VAG Division – Volkswagen Group Car Club

• Martin Tomczyk travels to Nuremberg as the leader of the standings
• Last race of the Audi A4 DTM at “home event”
• Audi drivers look forward to city street circuit

Ingolstadt, June 24, 2011 – There is only one DTM race on the current calendar which Audi has never won in the most popular international touring car series since its comeback with a manufacturer’s commitment: the brand’s “home event” at the Nuremberg Norisring. Spurred on by its tenth triumph at Le Mans and three consecutive victories in the DTM (Zandvoort, Spielberg, Lausitzring) Audi aims to change this on the first weekend in July.
 
The goal which Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich has set for his squad is clear. After the spell was broken most recently at the Lausitzring – where Audi was victorious for the first time since 2005 – the long awaited and overdue triumph at the Norisring is to now be turned into reality as well.
 
Eight times in a row Mercedes-Benz won on the city street circuit that is only 2.3 kilometers long and located between the Dutzendteich lake and the Easycredit stadium. Laurent Aiello in the Abt-Audi TT-R claimed the last victory for Audi in 2002 when he outwitted Bernd Schneider, who had been leading the race up to that point, in the last corner. The legendary V8 quattro was another car with which Audi was successful in the early 1990s in the “old” DTM. Only the Audi A4 DTM is still lacking a Norisring triumph. It will have its last chance to clinch it on July 3 as in 2012 the car will be replaced by the new A5 DTM.
 
The “home victory” mission is by no means an unrealistic one. In 2009 Timo Scheider despite a bout with feverish flu was leading the race on 75 of the 80 laps before Jamie Green managed to push past him. And last year Mattias Ekström was just 0.591 seconds short of taking victory.
 
In view of the extremely competitive field in the 2011 DTM Saturday’s qualifying will already play a role of predetermining the race. “This time it’ll probably be about thousandths of a second,” suspects Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. In other words, only those who get everything perfectly right will have a chance of making it into the final qualifying segment on the city circuit and of clinching the pole position.
 
For the second time after 2007 Audi driver Martin Tomczyk is traveling to Nuremberg as the leader of the standings. The driver from Rosenheim, Bavaria, who lives in Switzerland, does not necessarily consider the Norisring his favorite track but has achieved good results there before. Last year he was the quickest Audi driver in qualifying. By taking two consecutive victories at the wheel of a year-old car Tomczyk has just written a small chapter of DTM history. And in view of the fact that both of the past two races at the Norisring were also won by year-old cars, Tomczyk can be expected to manage this feat in Nuremberg as well.
 
But the same applies to his brand colleagues too. Every single one of them is looking forward to the season’s highlight in Nuremberg. Whether or not Mike Rockenfeller will be able to compete after his severe accident at Le Mans, will only be decided shortly before the race.
 
1 000 Audi mechanics keep their fingers crossed
 
The expected turnout of 130,000 spectators at the Norisring will include 1 000 mechanics from the Audi partner companies in the Region South who will create an impressive sight wearing their red caps in the stone stands where a special area has been reserved for them. For the third time Audi is sponsoring the activity through which the brand wishes to thank the mechanics for their top day-to-day work in the garages of the dealerships and motivate them to continue their good work. That Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline at each of the first four DTM races of the 2011 season performed the quickest pit stop perfectly symbolizes “Audi Top Service” and sets an example for the mechanics.
 
Due to numerous other large-scale events on the first July weekend the fifth DTM race on Sunday, July 3, will start earlier than usual, at 1 p.m. ARD will begin to air live coverage on “Das Erste” at 12:45 (local time).
 

Other topics of the weekend
 
• Has Timo Scheider managed to permanently join the group of front runners?
• How will the weight advantage of the year-old cars pan out?
• How will the three DTM rookies be doing at the city street circuit in front of a large audience?
• Will Mattias Ekström be able to end his streak of misfortune?

Quotes by the officials
 
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport):“The Norisring has always been tough terrain for us in recent years. Although we often came close it never worked out completely. Maybe we’ll be able to use the many good results we’ve scored as tailwind to finally clinch victory at the Norisring – the large crowd of Audi people lining the circuit would certainly be pleased to see that. And we’ll give everything to make it happen.”
 
Hans-Jürgen Abt (Team Director Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline): “Motivation in the team is very high. Audi has shown that it is absolutely in contention for victory with both vehicle generations this season. We’ll try and deliver a top performance at the Norisring. We’re fully motivated and will give everything in front of our home audience. If we manage to take our performance from the Lausitzring to Nuremberg with us we’ll have a realistic chance of fighting for victory.”
 
Ernst Moser (Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix): “Obviously we want to again clinch a nice result at the Norisring now that we’ve got such a good flow. Nuremberg has seen a similar Mercedes dominance for years as Lausitz did until recently. Maybe now we’ll also be able to put a surprise on the track at the city race as we’ve got a weight advantage over the newer cars. We’ll do everything within our means to achieve another good result on the podium.”
 
Arno Zensen (Team Director Audi Sport Team Rosberg): “The Norisring is always a special venue. It’s the German Monaco. And I believe that with the stop-and-go rhythm on this track we’ve got pretty good chances with our cars as they weigh 25 kilograms less than the new vehicles. We’re traveling to Nuremberg with a lot of momentum and another point-finish in our pocket. We want to continue like that.”
 

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
 
Filipe Albuquerque (26/P), TV Movie Audi A4 DTM #18 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Shows consistent improvement and most recently scored his first point with an eighth-place finish
• Set the third-fastest race lap at Lausitz
“This will be a difficult task because I’ve never been to the Norisring before. It’s a city street circuit with very aggressive tarmac and many bumps. Good knowledge of the track is very important there. The circuit has only three turns and the time gaps are extremely small. But my weekends in the DTM are getting increasingly better and more thrilling.”
 
Mattias Ekström (32/S), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline)
• As the runner-up clinched his so far best Norisring result last year
• At Lausitz qualified for position three as the best Audi driver
“It’s always nice to go to the Norisring. It’s Audi’s home round. It would be great to drive another race there again that’s as good as last year’s was. Maybe it’ll even be a little bit better. In the team we’re giving everything for a good showing.”
 
Rahel Frey (25/CH), Glamour Audi A4 DTM #15 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• By finishing in 15th place at Lausitz equalized her so far best DTM performance
• Has seen the checkered flag at all DTM races
“I’ve never driven at the Norisring before. But I’m looking forward to this city street circuit with huge anticipation. I like street circuits. I know Pau and have always done well there. I’m really excited about this race. It’s time to set a highlight.”

Oliver Jarvis (27/GB), Audi Sport performance cars A4 DTM #5 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• In fourth place was the second-best Audi driver at the Norisring last year
• Has scored ten points in the current season
“At the Norisring I scored my best result of the season last year. It’s always great to compete there. The atmosphere is simply fantastic. My season is progressively improving. I want to clinch a good result there at all costs.”
 
Miguel Molina (22/E), Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #22 (Audi Sport Team Abt Junior)
• Was running in sixth place at Lausitz when he retired
• Contested the Nürburgring 24 Hours between Lausitz and the Norisring
“This is a nice circuit and it’s closely linked to the DTM legend. I want to give everything to be better there than I was last year when I had a weekend to forget. We should be able to easily do that. I’m already looking forward to the weekend.”

Edoardo Mortara (24/I/F), Playboy Audi A4 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Rosberg)
• Took the pole position last year in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the Norisring plus a victory
• With three points in the DTM standings remains the best rookie of the year
“Of course I know the Norisring well. I contested Formula 3 there for several years. I’ve won there before and was most of the time in the group of front runners. City circuits suit me well. And now we’ve got the advantage of our car weighing 25 kilos less than the new cars. Everyone says that that’s a big benefit. Hopefully that’s true. Nevertheless, you’ve got to give everything. As on any weekend I’ll deliver maximum performance.”
 
Timo Scheider (32/D), AUTO TEST Audi A4 DTM #4 (Audi Sport Team Abt)
• Most recently clinched his best result of the season as the runner-up at Lausitz
• Was on the podium at the Norisring three years ago and on pole two years ago
“We’ve got some unfinished business at the Norisring. Two years ago I was leading the race almost up to the end. I’ve got fond memories of our performances there. In 2009 we were already on pole but an Audi victory has been missing in our track record for a few years. We need and want to change this. I’m hoping that with the tailwind from Lausitz we’ll finally be able to win. It would be nice to be on the top of the podium at the season’s midpoint. After a difficult start into the season I’ve managed to join the group of front runners. I’m hoping for things to continue this way.”
 
Martin Tomczyk (29/D), Schaeffler Audi A4 DTM #14 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)
• After two consecutive victories will arrive at Nuremberg as the new leader of the standings
• Started from position four as the best Audi driver at the Norisring last year
“Many people are asking me whether we’ll be able to continue our form. That’s hard to say because the Norisring has been a tough track for us in the past nine years. Jamie (Green) has won there before in a year-old car. I’m hoping for us to be able to do that too. It wouldn’t be bad if a year-old Audi car won there for a change.”
 
The Audi drivers in the 2011 DTM
 
Filipe Albuquerque (P): * Jun 13, 1985 in Coimbra (P); residence: Coimbra (P) single; height: 1.74 m; weight: 64 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 8th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -
 
Mattias Ekström (S): * Jul 14, 1978 in Falun (S); residence: Salenstein (CH); single; height: 1.83 m; weight: 77 kg; Audi driver since 1999; DTM races: 108 pole positions: 16; victories: 14; fastest laps: 11; points: 491; DTM titles: 2 (2004, 2007); best result,DTM Norisring: 1
 
Rahel Frey (CH): * Feb 23, 1986 in Niederbipp (CH); residence: Aedermannsdorf (CH); single; height: 1.63 m; weight: 50 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races: 4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 15th place) fastest laps: 0; points: 0; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -
 
Oliver Jarvis (GB): * Jan 09, 1984 in Burwell (GB); residence: Ermatingen (CH); single; height: 1.80 m; weight: 70 kg; Audi driver since 2008; DTM races: 36; pole positions: 1; victories: 0 (best result: 2nd place); fastest laps: 0; points: 51; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 4
 
Miguel Molina (E): * Feb 17, 1989 in Girona (E); residence: Lloret de Mar (E); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 62 kg; Audi driver since 2010; DTM races: 15; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 4th place); fastest laps: 1; points: 15; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -
 
Edoardo Mortara (I/F): * Jan 12, 1987 in Geneva (CH); residence: Geneva (CH); single; height: 1.82 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; DTM races:4; pole positions: 0; victories: 0 (best result: 6th place); fastest laps: 0; points: 3; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: -
 
Mike Rockenfeller (D): * Oct 31, 1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single; height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; DTM races: 45; pole positions: 0; victories: 1 (best result: 1st place); fastest laps: 2; points: 57; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 4
 
Timo Scheider (D): * Nov 11, 1978 in Lahnstein (D); residence: Lochau (A); single, (partner Jessica), one son (Loris); height: 1.78 m; weight: 74 kg; Audi driver since 2006; DTM races: 113; pole positions: 9; victories: 6; fastest laps: 7; points: 338; DTM titles: 2 (2008, 2009); best result, DTM Norisring: 3
 
Martin Tomczyk (D): * Dec 07, 1981 in Rosenheim (D); residence: Aesch/Basel (CH); single (partner Christina); height: 1.88 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2001; DTM races: 107; pole positions: 8; victories: 6; fastest laps: 5; points: 279; DTM titles: 0; best result, DTM Norisring: 5

2011 DTM point standings
 
1 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) 30 points
2 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz) 29 points
3 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) 19 points
4 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) 14 points
5 Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz) 14 points
6 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz) 13 points
7 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) 10 points
8 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) 9 points
9 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz) 9 points
10 Edoardo Mortara (Audi A4 DTM) 3 points
11 Maro Engel (Mercedes-Benz) 3 points
12 Tom Kristensen (Audi A4 DTM) 2 points
13 Filipe Albuquerque (Audi A4 DTM) 1 point
 
2011 DTM season interim statistics
 
Victories: Mercedes-Benz 1; Audi 3
Pole positions: Mercedes-Benz 3; Audi 1
Fastest laps: Mercedes-Benz 2; Audi 2
Leading laps: Mercedes-Benz 77; Audi 92
 
Audi DTM statistics
 
Pole positions: 59
Victories: 57
Fastest laps: 49
Champion’s titles: 7 (1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)
 
All Norisring winners since 2000
 
2000 Joachim Winkelhock (Opel), Bernd Schneider (Mercedes-Benz)
2001 Uwe Alzen (Mercedes-Benz)
2002 Laurent Aiello (Abt-Audi)
2003 Christijan Albers (Mercedes-Benz)
2004 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2005 Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz)
2006 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2007 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz)
2008 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2009 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
2010 Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz)
 
Track info
 
Track length: 2.300 km
Race distance: 82 laps = 188.600 km
DTM qualifying record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), 47.785s = 173.276 km/h (June 28, 2008)
DTM race record on this track: Bruno Spengler (Mercedes-Benz), 48.446 s = 170.912 km/h (June 29, 2008)
Pole position 2010: Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz), 48.721 s = 169.947 km/h (July 03, 2010)
Fastest lap 2010: Ralf Schumacher (Mercedes-Benz), 48.616 s = 170.314 km/h (July 04, 2010)
Turnout 2010: 132,000
TV live rating 2010: 1.88 millionen/14.5 % market sharel (source: ARD)

Edoardo Mortara about the Norisring: “The atmosphere at this historic site is simply unique at a motorsport event like the DTM. Since the fans can also sit on the inside we are practically driving around them – that’s a very unusual but nice feeling. The tarmac is very special. Normal streets and parking areas make for big differences in grip and it’s pretty bumpy. For overtaking it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar. Out of the slipstream it’s possible to attack in front of turn 1 – and then again in front of the last turn. I’ve got very fond memories of the track. In 2007, my Formula 3 debut year, I was on position three and last year I won the race on Saturday.”

2010 flashback

Audi showed a strong performance at its “home race.” In front of 132,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) Mattias Ekström pushed forward from position five on the grid to second place and in the end missed victory by just 0.591 seconds. With five Audi A4 DTM cars in the points Audi achieved its best Norisring showing since 2005. By finishing as the runner-up Mattias Ekström made up two points to the leader of the standings, Bruno Spengler.
 
2010 results
1 Jamie Green (Mercedes) 82 laps in 1h 08m 05,282s
2 Mattias Ekström (Audi A4 DTM) + 0,591s
3 Bruno Spengler (Mercedes) + 1.910 s
4 Oliver Jarvis (Audi A4 DTM) + 9.946s
5 Timo Scheider (Audi A4 DTM) + 12.315s
…
7 Alexandre Prémat (Audi A4 DTM) + 15.834s
8 Martin Tomczyk (Audi A4 DTM) + 16.100s
12 Mike Rockenfeller (Audi A4 DTM) + 34.790s
16 Katherine Legge (Audi A4 DTM) – 1 lap
 
Timetable
 
Friday, July 1
09:00-09:30 Roll-out
09:30-09:35 Starting practice
13:00-14:30 Free practice 1
14:30-14:35 Starting practice
 
Saturday, July 2
08:15-09:45 Free practice
12:10-13:20 Qualifying
 
Sunday, July 3
09:25-09:55 Warm-up
13:00 Race

TV Schedule (ARD live)
 
Saturday, July 2
12:05-13:30 Qualifying
 
Sunday, July 3
12:45-14:25 Race

• 249,500 spectators witnessed one of the closest finishes ever
• Lowest fuel consumption of all Audi races at Le Mans
• Up to 54 consecutive laps with one set of Michelin tyres

Ingolstadt, June 17, 2011 – Audi recorded its tenth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with ultra lightweight technology, an innovative V6 TDI engine and the first ever use of full LED headlights. The most important facts of a memorable race:
 
After 24 hours the Audi R18 TDI with start number “2″ had a winning margin of exactly 13.854 seconds over the second placed Peugeot. This equates to 763 metres. The victorious Audi R18 TDI covered 4,838.295 kilometres. The average speed was 201.266 km/h.
 
The race was neutralized five times, four hours 46 minutes (44 laps) were spent behind the two safety cars. The longest full-course yellow lasted 2 hours 20 minutes.
 
249,500 spectators witnessed Audi’s tenth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As a result, the brand with the Four Rings now holds second place alone in the all time winners list of the world’s most important endurance race. Only sister company Porsche has more wins (16 from 61 races). Audi’s winning ratio is an impressive 76.9 per cent.
 
Audi scored a podium result in all 13 Le Mans events – ten of these factory efforts. In 42 starts since 1999 Audi recorded 32 finishes (76.2 per cent), ten of these wins, five second places and nine third places. Audi achieved 24 of a possible 39 podium positions (61.5 per cent) in the process.
 
For Reinhold Joest’s team it was the twelfth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the eighth with Audi. If you include the wins scored by Dauer Racing (1994) and Bentley (2003), in which the team was also involved, Joest Racing is credited with 14 Le Mans wins.
 
Audi recorded a rare Le Manshat-trick with pole position, fastest race lap and victory.
 
The fastest lap set by an Audi R18 TDI in the race (3m 25.289s) was more than a second faster than the best from Peugeot (3m 26.298s). André Lotterer even undercut Benoît Tréluyer’s pole position time from qualifying in the process.
 
The Audi R18 TDI was superior to its rivals at Le Mans and specifically in the fast corners. In the final sector of the circuit, to which the famous “Porsche Curves” belong, the Audi was eight tenths of a second faster than the best Peugeot.
 
The highest speed recorded by an Audi R18 TDI in the race along the Hunaudières straight was 336.4 km/h.
 
Following the Audi R8 (2000) and the Audi R10 TDI (2006) the Audi R18 TDI is the brand’s third LMP1 sportscar to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the first attempt.
 
The lead changed hands a total of 46 times during the race. Four different cars led the race. Audi topped the leader board for 261 of the 355 laps. The winning car was credited with the most laps (246) in the lead.
 
The victorious Audi R18 TDI visited the pits 31 times. Start number “2″ spent 33 minutes 56 seconds in pit lane (“pit in” / “pit out”). The car was stationary for only 21m 03s.
 
The triumphant trio completed the entire race distance with only nine sets of Michelin tyres. The eighth and final tyre change was only required because the left rear tyre lost air. Benoît Tréluyer completed the longest stint on the same set of tyres – 54 laps (five stints).
 
The 3.7 litre V6 TDI in the Audi R18 TDI consumed an average of only 37.08 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and therefore less than 40 litres for the first time since Audi competes at Le Mans – helped in part by the long safety car phases.
 
The chassis number of the victorious Audi R18 TDI is R18-106. The Audi Sport Team Joest mechanics gave the car the nickname “Red Sonja”.
 
Marcel Fässler is the first Swiss driver in history to win the race.
 
The three victorious Audi drivers Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer can boast an impressive record: up to now they started twice for the factory Audi team at Le Mans, mounting the podium on both occasions. The first Le Mans victory for all three follows last year’s second place.
 
All nine Audi drivers who started in 2011 have now at least one Le Mans victory to their name. A total of 14 drivers have won Le Mans with Audi to date: Seiji Ara (1), Timo Bernhard (1), Frank Biela (5), Dindo Capello (2), Romain Dumas (1), Marcel Fässler (1), Tom Kristensen (6), JJ Lehto (1), André Lotterer (1), Allan McNish (1), Emanuele Pirro (5), Mike Rockenfeller (1), Benoît Tréluyer (1) and Marco Werner (3).
 
Benoît Tréluyer was only the fifth driver in Le Mans history to have won the race from pole position (awarded since 1963) and the Audi R18 TDI only the seventh car to win from the pole. A car with the start number “2″ won for the sixth time since 1923.
 
It was the eleventh victory at Le Mans for Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. The Austrian was also significantly involved in Bentley’s win at the 24 hours in 2003.
 
It was the 28th Le Mans victory for a German automobile manufacturer and also the 28th for a closed car. A diesel powered car won for the sixth time, Audi TDI technology lays claim to five of these.
 
It was the 20th Le Mans victory for Audi tyre partner Michelin, the 14th in succession and the 10th with Audi.
 
The number of retirements in the 79th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was particularly high: only 28 of the 56 cars that started reached the finish.

Communications Motorsport

Another cache of British Insurance Vehicle Security trophies further reinforces Audisecurity standards

• Audi wins five category awards in British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards, presented by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham on Wednesday June 15^th  
• First time awards for new A1 premium sub-compact range and new A8 L W12 quattro in City Car/Supermini and Performance Car categories
• Further category awards for the A4, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 ranges

New and existing Audi models, including the already highly feted A1 premium sub-compact, have made off with a total of five category trophies in the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards, held yesterday at the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre in Thatcham, Berkshire. 

Audi models won through in five of the specific model categories assessed by the experts using the New Vehicle Security Rating (NVSR) process that awards star ratings based on ‘theft of’ and ‘theft from’ protection. The new A1, What Car? Magazine’s Car of the Year for 2011, and also already a winner of class awards from Fleet News Magazine, Fleet World Magazine, Business Car Magazine, CarBuyer.co.uk, parkers.co.uk and honestjohn.co.uk, added a City Car / Supermini category trophy to its haul. The new twelve-cylinder, 500PS A8 L W12 quattro luxury saloon also triumphed in the Performance Car category, continuing the exceptional four-year run of success enjoyed by the previous generation A8, which was tested throughout that time in 450PS S8 form.

The A4 Saloon, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 compact SUV also all achieved higher NVSR scores than their respective competitors for the fourth, third and second year in succession respectively. Since the awards began in 2006, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand has secured no less than 20 category wins, bearing testament to its absolute commitment to security.

No-compromise Audi A1
Commenting on this sixth run of success for Audi, Director of Audi UK Jeremy Hicks said: “I’m obviously delighted that yet again so many of our model ranges have excelled in the eyes of the security experts, but this year I’m especially pleased with our A1 award. We are always at pains to emphasise that our approach to bringing a sub-compact hatchback to market was just as uncompromising on every level as it would be for any other Audi model, and this award stands as further irrefutable proof of that fact.”

Mike Briggs, Vehicle Security Manager at Thatcham, also added his take on proceedings: “With more outright category winners than any other manufacturer and pushing very close for the overall manufacturer award, Audi has once again proved that it is at the top of its game when it comes to vehicle security across the whole range of vehicles, from City Car right through to Luxury. It’s an excellent achievement and Audi thoroughly deserves all its plaudits.”

Award-winning security is achieved right across the Audi range through features including Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser technology with interior ultrasonic protection and anti-tow sensors, Thatcham Category 4 locking wheel bolts and extensive covert and overt marked parts.

Picture caption

A smash without the grab – The new A1 premium sub-compact hatchback is one of five Audi models to be honoured as best-in-class in the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards 2011. The A4, Q5 and A8 L W12 quattro were also winners in their respective categories.

Notes to Editors

Thatcham – Thatcham is one of Europe’s leading authorities in the field of vehicle security. Its experts have been assessing the theft protection standards of vehicles for over ten years and use New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) – a star rating system – to reflect a vehicle’s standard of theft protection. Motorists can access all the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards results and check New Vehicle Security Ratings by visiting www.thatcham.org.

Audi – In 2010 Audi recorded its best ever worldwide result of 1,092,400 sales, a 15 per cent improvement over 2009. In the UK, 99,828 Audi models found homes last year, a 9.5 per cent increase on 2009.  To sustain the technological lead embodied in its Vorsprung durch Technik slogan, the brand plans to invest €11.6 billion, mainly in new products, between 2011 and 2015.  By this point, its range will have expanded from today’s 35 models to a total of 42. Recent additions, including the A1 subcompact and the A7 Sportback, will be joined by, among others, the new A6 Saloon and the Q3 compact SUV. The R8 e-tron, the first fully electric series production Audi model, will also arrive in late 2012. On the race circuit Audi Sport has contested the Le Mans 24-hour race twelve times since 1999, achieving a podium finish on all of these occasions as well as outright victory 9 times. In 2011, Audi will campaign with an entirely new TDI diesel-powered ‘closed’ coupe sports prototype, the Audi R18.

For further information please contact:

• Mike Rockenfeller sits out Lausitzring
• Complete recovery has priority for Audi
• Le Mans record winner as substitute

Ingolstadt, June 16, 2011 – Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen (43) will make a comeback in the DTM this coming weekend at the Lausitzring. The Dane replaces third in the standings Mike Rockenfeller (27) at the wheel of the E-POSTBRIEF Audi A4 DTM for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline.
 

Mike Rockenfeller is recovering quickly but Audi wants to be completely sure that he has sufficient time to fully regenerate following his heavy accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Knowing well that Mike is fighting for the DTM title this year his full recovery has absolute priority,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “After prior consultation with our team doctor I have decided to rest him this coming weekend and also for the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring for this reason.”
 
With Tom Kristensen an old hand returns for one race to the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline squad. The eight-time Le Mans winner competed between 2004 and 2009 for Audi in the DTM before concentrating solely on the sport prototype program. Although he considers the Lausitzring not to be one of his favorite circuits, the Dane has fond memories of the circuit: he mounted the podium as best Audi driver there in 2005 and 2006. “Tom K.” has won four DTM races in his career to date.
 
“First of all I’m sorry for ‘Rocky’ that he will miss this race. I wish him a speedy recovery. After being out of the DTM for two years it will certainly be very tough to come back. But when Dr. Ullrich called me it was self-evident for me to help Audi Sport in this situation,” says the Dane. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the old friends again and will try to substitute ‘Rocky’ as well as possible.”

McNish bids to give Le Mans race winning R15 TDI a perfect “send off” in its final race – the Sebring 12 Hours in Florida
Britain’s Allan McNish sets out to score his fourth and Audi’s 10th race victory in the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours in Florida on Saturday (19 March).

Audi “factory” ace McNish begins a hectic seven race, nine month Intercontinental Le Mans Cup campaign and is determined to get his and Audi’s season off to a flying start.

McNish shares a revised diesel-engined Audi R15 TDI with regular co-drivers Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Dindo Capello (Italy), the trio looking to sign off the R15 TDI sportscar’s career on a winning note.

“Tom, Dindo and I will race the Audi R15 TDI as opposed to our new R18 which is not race ready yet so the Coupé’s first public outing will be at the ‘test weekend’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours in April and race début at Spa the following month,” confirmed Dumfries-born McNish.

“So we’ll be trying hard to give the ‘old girl’ one last victory in its 10th and final scheduled race. Tom, Dindo and I gave the R15 TDI a début race win at Sebring in 2009, the first of three race wins this particular Audi model scored over the past two years.

“The last win for the R15 TDI was at Le Mans last year when Audi achieved a fabulous 1-2-3 result while Tom and I were very close to adding to that tally in my last race in China last November. So we know the R15 TDI’s reliability record and its performance envelope so believe we can take the chase to the competition.”

New technical regulations from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) for 2011 prompted Audi to develop the “closed cockpit” R18. Older models like the R15 TDI may only compete in heavily modified form with greatly restricted engine power and a smaller fuel tank.

A field of over 50-cars is expected to contest the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, the McNish/Kristensen/Capello Audi Sport Team Joest entry backed up by the “sister” R15 TDI of 2010 Le Mans 24 Hour winning combination of Timo Bernhard (D)/Romain Dumas (F)/Mike Rockenfeller (D).

Audi’s arch-rival Peugeot will compete at the 3.7 mile, 17-corner Sebring International Raceway – America’s premier sports car racing facility nestling amongst the orange groves and cattle ranches of central Florida which is the oldest permanent road racing track in North America.

The last time Audi raced at Sebring in 2009, 170,800 spectators attended the race meeting. Legends Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio have previously won the annual race which has also attracted the likes of Steve McQueen, Gene Hackman, Paul Newman and Patrick Dempsey.

Allan added: “Sebring is one of the hardest races because it is the opening race of the year while it’s invariably staged in hot and humid weather conditions. The circuit is fast, intense and bumpy requiring 100% concentration throughout.

“I raced at Sebring for the first time in 1997 and won while in the 12 Hour race itself, have won it three times finishing on the podium six times from seven starts, so it has been a happy hunting ground for me and I’m very much looking to continue that trend in 2011.

“I like the circuit because it is an ‘old style’ circuit and hasn’t changed much since Stirling Moss raced there first in the mid-1950s. The track surface is bumpy with some nasty kerbing at some corners all of which we don’t see in Europe, especially not at circuits used for Formula 1 races, but I think it gives it a lot of character. Additionally there is always a mega crowd generating an electric atmosphere.”

Britain’s Allan McNish took time out from fine-tuning his new diesel-engined Audi sportscar to personally get himself up to speed by attending Audi Sport’s annual winter fitness training camp last week (12-19 Feb).

McNish has been testing his Audi racecar in readiness for the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours in Florida next month (19 March) but spent seven days in the mountain region of Ofterschwang, Germany, to ensure his physical fitness is in absolute peak condition.

The Scotsman, along with his Audi “factory” team-mates, went through the pain barrier in various activities. These included skiing and mountain walking in snow shoes plus intense gym sessions featuring running, weights, spinning, soccer and volleyball.

Allan hopes the hard work will pay off in his racecar’s cockpit when the Dumfries-born ace begins a hectic seven race, nine month Intercontinental Le Mans Cup campaign.

“It is always a hard weeks training but also a good week to get to know and understand your team-mates a better in a non-racing environment,” commented McNish. “Tom [Kristensen], Dindo [Capello] and I are all strong and fit enough but there is still that healthy element of competition between us which makes it a fun week.”

To start the winter camp, the drivers were subject to a medical examination, in which the blood values and stamina were checked on a bicycle ergo-meter. “For every driver who has been with us for a number of years it’s possible to draw good comparisons over that time,” says Audi Sport’s team doctor Dr. Christian John.

“We’ve often won races over the last few years, particularly at Le Mans, because our drivers are fit and can drive four consecutive stints at night without any problems. The competition has caught up a little in this respect – but I believe we are still a little bit ahead.”

The daily programme at the Sonnenalp was always in two parts: 30 minutes stretching followed by endurance training with the focus on skating, cross country skiing and “snow shoe” hiking during the morning with team sports like football, tennis or volleyball later in the day.

Audi competes with a “closed” sportscar for the first time since 1999 at Le Mans in June, a fact not lost on Dr. John. “The regulations stipulate that the cockpit temperature may not exceed a certain value,” he says. “But the air in the cockpit is drier and warmer than with an open sports prototype, which is why it will be important to carry a drink bottle on board.”

In general race drivers must be able to drink a lot of fluid before a race to withstand the heat. “Endurance training helps the body to compensate for both,” says Dr. John.

“A driver’s neck is heavily loaded, which is why the neck and shoulder muscles must be specially trained. There are exercises and devices specifically for this which all our drivers have at home. Arms, legs and the neck must all be seen as one. Long-distance running is a particularly good exercise for race drivers, which is why I am very pleased that many of our drivers regularly take part in marathons.”

McNish will share a diesel-engined Audi R15 TDI with regular co-drivers Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Dindo Capello (Italy) and sets out to score his fourth and Audi’s 10th race victory in the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours race on 19 March.

Lightweight carbon skis designed and developed by Audi Concept Design in Munich may make ‘series production’ by winter 2011
Developed with the same obsessive attention to optimum performance, quality and innovative design as Audi cars
Audi Carbon Skis complement the new Audi merchandise Ski collection, available to order in Centres now
Decades of Audi expertise gained in developing quattro models that resolutely hold the road even on snow and ice have just been invested in two skis rather than four wheels for the first time. The new Audi Carbon Skis benefit from the brand’s very latest lightweight construction know-how, and its famously obsessive design and development process, ensuring that they bring time-honoured Vorsprung durch Technik innovation to the black run. The new high-tech skis are currently being developed for ‘series production’, and may become available as early as this coming winter (2011/2012).

The experts from Audi Concept Design have kept the structure of the skis simple – an outer shell of high-strength carbon fibre encloses layers of aluminium and titanium, and a wood core. At 1,550g (for a 170cm ski), each ski will be around 200g lighter than comparable models, which makes them incredibly manoeuvrable and agile.

“Carbon and aluminium are central elements in Audi design – these exclusive materials underscore the outstanding quality of our cars,” Wolfgang Egger, Head of Design for the Audi Group said. “The design of the ski also intentionally dispenses with unnecessary lines and concentrates fully on the material.”

The advantage of lightweight carbon fibre is that it gives outstanding strength, good damping properties and stiffness, while minimising torsion and revolutionising the handling properties of the ski. The ski flexes on the mogul slopes to achieve optimal grip on uneven surfaces but must not twist on icy patches so that the steel edges can maintain their grip on the snow along their entire length. This means that the ski never loses contact with the ground. The light weight of the carbon also plays a critical role for slalom skiing.

The first prototypes of the Audi Carbon Ski were tested on the slopes last month during the most famous downhill race in the world – the Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel, and are being tested now at the World Ski Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The skis have also been extensively tested by specialists from premium sports equipment manufacturer Head and the German Ski Association to help perfect the design.

“As a long-time partner and sponsor of the German Ski Association, a ski produced by Audi is a logical consequence. This is how the Audi Carbon Ski concept came about. And the ski’s brilliant handling characteristics have been confirmed by professionals from the sport,” Egger said.

• First “matchball” for Audi driver Timo Scheider
• Mattias Ekström and Martin Tomczyk still in title race too
• Eagerly awaited DTM debut at Dijon-Prenois

Ingolstadt/Dijon – The motorsport world will be focusing on France on October 11 with eager anticipation: For the first time, the DTM will visit the legendary French circuit of Dijon-Prenois at which one of the most spectacular Formula 1 races of all time took place exactly 30 years ago. And for the first time an automobile manufacturer could be securing a third consecutive DTM title – because Audi driver Timo Scheider will have the first “matchball” in France.

The reigning DTM champion will travel to the DTM’s debut at Dijon-Prenois with an advantage of 12 points over his team colleague Mattias Ekström, 14 over Mercedes driver Gary Paffett and 20 over Martin Tomczyk. Consequently, Scheider will also lead the standings after the ninth race of the season. If the 30-year-old German has a perfect race weekend, he will arrive at the DTM finale at Hockenheim 14 days later as the new and old champion.

Scheider can win the championship early at Dijon-Prenois on his own power – irrespective of the results of his closest rivals. To do so, he would have to win the race or finish as the runner-up. On the other hand, his three remaining rivals in the title fight have to hope for a poor result of the leader of the standings and score a lot of points themselves: Martin Tomczyk has to win in order to stay in the title race. Gary Paffett needs at least a fifth- and Mattias Ekström a sixth-place finish.

However, Timo Scheider & company are in for what may be their trickiest task of the year. The 3.801-kilometre circuit of Dijon-Prenois, with an average speed of almost 200 km/h, is by far the fastest track on the DTM calendar and the race, with a distance of 197.652 km, the longest of the season.

In addition, the extremely fast turns put a severe strain on the tires. Particularly the left front tire is considered highly vulnerable. Therefore, an optimum set-up, the right strategy and a sensible driving style are of paramount importance at Dijon-Prenois. Because the high-speed circuit hardly offers any overtaking opportunities, qualifying on Saturday will be even more important than at the previous seven races of the season.

That the circuit of Dijon-Prenois suits Timo Scheider as well as the Audi A4 DTM was obvious as early as during the official tests held prior to the start of the season at which the reigning champion posted the fastest time. In addition, the aerodynamically refined A4 handles fast turns particularly well. The start-finish straight covering a distance of more than one kilometre does not give Audi much reason to worry either: In most of the top speed measurements the A4 has been the front runner this year.

Although Audi travels to France with two racers heading the standings and three of the remaining four title candidates are Audi drivers, the squad at Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm is perfectly aware of the fact that the coveted title is not yet in its pocket. Too much can happen in the DTM – and the strong competition from Stuttgart will leave no stone unturned to postpone the decision to the finale at Hockenheim.

Still, should the champion be determined as early as at Dijon-Prenois, Audi would be the first automobile manufacturer in the history of the DTM that has been held since 1984 to win the title for the third consecutive time – and Timo Scheider the second DTM driver after Bernd Schneider (2000/2001) to manage a successful title defence.

So there are reasons galore to travel to the DTM race in Burgundy or to turn on the TV. ARD will broadcast live from Dijon-Prenois, qualifying on Saturday starting at 1:25 pm (German time) and the race on Sunday starting at 1:45 pm.

An ultra-rare car bearing the name of Audi’s “founding father” August Horch has won the top award in the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, very appropriately crowning the prestige car company’s 100 year Centenary celebrations.

This year sees a host of anniversaries for Audi, which is synonymous with the famous four rings emblem that also takes pride of place on this exquisite Horch. Sixty years ago this month, the brand began producing cars at its Ingolstadt plant in Germany. At the Frankfurt Motor Show 30 years ago next month (September), Audi presented its first turbocharged petrol engine. Ten years later at the same show in Germany, the 100 became the first Audi model to wear the now ubiquitous TDI badge denoting turbocharged diesel power.

The 1937 Horch 853 Voll & Ruhrbeck Sport Cabriolet, owned by an American private collector, was named “Best of Show” at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance along the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links® on August 16th.

Competitors from almost 20 countries brought their lovingly restored cars to California’s Monterey Peninsula for judging in 28 classes. A 1938 Horch 853A Erdmann & Rossi Sport Cabriolet had won the “Best in Show” award in 2004.

The Horch company, which was founded in 1899 and began manufacturing cars in 1901, was unified with three other car manufacturers – Audi, DKW and Wanderer – to form Auto Union, or what is today known as Audi. In fact, Audi is the Latin translation of Horch.

In 1935, the Horch Company introduced the Horch 850 with a five-litre, straight-eight engine. The shorter wheelbase 853 model, which won this year’s “Best of Show” and featured coachwork by the Berlin coachbuilder, Voll & Ruhrbeck, was very popular among Germany’s rich and famous, offering luxury at a very competitive price. The last Horch roadcar was built in 1958.

Owner Robert M. Lee, from Nevada, spent five years restoring the Pebble Beach winning vehicle to a show-worthy condition requiring specialised parts and information to be sourced from Germany.

“I had never seen anything like it when I first saw it,” reflected Mr. Lee. “I drove it almost 100 miles a day before the competition and it ran beautifully. It’s a wonderful car and I wanted to share it with others.”

New Audi TT RS

Evocative five-cylinder engine from flagship TT is instrumental in creating new downloadable music track

To mark the launch of the new Audi TT RS, and equally importantly to celebrate the distinctly different sound of its evocative new five-cylinder engine, Audi has commissioned a very special music track created entirely from sounds recorded on the move in the new flagship 340PS sports car.

The track captures the many high notes hit by the sonorous new engine, which although at the forefront of technology in the best traditions of Vorsprung durch Technik, has a rich, deep tonal repertoire across its rev range that is reminiscent of the World Rally Championship-winning quattros of the Eighties. Entitled “Die Funf Zylinder“ or “The Five Cylinder”, it was conceived by agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), Audi UK’s advertising partner since 1982, and its composition was the work of musician Neil Barnes, one half of electronic music legends Leftfield, and Nic Rapaccioli, a DJ also involved with the band.

By recording the car performing a multitude of manoeuvres, engineers were able to capture sounds that mirror effects and instruments found in electronic music. The sound of the TT RS engine running at different speeds created the melodic tunes of the track. As a result, the song brings to life the sound of the engine in a dynamic and punchy composition.

The TT RS campaign also features a press advert, art directed to look like an album cover. The execution, currently running in motoring magazines, directs readers to the Audi UK web site and to a mobile site to download the track.

Peter Duffy, Audi UK Head of Marketing said, “Audi is all about innovation through advanced technology. The opportunity to create content that is Vorsprung durch Technik in itself is something we’re very excited about.”

An excerpt from the track is available to listen to free-of-charge via www.audi.co.uk/ttrs, and the full version can be purchased online via iTunes.

Audi UK has enjoyed an exceptionally rapid rise to prominence in the premium sector. In 2000 just over 43,000 Audi models found homes in the UK, and from that point until 2008 the brand has continually broken annual sales records, successfully passing the milestone 100,000 sales mark in 2007 and 2008, when it ended the year with a record 4.7% market share from 100,845 sales. Globally, the brand exceeded 1 million deliveries for the first time in its history in 2008, marking the occasion with its best ever revenue figure and a record profit-before-tax total of 3.177 billion Euros (£2.94 billion) in the process. With its programmes for both road and race cars the brand continues to maintain its dramatic trajectory. On the road it has extended its reach into important new segments with strong offerings such as the A3 Cabriolet, the Q5, the TT RS and the R8 5.2 FSI quattro, and in the near future will break further new ground with the A1 compact hatchback, the Q3 compact SUV and the A5 Sportback five-door coupe. On the race circuit Audi Sport has contested the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour marathon with the R15 TDI – a completely new sports prototype powered by a newly developed ten-cylinder diesel engine.