TEAM ADT CHAMPION RACING AT LAGUNA SECA
POMPANO BEACH, FL. (October 12, 2005) - Although Team ADT Champion Racing drivers Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro wrapped up the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Drivers' Championship with a race to spare after winning at Petit Le Mans, and only a small miracle can prevent Audi from winning its sixth consecutive Manufacturers' Championship, the season finale at Laguna Seca promises to be a real thriller. For the first time ever the Audi R8, the most successful Le Mans Prototype ever, comes face to face with the new Porsche RS Spyder. The factory Porsche is the first car to be purpose built and developed by an automobile manufacturer to suit the new Sports Prototype regulations. Because it competes in the LMP2 class it is allowed to weigh 150 kilograms less than the multiple winning Audi R8 (class LMP1), which has won 61 of its 74 races to date. In return, the Turbo FSI engine propelling the R8 has approximately 70 hp more power - and is still the only racing engine with direct fuel injection. The two Team ADT Champion Racing Audi R8 prototypes must not only overcome the very real threat from the new Porsche, but the Dyson team's two Lolas and the British Zytek prototype are regarded as possible winners at the demanding circuit close to Monterey. The Audi R8 remains unbeaten at Laguna Seca since its first race there in the 2000 season. In spite of the strong competition Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8 No. 2) and JJ Lehto/Marco Werner (Audi R8 No. 1) will do everything in their powers to ensure that it remains just so. Lehto/Werner are three points behind Lola driver Chris Dyson going into the finale and have a great chance of taking the runner-up spot in the championship. Audi only needs a single point to take the Manufacturers' crown. The final round of the 2005 American Le Mans Series is the Monterey Sports Car Championships on October 15 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The race is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. PDT October 15, with SPEED TV broadcasting the race from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT October 16. Qualifying scheduled for 2:10 p.m. PDT October 14. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA Live Timing and Scoring will be available at www.americanlemans.com. DRIVER QUOTES: TEAM ADT CHAMPION RACING AUDI R8 #1 JJ Lehto (Fin). Age: 39. Born: Espoo, Finland. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: "Last year we lost a near certain victory at Laguna Seca when there was some confusion in the closing stages because of a full course yellow. As we've had such a long run of bad luck this year, it would be fantastic to finish the season with a win. I love this circuit and look forward to four exciting hours." Marco Werner (D). Age: 38. Born: Dortmund, Germany. Lives: Ermatingen, Switzerland: "The new Porsche is a complete unknown. There were a few lap times on the grape vine after it broke cover at Road Atlanta, but nobody really knows just where it will end up. It'll be really interesting to see just how fast a well prepared LM P2 car is and whether it can be a danger to us. However, I assume that our trusty old Audi R8 will at least have an advantage over the four hour distance. JJ and I will definitely be gunning for victory. It's about time that our run of bad luck finally came to an end." TEAM ADT CHAMPION RACING AUDI R8 #2 Frank Biela (D). Age: 40. Born: Neuss, Germany. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: "It will be a great race for Emanuele and I, as we already have the championship in the bank. That means the pressure is off and we can race with no holds barred. It should be big fun, especially since Laguna Seca is such a fantastic circuit on which I've always loved to drive. Just how strong the new Porsche is will be revealed. It is definitely a big plus for the American Le Mans Series and the whole sportscar scene." Emanuele Pirro (It). Age: 43. Born: Rome, Italy. Lives: Monte Carlo, Monaco: "I'm absolutely delighted that we were able to secure the ALMS title at the penultimate round of the season. In 2000, I won the Audi R8 prototype's very first race together with Frank (Biela) and Tom (Kristensen) at Sebring - and now, quite probably, the R8 prototype's last championship title. It would be fantastic if we could crown our championship victory with another race win at the finale." For more information on Audi motorsports visit www.audiusa.com. For more information on Champion Racing, visit www.championracing.net.