ALMS
First 'match point' for Audi at Laguna Seca
At the tenth round of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) on 15 October at Laguna Seca in California, Audi plays for its first match point: Should one of the two Audi R8 sportscars cross the finish line in the first four places ahead of the BMW and ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
At the tenth round of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) on 15 October at Laguna Seca in California, Audi plays for its first match point: Should one of the two Audi R8 sportscars cross the finish line in the first four places ahead of the BMW and Panoz, then Team Audi Sport North America secures the ALMS manufacturer's title two rounds before the end of the season.
In the drivers' championship as well, Audi has moved from being the hunter to the hunted: After a double victory at "Petit Le Mans", Audi driver Allan McNish captured the overall lead in the fiercely contested sportscar series, with his team mate Rinaldo Capello ranking second equal overall with BMW driver Jorg Muller. Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro currently sit fifth and sixth respectively and also hold title chances. "Never give up," says Biela, "because in the remaining three races anything can happen."
With five wins in succession, Le Mans winner Audi has impressively proven the extraordinary qualities of the Audi R8 in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). "Now we are reaping the rewards of our hard work. But we will keep the pressure on for the rest of the season, because nothing has been decided yet," declares team director Reinhold Joest. "Our wins to date are the rewards for a perfect car and a brilliant team."
Allan McNish travels to the Laguna Seca race full of optimism: "I's a quick track with several very difficult passages, including the famous corkscrew corner, that should suit our Audi nicely."
So far this season Audi has clinched four double victories in the American Le Mans Series. Although the manufacturer's title is within reach, and the Audi pilots have taken over the points lead in the drivers' championship, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport, warns against complacency: "It is, of course, fantastic that we are leading. But you cannot afford to relax for one moment, because the competition is fierce and the season doesn't finish until the flag drops in Adelaide."
Compared to the 1000 mile "Petit Le Mans" marathon, the ALMS round in Laguna Seca is regarded as more of a sprint race run over 2 hours, 45 minutes. The start takes place on Sunday, 15 October at 12.30 pm (local time).
<pre> Current Points Standings
Drivers 1. Allan McNish (Audi R8) 210 2. Rinaldo Capello (Audi R8) 202 2. Jorg Muller (BMW) 202 4. JJ Lehto (BMW) 200 5. Frank Biela (Audi R8) 192 6. Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8) 191 7. Jan Magnussen (Panoz) 188 8. David Brabham (Panoz) 175 9. Hiroki Katoh (Panoz) 143 10. Johnny O'Connell (Panoz) 133
Manufacturers 1. Audi 217 2. BMW 196 3. Panoz 184 4. Reynard 106 5. Lola 101 6. Cadillac 84
Laguna Seca Timetable
Friday, 13 October 10.10 - 11.10 hours free practice 14.50 - 15.10 hours 1st qualifying
Saturday, 14 October 10.30 - 11.30 hours free practice 14.35 - 14.55 Uhr 2nd qualifying
Sunday, 15 October 08.00 - 08.30 hours warm-up 12.30 hours start
All times are local times.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article A lap of Laguna Seca with Stefan Johansson
Next article Laguna Seca preview notes
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Johnny O'Connell
Long, Parente PWC duel continues this weekend at Sonoma
SRO America
SRO America
Sonoma
Long, Parente PWC duel continues this weekend at Sonoma
Three COTA 60-minute races to determine SprintX championships
SRO America
SRO America
Circuit of the Americas
Three COTA 60-minute races to determine SprintX championships
Mid-Ohio PWC: Parente scores dramatic GT pole
SRO America
SRO America
Mid-Ohio
Mid-Ohio PWC: Parente scores dramatic GT pole
Latest news
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Alex Bowman hits out at critics in snarky post, shooting down early exit rumors
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
4 h
Ryan Blaney gets sweet redemption after 'nightmares' following 2024 Homestead loss
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 4 h
IndyCar 2026 season review: Dale Coyne Racing
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
4 h
Noah Gragson apologizes to Daniel Suarez for spinning him at Homestead
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe