McNish in Le Mans return
1998 Le Mans winner Allan McNish will return for another crack at the 24-hour endurance classic with Champion Racing, it was announced on Monday. Audi's British and North American importers will join forces to create a six-driver, two-car assault on a race it has won four times in the past
McNish, whose main focus this year is a works Audi drive in the DTM, will take part in the Sebring 12 Hours in March - an event he won in 2004 - as a tune-up for Le Mans.
The Scot said: "I'm eagerly looking forward to my first DTM season, which begins in April - but the challenge of Le Mans is unique and I desperately wanted to return, especially after what happened last year.
"I crashed off on oil after just two hours and ended up in hospital, which proves that even if you have the right car and team, you still have to beat Le Mans before beating anyone else. It always teaches you a lesson and does not respect predictions or form.
"I have seen Champion Racing develop as a team since I first drove for them in the 1999 American Le Mans Series. They have become a very strong force. I am looking forward to hopefully earning Champion their first Sebring and Le Mans race wins."
Audi UK motorsport manager David Ingram added: "Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx won the inaugural Le Mans Endurance Series title but we [Audi UK] have unfinished business at Le Mans. Our cars started from the front row last year, led the race for the opening 15 hours only to ultimately finish second."
Frank Biela, Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen, Marco Werner and ex-F1 drivers JJ Lehto and Emanuele Pirro (boasting a combined total of 14 wins at La Sarthe) will complete Audi's star-studded driver line-up.
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