altodx

15 apr 2007
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On the street circuit, Dindo Capello/Allan McNish recorded seventh place overall while their team-mates Emanuele Pirro/Marco Werner achieved second in the LM P1 category and ninth overall. Finishing ahead of the two Audi R10 TDI sports-prototypes were the 150 kilograms lighter LM P2 cars. After 10 outright ALMS victories, the 650 hp Audi R10 TDI suffered its first overall defeat since making its debut 13 months ago.

Quotes after the race

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "After what we had learned in St. Petersburg, we knew before the race that on a street circuit with these regulations it would be difficult for us to fight against the lighter LM P2 cars. Additionally, the Acura/Honda and Porsche competitors in the American Le Mans Series are stronger this year than ever. In the LM P1 class, the R10 TDI in Long Beach was again unbeatable. That we collected the maximum points was very important for the championship.”

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1): "It was not an enjoyable race for me because after only a handful of laps, I had a brake problem – debris blocking a brake duct causing overheating. The race strategy of an early stop was correct, especially as it enabled our crew to clear the duct, but obviously we hoped for a second yellow to prevent a late splash and dash. But we lead the championship and can hopefully have a better race at Houston.”

The results in Long Beach

1 Bernhard/Dumas (Porsche) 74 laps
2 Maassen/Briscoe (Porsche) + 0,770s
3 Leitzinger/Wallace (Porsche) + 13,467s
4 Brabham/Johansson/Dayton (Acura/Honda) + 35,121s
5 Dyson/Smith (Porsche) + 48,391s
6 Herta/Franchitti (Acura/Honda) + 59,451s
7 Capello/McNish (Audi R10 TDI) + 1m 4,315s
8 Fernandez/Diaz (Acura/Honda) - 1 lap
9 Pirro/Werner (Audi R10 TDI) - 1 lap
10 Beretta/Gavin (Chevrolet) - 3 laps


After 45 minutes of the 1:40 hour city race – the shortest race in ALMS history – pole-setter Dario Franchitti (Honda/Acura) lost the lead to Emanuele Pirro. At mid-distance, Pirro’s R10 TDI was hit up the back by another car at the hairpin and was turned around. As a result, Pirro had to pit with a punctured rear tyre. Co-driver Marco Werner took over the Audi with a one lap deficit but ended the race in second position in the LM P1 category.


Dindo Capello in the Audi R10 TDI #1 pitted after 30 minutes because the brake cooling was blocked by a piece of debris. As there was only one yellow caution during the race, co-driver Allan McNish had to take diesel again before the end of the race. Nevertheless the Scotsman drove to victory in the LM P1 category.

The next race for the Audi R10 TDI is 21 April with the fourth race of the American Le Mans Series in Houston (US state of Texas).
sottomenu