LM24 Do you think Audi will be on the Grid at Le Mans 2003

rdjones · 15 Oct 2002, 20:49 (Ref:405180)

Ok, Simple question do you think Audi will be on the grid at Le Mans next year?

I think there will be some Audi's on the grid next year

JAG · 15 Oct 2002, 21:13 (Ref:405192)

The Audi NA boss said Audi would support privateer Audis to try to make a legacy ala 917, 956/962. I would love to see Champion, Rahal, Audi UK and other R8s. What about the 2000/2001 spec R8s. Surely without works R8s they could put up a good fight, especially at the longer races.

**Aysedasi** · 15 Oct 2002, 21:30 (Ref:405201)

Where's the "I hope not" category then?

rdjones · 15 Oct 2002, 21:36 (Ref:405213)

Quote:

Originally posted by Aysedasi
Where's the "I hope not" category then?

I knew I should have added that option...........

Lee Janotta · 15 Oct 2002, 22:40 (Ref:405263)

We need clarification here. Are you asking if Audi R8s, fielded by Reinhold Joest and carrying sponsorship from Audi themselves will be there?

If so, then no. Joest, I think is going to be working on the Porsche Carrera GT project, or will have some involvement with the Bentley program.

Will there be Audi R8s sitting on the front row at LeMans? At least one, no doubt about it, and probably 5 altogether.

Liz · 15 Oct 2002, 23:41 (Ref:405321)

Five of them on the front row? That'll make for a REAL entertaining start!

They will be there somewhere, but not Joest Audis.

Russfeld · 16 Oct 2002, 05:20 (Ref:405415)

There might even be a Joest Audi. Infineon have a contract through to the end of 2003 and even if the 'factory' doesnt run, they want a car for their drivers a la the Werner/Peter/Krumm car they had this season.

Fab · 16 Oct 2002, 05:32 (Ref:405417)

Quote:

Originally posted by Aysedasi
Where's the "I hope not" category then?

Even privateers Audi ? Could be interresting for the race itself... I just hope there won't be a Joest work Audi...

**Adam43** · 16 Oct 2002, 10:30 (Ref:405559)

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee Janotta
If so, then no. Joest, I think is going to be working on the Porsche Carrera GT project, or will have some involvement with the Bentley program.

Hmmmm. Porsche. Hmmmm. Porsche at Le Mans?

I agree with most there will some Audis at Le Mans this year. Hopefully quite a few privateers.

I suppose there will be a works Audi there, but it'll be green and have a roof.

Nordic · 16 Oct 2002, 11:20 (Ref:405596)

I hope the Joest Audi team are there, If they do not enter a works team the Bentley victory will forever to tainted by the 'what if' question.
plus I always like to see the best teams compete with the best cars,
it's not Audis fault that the others can't keep up.

**Aysedasi** · 16 Oct 2002, 12:09 (Ref:405656)

Quote:

Originally posted by Nordic
I hope the Joest Audi team are there, If they do not enter a works team the Bentley victory will forever to tainted by the 'what if' question.
plus I always like to see the best teams compete with the best cars,
it's not Audis fault that the others can't keep up.

While all that is very obviously true, I can't agree - I don't want to watch another re-run of 2000/2001/2002.

kdr · 16 Oct 2002, 12:13 (Ref:405660)

i agree somewhat ayse....but it would be interesting to see which privateer does the best job.

i think we'd love them more if they made a nicer sound...or maybe broke down occasionally

**Aysedasi** · 16 Oct 2002, 12:16 (Ref:405662)

Yep. Brilliant cars they may be, but they don't light my fire. Not in looks or sound, I'm afraid.

Nordic · 16 Oct 2002, 12:37 (Ref:405693)

The Audis looks and sounds don't do alot for me either, I just want someone to compete at the same level, hopefully with a better looking/sounding car. I hope and pray the Bentley will be the car, it may sound the same but looks alot nicer.
Like it or not the Audi IS the car to beat and any win without a meaningful works presence in my view is devalued.

MGF · 16 Oct 2002, 13:40 (Ref:405746)

Every man and his dog who own/borrow/steal an Audi will be there next year.....

Have to agree with you there Aysedasi, they are worthy champions of Le-Mans, but they don't float my boat as much as an MG, Bently or Panoz do.....

Excuse the awful Grammar, but you get my sentiment though

Fab · 16 Oct 2002, 13:53 (Ref:405752)

I'll follow Kdr on the way of thinking that next non-Audi LM winner should beat Audi on the track... I think green cars should succeed... but a want a BATTLE on the track, not a parade !!!

kdr · 16 Oct 2002, 16:50 (Ref:405878)

i tried to find another nice pic of an audi, but i already posted the best one. this is most interesting shot i could find and thats because of the other two cars in the pic.

and i agree...they sound terrible!

**Aysedasi** · 16 Oct 2002, 17:02 (Ref:405900)

Quote:

Originally posted by kdr
i tried to find another nice pic of an audi, but i already posted the best one. this is most interesting shot i could find and thats because of the other two cars in the pic.

and i agree...they sound terrible!

It's pretty good - as we've come to expect!

**Aysedasi** · 16 Oct 2002, 17:04 (Ref:405902)

....and just to be fair to Audi, here's one of mine......

Mal · 16 Oct 2002, 22:14 (Ref:406100)

I think Audi will be on the grid in 2003, but mainly in privateers hands. However there is a chance the joest could enter as a privateer team.
If they are not there, I do not think a Bentley victory will be devalued and I think there will be 60,000 Brits there to make sure it is a great event. Anyone that can win LeMans after 24 hours of racing deserves it and should be wholeheatedly congratulated. Dominant teams have come and gone in the past, but that doesnt make the next winner any less worthy.

Liz · 16 Oct 2002, 23:20 (Ref:406152)

I agree -- but I also like the Panoz Sound better. I had a hard time explaining to a young (18) racer friend of mine last year that although the Saleen, Corvette and Panoz engines are not technically superior to the Porsche turbo whatevers, I simply like the way the former sound . Those are the sounds I grew up with.

I don't care who wins as long as he does it fairly, but it'd be nice to see three different makes and models on the podium this year.

Fab · 17 Oct 2002, 05:59 (Ref:406260)

Another view, Ayse...

Fab · 17 Oct 2002, 06:06 (Ref:406261)

But this one was a little bit "anonymous" in this livery... (sorry that the pic is not good, but my small numeric camera is too slow for that kind of sport !).

View Poll Results: Do you think Audi will be on the Grid at Le Mans 2003
Yes	10	76.92%
No	3	23.08%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

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