Peugeot Takes 1 and 2 in Atlanta

The 2011 Petit Le Mans was a shocker of a race. The race in the LMP class was full of hard racing and contact.  Peugeot snatched victory from Audi to take first and second in the fastest class.

Peugeot has had great luck in the US in general. It won the 12 Hours of Sebring in March at the beginning of the American Le Mans season, and it won last weekend at the Petit Le Mans. In fact they have had great luck worldwide. In the Intercontinental Cup, which is the ACO's world championship for sports car racing, a Peugeot team has won every race this year except for the series crown jewel-- the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it managed second. There is one race race left in the Intercontinental Cup on November 12 in Zhuhei, China. Regardless of Peugeot's performance there, it is hard to say that its season this year has been anything but a success. 

The LMP Challenge car put in a great race. The first in class Genoa Racing car came in ninth overall, which is higher than even the fastest LMP2 cars by 11 places. All of the LMPC cars use an Oreca chassis powered by a 6.2l, Chevrolet LS3 engine. 

The BMW team of Dirk Mueller, Joey Hand and Andy Priaulx who had already won the American Le Mans championship before coming to this race continued their domination by winning their class and coming in 10th overall at Road Atlanta. The other BMW M3 driven by Bill Auberlen, Dirk Werner and Augusto Farfus came in second in class. 

The Krohn Racing Ferrari F430 was first in the GT Amateur class and 19th overall. Level Five Motorsports' Honda-powered Lola won the LMP2 class in 20th overall. Black Swan Racing won the GT Challenge class in 21st overall. 

It was a fantastic race with a lot of attrition. There were 18 cars that did not finish the race. 

Peugeot and Audi are certainly looking forward to the final race in the Intercontinental Cup in Zhuhei. For Audi it a chance to prove themselves and get s second win this season. For Peugeot it is a opportunity to continue its dominance of sports car racing in 2011.