In the world’s most famous endurance race it is, in addition to speed, also more a question of reliability and efficiency – and to set trends afterwards. Audi has used Le Mans since 1999 to test technical innovations under racing conditions and has, in the process, repeatedly set milestones thanks to its technology leadership. In this way, the Audi R8 successfully introduced gasoline direct injection TFSI, with the Audi R10 TDI in 2006 a diesel powered car won for the first time in the history of the race.
         
The Audi R8 and Audi R10 TDI have one thing in common: Both were victorious on their Le Mans débuts. Audi Sport Team

Joest now aims to continue this phenomenal trend with the new Audi R15 TDI in Audi’s 100th anniversary year. A ninth victory – with only eleven participations – would see Audi draw level with Ferrari in the French endurance classic’s all-time winners list. Only Porsche has achieved more victories in its long Le Mans history.

The R15 TDI is packed with technical innovations. Among them a more compact, more efficient V10 TDI engine, logical lightweight construction, a totally new aerodynamic concept never before seen on a Le Mans sportscar and a novel vehicle power supply system using for the first time a lithium ion battery as used in hybrid vehicles of the next generation. It is lighter than a conventional battery and instead of supplying the more common twelve volts usually found in production cars, it supplies 15.2 volts. As a result of the higher power, electric consumers such as the starter motor can be designed to be smaller and lighter and thus increase the efficiency.

Logical lightweight design and construction
In general the Audi R15 TDI was trimmed logically for lightweight construction.The minimum weight of 900 kilograms originally stipulated by the regulations was significantly undercut through complex  and intricate measures in order to facilitate the best possible weight distribution. That the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) ordered the minimum weight to be increased by 30 kilograms for diesel cars at short notice before the race hit the Audi Sport technicians hard. As a result, the R15 TDI was robbed of one decisive advantage.

To fit the additional 30 kilograms in the aerodynamically refined car several R15 TDI components had to be modified and their durability checked in extra endurance tests. The green light for the final version was thus only given following a successful 30-hour test at Le Castellet at the end of May – less than three weeks before the race. A few days later, on May 29, the roll-out was made at a test track close to Ingolstadt for the three newly built-up race cars with the chassis numbers 104 (start number "1"), 105 (start number "2") and 101 (start number "3").

The new Audi R15 TDI demonstrated its potential in March on its victorious race début at Sebring (USA). Many details have been optimized on the diesel racing sportscar for Le Mans since then. Improved cockpit cooling also numbers among the modifications.

Aerodynamic Cd optimized
Furthermore, an aerodynamic version designed for efficiency is used for the first time at Le Mans. While the R15 TDI still races with maximum downforce, a more favorable Cd value for the long straights at Le Mans is of prime importance.

The R15 TDI nevertheless generates more downforce than its predecessor model the R10 TDI thanks to its innovative aerodynamic concept incorporating the uncompromising implementation of air-flow through the car.

Key factor tire wear
A very decisive factor during the 77th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be the lowest possible tire wear. Since only two, instead of the previously allowed four mechanics, can change tires during pit stops the standing time in the pit almost doubles. Therefore it will depend more than ever on being able to drive for as long as possible on the same set of tires without losing too much performance.
 
The six-hour free practice session on Wednesday evening and Thursday evening’s four-hour qualifying session were therefore of particular importance. Because there was no additional test day for the first time before the race, Audi Sport Team Joest used both days efficiently to find the optimum car set-up and to find the best tire choice for the race. Indeed, grid positions in a 24-hour race are of secondary importance for the final result.

Last year's winners Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) drive the Audi R15 TDI with car number "1". The three Germans Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner share car number "2".Sharing driving duties in the R15 TDI with car number "3" are Timo Bernhard (Germany) and the two Frenchmen Romain Dumas and Alexandre Prémat.

As well as by their car numbers, the three Audi R15 TDI can be distinguished by the different additional colors yellow (car #1) red (car #2) and black (car #3). The three Audi R15 TDI cars arrived in the paddock on Friday. The public technical scrutineering in the Le Mans town center was staged on Monday (June 8), practice began on Wednesday evening. The start is scheduled on Saturday (June 13) at 3:00 p.m.

Quotes before the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours:

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "The target is clear: We want to carry on where we left off in the previous years and continue our winning streak at Le Mans. We have a new car, the Audi R15 TDI, and were successful immediately with this car in its first race at Sebring. We know, however, that our competitors have improved in many aspects compared to the previous years and therefore expect possibly the toughest Le Mans race that we have ever contested. It’s a shame that we have to start with 30 kilograms more than we did at Sebring, particularly as weight optimization was an essential development target with the R15 TDI. We had to change quite a lot on the car because of the extra weight and complete additional endurance tests."

Dindo Capello (Audi R15 TDI #1): "It was good to have completed so many kilometers with the R15 TDI during the last test at Le Castellet. I think we are well prepared from both the driving and technical points of view. Obviously it will be a hard race since the competition is even stronger than last year. To win we have to be even better than in 2008 – no easy task. Le Mans has always been the most important race of the year for Audi, but this time it’s even more important. Audi even stopped its ALMS and LMS involvements to be able to develop the new R15 TDI for Le Mans. This shows how important the race is for the brand. We have to be completely focused on the task in hand and produce a perfect team performance."

Tom Kristensen (Audi R15 TDI #1): "We had a fantastic race with the new Audi R15 TDI against strong competition at Sebring in March. We’ve been working hard ever since, but have also been given 30 kilograms additional weight. We had to extend our test program because of this – one reason was to be absolutely sure we were on the safe side despite the higher weight. Another was obviously to optimize the car so that we could run as long as possible on a single set of tires despite the weight. Last year’s race was a genuine classic. Our lap times were not the quickest, but we won thanks to good team work and efficiency. We hope to close this performance gap with the R15 TDI. We want to exert pressure on the Peugeot team, which also never rests, just like Aston Martin and the other opponents. We are well prepared. I’m really looking forward to competing in the world’s greatest and fastest long-distance race and to be in the thick of the tough competition. I think we can expect a fantastic race."
 
Allan McNish (Audi R15 TDI #1): "Le Mans is the world’s greatest sports car race. It was fantastic that I was able to win it again last year – especially as we had battled with Peugeot for 23 hours and 45 minutes. I’m fully aware that the competition is getting stronger and stronger and that as defending champions we are the hunted ones. I believe that this race with be even tougher than 2008. Peugeot is looking for revenge, Aston Martin aims to show what they are capable of and we at Audi want to continue our amazing winning streak. I expect a sprint race for 24 hours, during which absolutely every one, no matter whether mechanic, engineer or driver, must do a perfect, mistake-free job so that we have a chance of winning. There was no test day at Le Mans this year, which means we’ll only see the genuine relative strengths on Thursday evening in qualifying."

Coutsey: Audi AG

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Posted by Amrith K.A on 12 June, 2009 6:11:06 PM IST #