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10.12.2002 |
The new ALMS (American Le Mans Series) Champion is Tom Kristensen. As it was already clear before the final round at Road Atlanta, that only Audi drivers could achieve this years’ title, the 35-year-old Dane together with partner Rinaldo Capello won the classic “Petit Le Mans” to clinch the title and follow in the wheeltracks of Allan McNish and Emanuele Pirro. The companion Infineon Audi R8 of Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro dropped back after a collision and the resulting lengthy repair stop but ultimately fought back to sixth position. |
 
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The race over 1000 miles in the US state of Georgia delivered all the ingredients of a real motorsport classic: Several safety-car-periods brought the 50 car field together again and again, the fight of the sport prototypes when lapping slower cars on the 2.540 mile long circuit added extra tension to the race. Rinaldo Capello and Tom Kristensen kept clear of every fight during the entire 9:27 race, chosing the right strategy with their pitstops to win by a 59.972s margin ahead of the 2001-spec Champion Audi R8. Frank Biela, who had slim title hopes before the final round, and Emanuele Pirro, had less luck at Road Atlanta. On lap 150 of the 394 lap race, the Italian couldn’t avoid a collision with another car after its engine blew and seized. In record time, the Team Audi Sport North America changed the front left suspension as well as the front splitter and sent the Infineon Audi R8 back on the track after 26 minutes. Although their championship was over, the German-Italian duo recovered well and finally finished sixth. |
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third place in the 2001 “Petit Le Mans“, the Champion team this year fought
for the victory until they crossed the finish line. Even during the last
hour of racing, the two leaders were seperated by only a few seconds. Only
after the final pitstops it was clear that Johnny Herbert and Stefan Johansson
had to be satisfied with second place. Herbert thus takes fifth position
in the Driver’s championship just behind the Audi works drivers Tom Kristensen,
Rinaldo Capello, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro.
With victory at Road Atlanta, one of the most successful years in Audi’s motorsport histoy comes to an end. For the third time in a row the Team Audi Sport North America has clinched the Driver’s, Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles in the American Le Mans Series. This season, Audi drivers have conquered pole position at every race and brought home eight victories in a total of ten races. Highlight of the year 2002 remains the triple victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race, which Audi won for the third consecutive time with the same driver pairing. Quotes after the race Rinaldo Capello: "I want to congratulate Tom and I’m happy for him winning the title. I think I did a very good race today: When I took over the car from Tom we were in fifth position but ultimately claimed the victory. For me this is a nice finish of another great season with Audi. I would like to dedicate this race to our team coordinator who retires after this race. This victory is for Jürgen Däwel.” Tom Kristensen: “I’m so happy about my title, but it belongs as much to Dindo as it belongs to me. Once again, he made our victory possible with his fantastic speed. I want to thank everybody at Audi and the team for giving me the chance to win the Le Mans 24 Hour race and the ALMS Championship in this tremendous car.” |
 
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