Audi out of LMP1!!

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10-14-2016, 02:34 PM

#16

Nizer

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Audi Withdrawing LeMans/WEC LMP1 After 2017

The decision to back diesel tech and cede gasoline/hybrid to Porsche sealed the fate of Audi's race program once dieselgate hit. Relieved it wasn't the other way around. Now if only Weideking hadn't tried to acquire VW......

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/mo...drawal-updated

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10-14-2016, 02:38 PM

#17

Mr. Adair

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Do we want a LMP1 series with 2 brands? Or does this spell the end of that category? Am I missing something? Or will someone come in?

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10-14-2016, 03:08 PM

#18

stronbl

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Too bad. Audi built a very competitive program and pushed the envelope. It will be interesting to see what is next (if anything).

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10-14-2016, 03:08 PM

#19

MaxLTV

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Makes sense - Audi LMP1 was a flagship for diesel, and now diesel is a dirty word, at least in the VAG universe. Makes sense to put it on pause.

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10-14-2016, 04:01 PM

#20

ir_fuel

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It will be interesting to see who is going to fill the void.

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10-14-2016, 04:56 PM

#21

facelvega

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My guess - autonomously driven vehicle. Better weight and aerodynamics if you don't have to support a human...

......just kidding (I hope!)

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10-14-2016, 05:15 PM

#22

e_d_h

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Adair

Do we want a LMP1 series with 2 brands? Or does this spell the end of that category? Am I missing something? Or will someone come in?

Audi contested most of the 2000s without another factory competitor. If they actually have plans not to race in 2018 concessions will be given to draw SMP, Strakka, and Rebellion back into privateer and perhaps allow OEMs to support privateer teams or sell customer "privateer" level cars.

The ACO must properly balance Peugeot and Toyota's calls for cost reduction while embracing BMW and Audi's desire to run more than two hybrid recapture systems and hydrogen. Hyundai are the perpetual rumor and Peugeot promised to return after they return to profit (which they have).

Audi were supposed to leave for F1 two years in a row now, no time to panic IMO.

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10-14-2016, 06:35 PM

#23

LuigiVampa

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Quote:

Originally Posted by LexVan

Could they combine the best-of-the-best braintrust and benfit Porsche in LMP1?

Lets hope that happens as Audi knows what the hell they are doing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by raclaims

Makes total sense to me from a marketing standpoint...make Porsche the racing brand and Audi can stick with it's sedan crowd.

Plus Audi I'm sure can still race in other series and classes to keep the motorsports look.

I agree - it just makes sense. Porsche is known as the performance brand so it always was a little curious to me that Audi took the lead for these races.

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10-14-2016, 06:39 PM

#24

ir_fuel

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Quote:

Originally Posted by neanicu

I propose a Rennlister that tracks a lot as a replacement(trackcar,orthojoe,mooty,macca...sorry to those I'm forgetting

)
That way we'll have a level 1 cleaning lady inside PAG.

Kibort?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archimedes

Yup. Audi seems to be moving their product line away from the sporting side of things to the luxury sedan/coupe realm anyway. Makes sense to let Porsche carry the racing mantle.

Well, ehm ...

I think they currently have more different kinds of race cars than Porsche.

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10-14-2016, 10:55 PM

#25

Geneman

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kibort and krause ... co-drivers

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10-14-2016, 11:13 PM

#26

mklaskin

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Geneman

kibort and krause ... co-drivers

Kibort and VR, with Winders filling in on the endurance races. Pro Coach as engineer!ðŸ‘ðŸ»

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10-15-2016, 10:39 PM

#27

The Brewmeister

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ir_fuel

Kibort?

Well, ehm ...

I think they currently have more different kinds of race cars than Porsche.

Yup, they are still going to support their customer racing teams. Can't wait to see that RS 3 LMS in the Continental Sports Car Challenge series.

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10-16-2016, 01:55 PM

#28

GT3DE

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I'll take Weber's seat - as long as no conflict with PCA CR at Sebring, WGI and Road America.

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10-17-2016, 12:17 PM

#29

Cory M

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Sad end to a legendary racing program. Think of the technological improvements between the original R8 LMP900 car and the insane LMP1 cars of today. The R8's that were so advanced back then seem fairly basic today. Audi pushed that tech and the level of professionalism of a sportscar race team. With the massive fines given to VAG and all of the pending court cases and legal actions over the diesel scandal I'm not shocked to see them axe the program, but I will miss seeing them compete.