Audi in ALMS quit threat

The new diesel-powered R10 T10 has a 100 per cent record in the three races it has competed in the series so far, and organisers have now given their chief rivals concessions for future races.

From next weekend's Road America round, the LM P1 Lolas entered by the Dyson team will race with 65 kilograms less than the R10. From the following race at Mosport, they will be allowed a five-litre larger fuel tank.

Audi admit that their future participation in the American Le Mans Series is under discussion as a result, claiming that organisers are attempting to stop the car's winning streak by making the competition even more new concessions.

When the R10 was introduced into the series, organisers reduced the flow rate of the diesel refuelling rig, to ensure the same level of 'energy' was put into the cars in the same period as the petrol cars.

"To us, the recent regulation changes made by IMSA appear to have been made are random and are unjustified," said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport.

"A year ago hardly anybody could believe that it would be possible to win a race with a diesel-powered sportscar. We demonstrated that it is feasible, and we produced the world's most state-of-the-art LM P1.

"We cannot accept that our life will now be made artificially difficult.

"Audi, the manufacturer, which has supported and promoted the ALMS for years and helped to make it what it is today, will only continue its American Le Mans Series programme if there are again stable and consistent rules, like at Le Mans, which also contribute towards justifying manufacturer's involvement and expenditure."