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Audi Diesel Power to the fore in LM P1 once more - Sunday, May 20, 2007
at 14:37
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Ingolstadt, 20 May 2007
McNish & Capello go back to front to extend series lead
Pirro & Werner complete fifth R10 TDI 1-2 for Audi in ‘07
Both Audi sports-prototypes lead race outright in Utah
Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) recorded their fourth LM P1 win of the season when the defending champions came from the back of the grid this evening to finish second overall with the "sister” Audi R10 TDI of Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany) completing a Diesel Power class 1-2 for Audi in the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series in Salt Lake City (US State of Utah). Having qualified eighth fastest, the top-seven places taken by LM P2 cars, Capello started the 165-minute race from the back of the 26-car grid after opting to change tyres following a spin in qualifying with Pirro now eighth.
A phenomenal start by Pirro saw the Italian incredibly snatch the lead entering the first corner with Capello moving up to second on 22mins after a full course yellow. Leader Pirro pitted for a full service after 58mins, Werner resuming in seventh while new leader Capello handed to McNish 10mins later, rejoining in fifth ahead of Werner. McNish and Werner moved up to first and third on 93mins, both Audis requiring one more stop, the second-placed LM P2 #6 Porsche having made its final pit-stop on the 4.5-mile Miller Motorsports Park track – the longest on the ALMS calendar.
Werner and McNish pitted with 51mins and 35mins to run respectively, both taking on fuel and tyres, Marco and Allan resuming in eighth and second respectively and taking the chequered flag in second and sixth places overall – McNish just 9.932-secs behind the winning #6 (Briscoe/Maassen).
Note to the editors: A complete Salt Lake City race report with quotes of all Audi drivers will follow.
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