year’s race the R18 TDI have suffered some technical modifications to comply with the new regulations, now carrying the project name “R15 plus plus” internally. For these cars to compete the 5.5 liter V10 engine in the Audi R15 TDI must now draw air through two intake-air restrictors of 33.5 millimeter diameter. Other modifications include the boost pressure reduced by 23 percent to 2,000 millibar and the fuel tank that can only hold 65 litres.

“The drivers felt the engine restrictions very clearly during the test in Florida. They miss several dozen horsepower,” explains Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director of Audi Sport Team Joest. “The reduction in tank volume sounds drastic at first, but the engine obviously also consumes less. The slower flow rate from the external tank means that pit stops will certainly not be any shorter despite the smaller fuel tank volume.”

At Sebring Audi Sport Team Joest starts a long sports car season which will count with seven races, the Le Mans test weekend and numerous tests with the Audi R15 TDI and the new Audi R18. Audi is currently developing the R18 in parallel to the opening round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 (ILMC) season, in order to have it completely ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11/12.