AUDI SHOWS OFF NEW R18 PROTOTYPE

Audi extends motorsport commitment

Audi aims to continue its string of victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours with a completely new LMP1 sports car development. Since its debut in 1999, the brand with the Four Rings has won the world's most important endurance race as many as nine times with the R8, R10 TDI and R15 TDI models. In doing so, Audi has equaled this feat in the race's roll of honor with Ferrari. With the new R18, which was presented at the Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt on the evening of Friday, December 10, 2010, Audi is aiming for its tenth Le Mans success in 2011.

For the first time since 1999, Audi will contest Le Mans with a closed coupe again. "In the future, aerodynamic efficiency will be even more important at Le Mans than it was in the past," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "A closed car has clear advantages in this respect. Our computer simulations have been confirmed in the wind tunnel and during initial track tests."

AUDI R18 WILL DEBUT AT SPA-FRANCOCHAMPS MAY 8, 2011

Significantly smaller engines than those used before will be prescribed at Le Mans in 2011 as the rule makers aim to achieve a substantial reduction of engine power. By opting for a 3.7-liter V6 TDI unit, Audi retains the diesel concept that saw its first victorious fielding in 2006. "From our point of view, the TDI continues to be the most efficient technology," says Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport. "There are good reasons why the share of TDI units among Audi's production models is as high as it is."

Through the innovative V6 TDI engine for the Le Mans 24 Hours, motorsport is yet again performing pioneering work for the production arm at Audi where there is a growing trend towards smaller, more economical but yet powerful engines.

Another new development is the six-speed transmission in the R18 which has been specifically modified for use with the smaller engine.

With regard to the chassis Audi Sport wants to live up to its promise, expressed in the brand's "Vorsprung durch Technik" tagline. Unlike those of the closed Le Mans prototypes, the carbon fiber monocoque of the R18 does not consist of two halves but features a single-component design. This saves weight and increases stiffness.

For the development of the closed R18, engineers at Audi Sport were able to draw on the experiences gained in 1999 with the R8C and in 2003 with the LMP1 of the corporate "sister brand" Bentley that was victorious at Le Mans. "Also the Audi A4 DTM, which for example, features a heated windshield, allowed us to shorten the development cycle with respect to the ventilation of the cockpit, the doors and the heating of the windshield," explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Engineering at Audi Sport.

The chassis and aerodynamics package contains a lot of know-how from the R8, the R10 TDI and the R15 TDI whereas the fitting of identically sized front and rear wheels is new to an Audi Le Mans sports car. This configuration allows a more balanced weight distribution.

The R18's headlights, which are the first to completely consist of LEDs with optimized amount of light, are a technical highlight. The new generation of headlights was developed in close cooperation between Audi Sport and the Technical Development (TE) division of AUDI AG and by using at Le Mans, will be prepared for future use in production vehicles. Audi's light designers had the chance to make their mark on the development as well: The LEDs of the daytime light form the shape of a "1" which is intended to inspire associations with Audi's historic brand logo.

The Audi R18 has been designed for progressive electrification, which Audi Sport is planning to drive forward step by step. "But efficiency is always the crucial factor for us," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "No matter which form of energy recovery we may choose the key aspect for Audi - in motorsport as well as on the production side of the house - is that it provides a true advantage."

The development of the new Audi R18 started in mid 2009. The V6 TDI engine has been running on the dynamometers since the summer of 2010. The R18, with Allan McNish at the wheel, completed its first test on a racetrack at the end of November.

The racing debut of the Audi R18 is planned for the Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 6 Hours on May 8. Prior to the event, the new prototype will be able to do its first laps on the race track at Le Mans during the official test day on April 24 and gather important data for the race on June 11 and 12.

Audi is planning to field three Audi R18 cars at Le Mans, which will be entered by Audi Sport Team Joest, the most successful Le Mans team of all time. In addition, Audi Sport Team Joest will contest the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), consisting of a total of seven endurance races on three continents (including the Le Mans 24 Hours) with two cars. At the opening race at Sebring on March 19, the team will use two "R15 plus plus" cars. "Sending the R18 into a race at such an early point in time would be difficult in terms of logistics and interfere with our development program," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

CANADIANS SET FOR AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES SEASON FINALE AT PETIT LE MANS

Tony Burgess And Kyle Marcelli To Represent Canada At Prestigious Event

Two Canadians will join one of the largest fields in the 11 year history of the American Le Mans Series as they take to the 4.1 km (2.54 mile), 12 turn Road Atlanta circuit for the 13th Annual Petit Le Mans this Saturday (October 2).

Not only will the 1609 km (1000 mile)/10 hour race mark the season finale for the American Le Mans Series, but it will also be the second round and first in North America, for the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, a four race championship put on by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), sanctioning body for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The championships in all four classes will be up for grabs when the green flag drops at 11:15 am ET. Current LMP class leader, the Patron Highcroft trio of David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti can clinch back to back titles. Mosport GT class winners Patrick Long and Joerg Bergmeister in their Flying Lizards Motorsports Porsche head into Saturday's race with a sizeable lead, while Green Earth Team Gunnar drivers Gunnar Jeanette and Scott Tucker own a slim six point advantage in the LMPC class. Tim Pappas and Joern Bleekemolen are on top in the GTC category.

Joining the 2010 American Le Mans Series regulars for the classic endurance race will be the diesel powerhouse factory prototype teams of Audi and Peugeot as they look to renew their rivalry on North American soil. Both manufacturers have entered two cars teams. Petit Le Mans will also see several new GT cars enter the mix. The innovative Porsche GT3R Hybrid will make its North American debut and will be driven by overall winner at Mosport, Romain Dumas. The anticipated Panoz Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" will be also see its first competition this weekend as it makes its inaugural run.

Representing Canada in the international field is Toronto's Tony Burgess, veteran of 10 Petit events and series rookie Kyle Marcelli of Barrie.

Burgess is coming off his best series finish to date, placing third overall and in class at his home track of Mosport International Raceway on August 29. For Petit Le Mans, the Autocon Motorsports Lola will revert back to its standard lineup of drivers which include Americans Bryan Willman and Chris McMurray. Burgess's codriver at Mosport, Johnny Mowlem will be setting the car up this week for the race.

"We are confident that when we arrive for practice this Wednesday, we will be very much ahead of the game and have a well sorted out car," the 55 year old explained. "We should be able to get down to business right away."

The road racing veteran's best finish at Petit Le Mans was 4th in class. He and his team will be looking to use the momentum from Mosport in the season finale.

"I certainly hope that we can build off our success at Mosport but Petit is a very different race because the length of it and the large field of cars that it brings in," stated Burgess. "The race attracts the major factory entries of Audi and Peugeot. Right away you have four cars in our class that are virtually impossible to beat. The main goal will be to finish first among the privateers and to do that we have to beat Drayson and Intersport; they are our real competition."

Burgess will also look to compete in the remaining Intercontinental Le Mans Cup races and is hoping to earn an automatic entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans by finishing first in the LMP1 category.

"Even though in North America, the LMP classes have been lumped into one, the ACO still keeps track of both LMP1 and LMP2," stated the Toronto native. "On that basis, Autocon is leading the LMP1 points race because we have done better than Intersport and Drayson in terms of overall reliability. I believe we only have to finish Petit (70 per cent of race distance) and we win that class even if Drayson finished first overall. That should get us an automatic entry to Le Mans next year."

Kyle Marcelli is new to the American Le Mans Series this year, but is no stranger to sports car racing. He made the successful jump from the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites program and hasn't looked back.

"This season has been a learning experience for sure," the 20 year-old said. "It hasn't been as easy as I anticipated, but so far it has been a dream come true."

The prototype pilot will be making his first appearance at Petit Le Mans and has high hopes for the race.

"I expect to do fairly well," he continued. "In the last few events we've been competitive and right there as far as quick lap times and qualifying."

Marcelli will once again be teaming up with brothers David and Chapman Ducote in the Intersport Racing Oreca FLM09. Coming off the 2 hour 45 minute sprint at Mosport, the second youngest racer in the series knows that he must stay focused.

"You prepare differently for the 10 hour race both mentally and physically," he explained. "Obviously from a physical standpoint you do a lot more cardio and endurance training. Being mentally prepared is the key component because you are in the car for two hours at a time and to stay focused for that long is difficult and one mistake could cost you. I have been working on focus and reaction time and I feel ready to go."

Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA 2 at Road Atlanta is set for 11:15 am ET on Saturday, October 2. SPEED will air the race starting at 11 a.m., with live radio coverage available on American Le Mans Radio as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 242.
Ryan Chalmers, Mosport Media

DTM SETS THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE

During the annual season highlight of the DTM at the Norisring in Nuremberg, the focus is not only on the current racing action at the track. At the same time, all parties involved are also working hard on the future of the most popular international touring car series. Behind the scenes, those who are responsible are actively setting the course for the future of the DTM.

BMW INTENSIFIES CONTACT WITH THE DTM
At the Norisring, BMW motorsport director Dr. Mario Theissen took part in a meeting of the board of directors and the advisory board of the DTM’s rights holder and marketing organisation ITR e.V. for the first time. At the end of April, BMW had already officially announced its interest in entering the DTM from 2012. This was met with a very positive echo by motorsport fans and media alike.

CO OPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND SERIES
In order to further strengthen the position of the DTM in the international motor racing scene, the ITR e.V., the manufacturers represented in the DTM and the German motorsport federation (DMSB), together with BMW, are working on the international distribution of the planned new technical regulations for the DTM from 2012. Thus, a delegation of the Japanese motorsport federation JAF and representatives from manufacturers is present at the Norisring to intensify talks about a possible adoption of the new DTM regulations for the Japanese GT championship. At an earlier stage, the organisers of the American GrandAm sports car series also had expressed their interest in a co-operation. This would mean an additional international opportunity for running race cars to DTM regulations.

"Currently, a lot of things are going on into a direction that seems to be very positive for the future of the DTM", says Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of the board of the ITR e.V. "Co operation with Audi and Mercedes Benz, the DMSB and BMW, but also the talks with our international colleagues are very constructive and for us at the ITR, they are a great motivation to keep doing our very best for the future of this great series. We are convinced that our joint efforts are contributing to the ongoing success of the series."

RANGER AND FITZPATRICK RENEW RIVALRY NASCAR CANADA STYLE

Vortex Brake Pads 200 This Weekend At Mosport

Next on Mosport's 50th anniversary season schedule is the Vortex Brake Pads 200 this weekend. Headlining the three-day weekend is Canada's top stock car

ANDREW RANGER

championship, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. These machines will take to Mosport's road course for their second race of the season on Sunday June 13.

Defending Series champion Andrew Ranger, who will run a limited Canadian schedule this season while chasing the US-based NASCAR K & N title, makes his first start at Mosport. Another young Series star, JR Fitzpatrick, is also spending most of his season stateside, but will run a handful of Canadian Tire Series events including Mosport. The sparks may fly as Ranger and Fitzpatrick renew their heated Mosport rivalry of two years ago.

Both can expect stiff competiton from Series veterans such as 2008 champion Scott Steckly, DJ Kennington, Don Thompson Jr., Ron Beauchamp and Kerry Micks, along with a pack of hard-charging, rising stars like Jason Hathoway, Anthony Simone and Joey Hanssen.

BMW TO RE-ENTER DTM IN 2012

Motorsport will continue to play a leading role at BMW, with plans now being implemented for an extensive programme. BMW will significantly expand its activities in the field of production car racing over the coming years: last week the executive board of BMW AG came to a positive policy decision regarding the company's involvement in the restructured German Touring Car Masters (DTM) from 2012. For this to happen, certain basic requirements must be met. The governing body, the ITR, is currently working on these prerequisites. In anticipation of a positive outcome, BMW Motorsport is making appropriate preparations on the technical side. The final decision is expected during the year.

Dr. Klaus Draeger, the BMW AG board member responsible for development, says: "Following the withdrawal from Formula One, the realignment of our motorsport programme is raising our presence in production car racing to a whole new level. BMW sports and touring cars have achieved success right around the world, and have significantly influenced the brand's sporting profile right from the word go. For that reason, we see it as a consistent step to return to our roots after bidding farewell to Formula One, and to expand our commitment to this discipline."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen adds: "The newly aligned programme offers us many important stages, on which to demonstrate the sporting gene present in BMW vehicles. The planned return to the DTM is an exciting challenge for our team. Over the coming months we will be making all the necessary technical preparations that should allow us to be competitive right from the start should we join the series in 2012. Thanks to its great tradition in production car racing, the BMW M3 is predestined to be used as the basic car."

BMW enjoys a long history of success in international touring car racing. As early as the 1960s the brand backed up its new position as a premium manufacturer of sporty cars with a succession of championship titles. BMW drivers celebrated a total of twelve European Championship titles with the BMW 2002, BMW 3.0 CSL, and the BMW 635 CSi Coupé. On top of this, Volker Strycek (DE) guided his BMW 635 CSi to victory in the debut season of the DTM in 1984. The BMW M3 lined up for the first time in 1987 - and immediately proved to be a superlative racing car. Roberto Ravaglia (IT) claimed the World Championship title, Winni Vogt (DE) was crowned European Champion, and Eric van de Poele (BE) won the DTM.

After a second European Championship triumph in 1988, Ravaglia gave the brand its third and most recent DTM title to date in the BMW M3 in 1989. BMW has 49 race wins, 30 pole positions and 64 fastest laps to its name in this series. Up to and including 1992, BMW M3 drivers around the world had notched up over 1,500 individual wins and more than 50 international titles.

CANADA WELL REPRESENTED AT SEBRING OPENING

Five Canadians set to race at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Kicking off the American Le Mans Series season, the 58th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida takes the green flag at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. North America's most demanding endurance race will see 36 of the world's most talented and skilled drivers, including Canada's own Tony Burgess, Kyle Marcelli, and Mark Wilkins.

TONY BURGESS

In the P1 class, Burgess, of Toronto, will drive with the Autocon Motorsports Team. This veteran racer, who has sixteen 24 hour sports car races under his belt, first participated in an ALMS event in 2000. His move up to the P1 class took place in 2007 and a podium finish at Mosport, his home track. Burgess plans to compete in at least seven series events this season, including Mosport, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in mid June.

With a career goal to be the youngest ALMS class champion, the 20 year old Kyle Marcelli will make his debut in the Series at Sebring's opener. The Barrie native, who placed 5th in 2009's IMSA Lites Championship, will be driving for Primetime Braille Battery Race Group in the new LMPC division. Marcelli will co-drive with team owner Joel Feinberg.

Recently announced, Mark Wilkins will also make an appearance at the Sebring kick off. Wilkins, a top competitor in the Grand Am Rolex Series, will be driving for Level 5 Motorsports in the No. 55 FLM09 in the LMPC class. He is looking forward to the opportunity, a first for him in the ALMS series. He is joining drivers Christophe Bouchut and Scott Tucker.

Canadians will have a chance to see all the ALMS action live when it makes it's only north of the border stop at the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport from August 26-29.

Canada's colours will also be carried in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear by David Ostella and Mikael Grenier. The series, now in its 20th year, is known for the high profile career jumpstarts it offers young drivers. Ostella, 18, of Maple, Ontario, is returning for a second season with AIM Autosport in the championship. Last year he finished the series 13th overall, with seven top tens.

Also contending for the 2010 Star Mazda Championship title, is up and coming Canadian driver Mikael Grenier of Stoneham, Quebec. Grenier, 17, began racing when he was merely five. He will drive a full season, 11 race program for Andersen Racing this year, who were impressed with his performance through six races in 2009.

Both drivers will be at Mosport as part of Mobil 1 Presents the GP of Mosport weekend.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron will be covered live on SPEED starting at 10 a.m. ET on March 20. Live coverage also will be available on American Le Mans Radio, as well as Sirius Channel 127 and XM Channel 245. Visit the Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live timing and scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at www.americanlemans.com.

FORMULA 1 ADOPTS NEW POINTS SYSTEM

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship

POINTS SYSTEM

In order to further encourage the 'race to win', an adjustment to the points system was agreed. Points for both titles will be awarded at each event according to the following scale:

	 
          1st : 25 points
          2nd : 18 points
          3rd : 15 points
          4th : 12 points
          5th : 10 points
          6th :  8 points
          7th :  6 points
          8th :  4 points
          9th :  2 points
         10th :  1 point
  

The number of dry weather tires sets allocated per driver has been reduced from 14 to 11.

In addition, to encourage teams to run during the Friday practice sessions, one set has to be returned before the start of the second practice session, and two sets before the start of the third practice session.

IMPROVING THE SHOW

In order to introduce a further element of strategy, cars having participated in Qualifying 3 (Q3) must start the race on the same set of tires with which their grid time was set.

ANDREW RANGER HEADS TO TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN

Andrew Ranger, the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion, will utilize his secured starting position - earned as a NASCAR Developmental Series champion - in the NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown on Jan. 29-30 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).

Andrew Ranger

The annual all star event attracts the top drivers from across North America to what has become the pinnacle of short track racing in the U.S. and is often referred to as the 'Daytona 500 of short-track racing.'

The 23 year-old Ranger, out of Roxton Pond, Que., will pilot a car out of the Steve McGowen stable. McGowen fields the Chevrolet driven by David Mayhew, who won a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events in 2009. Mayhew, too, has a secure spot in the starting lineup as a NASCAR K&N Pro Series race winner.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity to race against all these talented drivers," said Ranger.

In 2009, Ranger won his second Canadian Tire Series championship in three years on the power of a single season series record six wins and outdistanced frequent NASCAR Nationwide Series competitor DJ Kennington by 167 points for the crown. Among those six victories, three came on oval tracks while the others were a result of his tremendous prowess on road courses.

It was through his road course ability that he caught the attention of the U.S. stock car media last August in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event in Montreal. Ranger staged a race long battle with Carl Edwards and Marcos Ambrose before settling for a third place finish in the race.

His first stock-car victory on an oval track came last July 18 at SunValley Speedway in Vernon, B.C., where he dominated on the half mile trioval by lapping every car in the field but one. This win validated his skills behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car after making the switch from open wheel racing where he was a top-10 performer in the Champ Car World Series, which since has reunified with the Indy Car.

"That victory was huge for me," said Ranger. "If I was going to be racing in NASCAR, then I had to be able to win on ovals. Everything clicked that night. All of the things that Dave Jacombs (car owner) and Billy Burns (crew chief) had taught me fell into place."

This will be Ranger's second appearance in the NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown having competed in the event following his first Canadian Tire Series championship in 2007. That outing lasted just 31 laps, leaving him with a 39th place finish.

However, this time around, a much more confident and experienced Ranger will be on display. At the time of his first NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown outing, he had a grand total of 13 stock-car races under his belt with just a single victory - on a road course. Now, he has three full Canadian Tire Series seasons with two titles and nine wins, six NASCAR Nationwide starts and a handful of other stock-car events to his credit.

"I think this time I will be a lot more comfortable with everything," he said. "Last time, I had never seen the track before and the car was totally new to me. It's still not going to be easy, but it all won't be so new."

Virtually all of the drivers in the race will have the home field advantage on Ranger as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 competes in different equipment than the NASCAR K&N Pro Series cars used in the NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown.

"Most of the other drivers are more familiar with the cars, but I've had a few starts in the (NASCAR Nationwide Series) cars which are pretty close. So, we'll see what happens. I'm definitely looking forward to it."

In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for NASCAR K&N Pro Series regulars, and the last chance "Open" race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid.

The 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown schedule also includes 100 lap Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model and 75 lap Late Model races. Both nights of racing will be televised live on SPEED and also will be broadcast live on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio. Advance sale tickets are available at www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com.