9 Oct -
A continuing development program has made
detailed improvements to the Audi RS 6 Competition throughout the
10-race season leaving drivers Randy Pobst and Michael Galati
quietly optimistic for the Georgia encounter.
Pobst lies second in the championships
standings with reigning Speed GT champion Galati ninth. Randy
has powered his 4.2-liter, bi-turbo Audi to six podium finishes with
Michael scoring five top-15 finishes in his similar machine.
Over the past three years, the Audi Sport
North America supported Champion team has chalked up seven top-eight
finishes around the undulating 12-turn, 2.54-mile Road Atlanta
course with the Audi S4 Competition.
The prestige German car manufacturer’s latest
all-wheel-drive racing sedan, the RS 6 achieved a third place
earlier in the season at RA.
Michael Galati:
“Champion Racing has made some real progress
with tire consistency and we’re hoping these improvements will
translate well for our second appearance at Road Atlanta this
season. The Atlanta track would appear to be well suited to
our Audis. I won and finished second at Atlanta in 2001 in the
S4 and had to drive that car here in June after damaging my RS 6 in
a testing accident. Randy showed that the RS 6 is well suited
to the circuit on that occasion and we’ve made a lot of progress
over the past three months so I’m very optimistic that I can record
a top result. I’m really looking forward to this race.”
Randy Pobst:
“I love the track, with its fast, sweeping,
hilly corners which can be more like flying than driving especially
through Turns 1 to 5. My favorite part is the bottom of the
Esses because the car generates lots of g-force swerving through
that corner and is very satisfying. Atlanta's red clay makes
it important to stay on the pavement and off-course excursions are
usually permanent - especially in the wet. I had pole in the
corresponding race last year, and led 15 of the 27-laps here at
Atlanta in June before finishing third. I believe this race
will represent our best shot for another win. The Audi RS6
Competition ran well here in June and I’m hoping for more of the
same.”
Louis Milone,
Champion Racing’s RS 6 Team Leader:
“It is personally my favorite track in North
America and currently most suits our RS6 - it’s our best chance for
our maiden RS 6 win and I’m very excited. Atlanta was the
venue in 2001 where we claimed the Manufacturers’ and Driver’s Speed
titles for Audi and Mike [Galati] with the S4 Competition.
Randy led the Atlanta race in June for quite some time and finished
a strong third. Since the Laguna race, we have continued to
refine the Ohlins shocks and center differential.”
Timetable
Tues 16 Oct:
Testing
Wed 15 Oct:
1015-1035 / 1600-1620 - Practice
Thurs 16 Oct:
1355-1415 - Qualifying
Fri 17 Oct:
1530-1620 - Race |
