Audi Announces Two Full Time LMP1 Teams for 2005 Season

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Audi Announces Two Full Time LMP1 Teams for 2005 ALMS Season

ALMS Story 1-11-2005

Braselton, Ga. - Saying that the American Le Mans Series "affords the best chance to showcase our cars at the highest level of racing," Audi Sport North America Monday announced that Audi is expanding its prototype involvement by running two full teams for the entire ALMS 2005 season. "We are again partnering with Champion, the reigning ALMS championship operation, and will be starting our seventh year of affiliation with the American Le Mans Series," said Audi Sports North America spokesperson Rod Bymaster. "We believe the ALMS is the top level of sports car racing in the world and we will once again make a very competitive run towards the overall championship."

The announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Audi expects to finalize its driver combinations later this month. The Champion Audi stable will be participating in the first ever ALMS Winter Test at Sebring, January 31-February 3. A year ago, JJ Lehto and Marco Werner teamed to win Champion's first overall ALMS title - the first for Lehto and second consecutive for Werner -- and Pompano Beach, FL based team owner Dave Maraj.

Bymaster indicated that both Champion teams would compete at the world famous 24 Heures du Man (24 Hours of Le Mans) in mid-June in France with the goal of becoming the first American privateer team to win the prestigious event.

In 2004, Champion Audi blazed a trail of consistency and front running finishes, winning eight times in nine starts (seven by the Lehto/Werner combination). Since Champion notched its first overall victory at the Atlanta Grand Prix on June 29, 2003, it has raced home first overall in 12 of its last 17 starts.

In the records of ALMS prototype competition dating back to 1999, the Audi race program has posted 40 GTP/LMP900/LMP1 all-time manufacturer victories in the 56-race history of the series. Audi also has more ALMS pole positions (37) than any race car in ALMS history. From 2002 through August of 2004, the Audi program produced 19 consecutive overall race wins.