13 July 2001

Champion Racing today announced that Britain's Johnny Herbert will drive the team's Audi R8 at Sears Point. Monaco-based Herbert will co-drive with fellow former Le Mans 24 Hour race winner Andy Wallace in the 165-minute event, the third round of the American Le Mans Series next weekend.


"I want to contest the remainder of the series with the Champion Audi team," said Herbert (quotes courtesy Autosport). "At the moment I'm confirmed for the Sears race and at Atlanta in October. I've only ever raced at Phoenix and Indianapolis in the States so all of the circuits will be new to me. "I don't foresee that as a problem - I'm a quick learner and Audi knows all of the tracks from last year and they have a proven track record having won both the ALMS Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles last season with the R8.

"I've never driven with Andy but his credentials in sportscar racing are exemplary. I'm certain we'll get on well together and should form a formidable partnership." Herbert's performance in Champion's Audi R8 at Le Mans was simply stunning, as he routinely lapped faster than the leaders during a nighttime triple stint in heavy rain, bringing the Champion R8 up to third place overall before the car's clutch failed not long after Herbert's final stint ended, putting Champion out of the race. Wallace finished a fine third at Le Mans in the Bentley.

"It will be difficult for Andy and I to beat the very latest Joest run Audis," added Johnny. "But we'll be looking for podiums and pushing hard for wins make no mistake." Wallace lies fifth in Drivers' points standings behind the "factory" Audi drivers Rinaldo Capello (It), Tom Kristensen (Den), Emanuele Pirro (I) and Frank Biela (D) having placed fourth (Texas) and third (Sebring) in the two previous ALMS races.