Audi's R15 TDI Decimates The Field In Shakedown Laps At Sebring

The No.2 R15 of Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello lapped in 1m43.596s, half a second quicker than team-mates Marco Werner, Lucas Luhr and Mike Rockenfeller, and 1.406s clear of Sebastien Bourdais and Stephane Sarrazin in the best of the evenly-matched Peugeots.

While both Audi and Peugeot had already taken part in private tests at the track over the weekend, Acura did not start running until the official opening day yesterday. The De Ferran Motorsports car was fifth, within a tenth of a second of the two Peugoets, and 0.7s faster than the Highcroft Acura.

McNish said the new Audi already felt like a major step forward over its predecessor.

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chewy - 3/17/2009 2:11:35 PM

+2 Boost

It's definitely has the pace this year, should be the quickest car in the field.

Agent009 - 3/17/2009 2:25:31 PM

+4 Boost

They all finished the day with no failures, so your point is moot. Now race day may be another thing.

The LF-A is dead in the water, just Lexus hasn't admitted it yet. If it comes to market then it will be a miracle. However on the flip side Lexus Rolex series cars are quite formidable.

ThierryHenry14 - 3/17/2009 5:38:34 PM

+3 Boost

The last race i remember the LF-A was in was..........

24hr nurburgring and it finished..........

I dont know, but certainly no first, second, third... tenth... twentieth...........

VISO - 3/17/2009 2:23:58 PM

+1 Boost

David that was the most idiotic comment yet by you on Autospies. Are you serious? Why would Peugeot and Acura be unreliable and what does that have to with posting times? Do you really know anything about racing or are you just some fanboy in drag? Get serioius!

Congrats Audi! Keep the racing dynasty alive.

david999 - 3/17/2009 3:37:21 PM

+1 Boost

Why are you getting sucked-in by 969?

DocMarten - 3/17/2009 2:52:23 PM

-1 Boost

Yes, great job Audi. BMW has no chance of competing at all. Audi and Porsche rule! BMW might go bankrupt, so this is a great opportunity for Audi to keep setting the pace.

1evlaudi - 3/17/2009 10:05:08 PM

+1 Boost

Risingsun, before engaging your mouth make sure your brain is in gear. The Audi, Peugeot and Acura are competing in the AMLS (that's American Le Mans series for you ignorant). This has nothing to do with the Rolex series. The ALMS is based on the most prestigious endurance race, the 24 hours of Le Mans. I suggest you watch "truthin24" on ESPN this Friday at 8pm. maybe you'll learn something.

chewy - 3/19/2009 12:05:36 AM

0 Boost

Will definitely be watching Truth in 24.

bentdeez - 3/18/2009 5:06:14 AM

+1 Boost

Dang, the readership of these forums is brutal! Anyway, I've been getting my fix here with the spies for quite a while now but for some reason seeing the early test results of the new R15 made me finally throw in my $.02
I've been an audi fan for years, both of their production and race cars. It's just really cool to see an awesome brand get things right so consistently on both fronts.

AlexTx - 3/18/2009 4:41:59 PM

+2 Boost

Idiot...

AlexTx - 3/18/2009 4:44:10 PM

+2 Boost

I completely lost interest in F1 as there is way too much drama and it's all about politics and money.
ALMS or the 24 hours of Le mans still bring excitement and is what F1 used to be.
This year's 24 hours of LeMans will be very, very good...

chewy - 3/19/2009 12:13:15 AM

+1 Boost

Audi has won the overall manufacturer championship in Speed GT in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champion_Racing#World_Challenge_GT_with_Audi

Audi beat Acura in 2001. I know that lately Acura has been racing in the slower Speed Touring with the TSX.

chewy - 3/19/2009 12:35:41 AM

+1 Boost

As for the Stasis Audi team, they are not an official team like Champion that won with the S4/RS6. And why compare Speed Touring and ALMS, ALMS is by far the more prestigious event. Audi and Acura are competing @ Sebring in the same class. So far the Audi has been a lot quicker than the Acura.

chewy - 3/19/2009 12:02:59 AM

+1 Boost

Audi posted a time of 1:43.6 on Monday. Peugeot has "led" practice on Tuesday and today, but has yet to post a time below one minute and 44 seconds. But it's testing so it's hard to know who is doing what. Thursday qualifying will show which car is the quickest, and so far Audi appears possible of putting down a time about a second quicker than the Peugeots.

chewy - 3/19/2009 4:02:33 PM

-1 Boost

The Stasis team isn't even racing in Speed Touring anymore. Anyways why compare a race series that uses reward weight system and has cars with under 300 horsepower. It's a fun series to watch, but it's far from the top of the racing food chain.

IhavearedS2000 - 3/20/2009 7:56:25 AM

+1 Boost

Just an update...for all of you Acura naysayers - Acura takes pole position!