An idea goes globalIntercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011

Audi R18 TDI in worldwide hunt for titles

A global series for sport prototypes – the fans waited long and patiently for this. Audi now continues a first class tradition with the R18 TDITDISynonymous with muscular torque delivery and outstanding efficiency: TDI. Today, TDI engines are sporty, smooth and economical.TDI in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC): the four rings were repeatedly involved in motorsport worldwide for more than 30 years.

With the greatest success: four titles in the Rally World Championship during the 1980s and victory in the Touring Car World Cup in the 1990s demonstrated “Vorsprung durch Technik” worldwide.

Audi now aims to continue this streak with the sport prototype. Last year the Le Mans organizer ACO established a high-caliber international cup with the ILMC. A complete season comprising of seven races grows this year from the previous three races on three continents. The series gains its unique value through the quality of the races: the 24 Hours of Le Mans (F), 12 hours of Sebring (USA) and the “Petit Le Mans” race at Road Atlanta (USA) are three real gems on the calendar.

On top of this come the classics at Silverstone (GB), Spa-Francorchamps (B) and the finale at Zhuhai (CN). A traditional race in Italian also enjoys a renaissance: for the first time since 1984 Imola (I) will be the venue of an international sports car race. As a result the rising series is present in America, Europe and Asia.

“We enter a new technological period in motorsport with the Audi R18 TDI,” says Head of Audi Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Efficiency, energy regeneration, electrification of the drivetrain and many other pioneering concepts conquer motorsport. It goes with saying that we want to demonstrate ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ once again in motorsport. For this purpose we need a worldwide platform. The ACO has created this in 2010. This is an ideal approach.”

The legendary Manufacturers’ World Championship from the 1970s enjoys a revival in the form of the new series. There is no drivers’ classification in the ILMC. Points are awarded to manufacturers and teams – and in every class: the Audi R18 TDI competes in the LMP1 category. The LMP2, LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am classes also exist. Points for the first twelve finishing positions are awarded as follows: 15-13-11-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

An extra point is given for pole position. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is specially weighted. The best twelve teams are awarded points as follows: 30-26-22-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2 as well as an additional point for the fastest practice lap.

In the manufacturers’ classification the results of a brand’s two best placed cars count. After finishing second last year Audi aims to win the title this year.

Schedule 2011