Le Audi in prima fila nella gara inaugurale del ILMC
Le Audi R15 TDI dettano legge a Silverstone
Primo evento del nuovo Intercontinental Le Mans Cup con la nuova configurazione aerodinamica
Allan McNish prende la pole position con la R15 TDI
At the Le Mans 24 Hours Audi triumphed in June primarily due to the reliability and efficiency of the Audi R15 TDI. At the inaugural round of the new worldwide sports car racing series at Silverstone the innovative diesel race sports car from Ingolstadt has been setting the pace so far as well: after posting fastest times in two of the three free practice sessions Allan McNish and Timo Bernhard clinched the two top grid positions in qualifying on Saturday afternoon.
Audi last started from the top grid position in a sports car race more than two years ago. For the Audi R15 TDI which has already won three races this marked the first pole position in its seventh racing commitment, for Allan McNish the first since Sebring in 2008.
The Audi R15 TDI powered by a V10 TDI engine with VTG technology was optimized after the triumph at Le Mans for the upcoming ILMC races. At Silverstone, it is running for the first time with an aero package trimmed for more downforce that works equally well in rain, mixed weather conditions and on a dry track.
Starting the time chase right at the beginning of the 20-minute qualifying session proved to be the right decision. In the end, nobody managed to equal the times set by Allan McNish (1m 43.475s) and Timo Bernhard (1m 44.012s). The best Peugeot came short of claiming the pole position by more than one second.
Allan McNish and Timo Bernhard have been nominated as the starting drivers for the race (starting on Sunday at 11:55 a.m. local time) as well. McNish will share the cockpit of the car designated as number “7” with Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen, Timo Bernhard will take turns at the wheel of car number “8” with Dindo Capello.
