SAD NEWS // AUDI IS OUT OF THE ALMS

This has been a bad week for motorsports. First we saw the withdrawal of Honda from Formula One, followed shortly thereafter by the FIA’s ‘engine standardization’ press release, and now with news coming in that Audi intends to withdraw from the ALMS, the 2009 season in looking a bit glum. Citing the financial downturn, Audi intends to remove itself from the American Le Mans Series and instead, focus their efforts on DTM and GT3 class racing across Europe.

Audi first joined the ALMS in 2000 and has since dominated the LMP1 class, taking the championship nine consecutive times. Last year alone, Audi finished first in seven of eleven contests and has been the driving force behind alternative energy race vehicles. It is unclear at this time whether the Champion Racing team, Audi’s partner in the ALMS, will continue to see support and/or be provided with the R10 TDI race cars for the upcoming season. An unfortunate turn of events, set into motion in part due to a slumping auto industry and an otherwise sorry looking financial situation worldwide. Stay with ColdTrackDays for additional updates on the ALMS and Audi’s future in endurance racing // 12.08.2008