ALMS

Mosport: Audi qualifying report

New record lap for Audi in Canada 138.116 mph average speed in qualifying at Mosport Tenth pole position in the ALMS for Dindo Capello *Both Audi R10 TDI prototypes on the front row of the grid Ingolstadt/Mosport -- Audi driver Dindo ...

Edited: Aug 25, 2008, 11:39 PM

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New record lap for Audi in Canada

*138.116 mph average speed in qualifying at Mosport

*Tenth pole position in the ALMS for Dindo Capello

*Both Audi R10 TDI prototypes on the front row of the grid

Ingolstadt/Mosport -- Audi driver Dindo Capello has turned the former Canadian Grand Prix circuit at Mosport into the fastest racetrack of the American Le Mans Series. In Saturday's qualifying, he beat last year's pole time with the over 650-hp Audi R10 TDI by almost two seconds. With an average speed of 138.116 mph, Capello recorded the fastest lap ever in the history of the American Le Mans Series thus beating the record which his team-mate Lucas Luhr had established just a fortnight ago at Road America.

Driving the "sister" car, Marco Werner made sure that both Audi R10 TDI prototypes will start from the front row of the grid on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. local time (9:05 p.m. in Germany). The German was a mere 94 thousands of a second slower than Dindo Capello. The Italian celebrated his tenth pole position in the American Le Mans Series having captured his last pole exactly one year ago also at Mosport.

The performance of the Le Mans-winner was very special because he did not drive at all in the last practice before qualifying as a part of the track surface had broken up and the session had to be stopped prematurely.

The two Audi R10 TDI prototypes incurred significant damage due to the tarmac already the day before giving the Team Audi Sport North America considerable overtime. The monocoque of the car of Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner even had to be changed overnight because a repair of the damaged tub at the race track was not possible. Hence the joy was even greater following the perfect qualifying result.

Thunderstorms are predicted for race day at Mosport. Audi won with the Audi R10 TDI at Mosport in 2006. Last year, Dindo Capello and Allan McNish enjoyed a commanding lead before dropping to second place just minutes from the end of the race due to a problem with the shifting system.

Dindo Capello (Audi R10 TDI #1): "After the terrible weekend Allan (McNish) and I had at the Nurburgring it is so nice to be back in a top position. For me this pole is really special because I could not run in the session before qualifying. I was a little bit afraid, but on my first flying lap I understood that the car was good and a like it. I had just to push. I had a big power slide out of the last corner and I was afraid that this could have cost me the pole, but at the end it was good enough."

Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #1): "We could not hope for more. We have both cars in front. Both Dindo (Capello) and Marco (Werner) did a really extraordinary job: To put both Audis on the front row on this track which is normally not the best for us, is really exceptional. We are very happy with the set-up for the race. We start from the best position, let's just hope it will not rain tomorrow."

Lucas Luhr (Audi R10 TDI #2): "I am actually quite satisfied. Marco (Werner) is of course a bit disappointed, because definitely more would have been possible. We've all seen that, but that's racing: Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes unlucky. Our day was tough but good. After what happened yesterday we can be happy with second position on the grid. We have a good car for the race. I'm looking forward for tomorrow."

Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #2): "Of course we are satisfied to have both cars on the front row. Personally I've a fairly thick neck because of Mister Montagny who cost me two tenths of a second. This would have been pole, but the most important thing is we have both Audis in front."

Dave Maraj (Team Director Audi Sport North America): "It was a great team effort especially after what happened yesterday. Both cars were back in good shape for qualifying and both drivers did a fantastic job. Congratulations to the drivers and the whole team for their hard work."

-credit: audi

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