Capello comments on new Road Atlanta surface

NEW ROAD ATLANTA SURFACE FINDS FAVOR WITH AUDI'S CAPELLO

As if Audi needed any more help winning at Road Atlanta, Dindo Capello's eyes lit up when talking about the new racing surface at the famed north Georgia track.

"There is lots of grip," said the Italian, who boasts 29 career P1 wins including all three appearances at Petit Le Mans. "Audi always has been good here. It's very fast which is good for our R10 TDI. The simulation shows that we should do very well here."

Capello and Allan McNish will try for their second straight Petit Le Mans win and wrap up their second straight P1 crown together in the 10th running of the 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic. The duo has won seven times in class this season but is looking for its first overall win in the Series since St. Petersburg in March.

Repaving the fast and challenging circuit was a focal point of a major renovation and capital improvements project at Road Atlanta during the winter.

Prior to repaving, the concrete barrier block walls on both sides of the lower part of the Esses (a signature set of turns 3-5) were moved back as much as 30 feet to provide additional run off areas for competitors. Also prior to repaving, all of the track's concrete patches were dug out and filled with a gravel base and asphalt along with extensive milling of the old surface, especially in the corners, to give the new asphalt surface better adhesion all around the track. Curbing was repaired or replaced and the back half of the main paddock and front entrance parking lot was repaved.

The 10th running of Petit Le Mans, the annual 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic at Road Atlanta, is set for 11:15 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 6. SPEED will provide live coverage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 10 p.m. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA's Live Timing and Scoring will be available at www.americanlemans.com.

-credit: alms