LM24 Audi boss confirms Le Mans pull-out

a_r_c_a · 22 Nov 2002, 13:40 (Ref:434655)

Three-time winner won't return to defend title for one year. If you are not remenber Audi has dominated the past three Le Mans 24 Hours.
As expected, Audi has confirmed that it will not send a factory team of its dominant R8s to the Le Mans 24 Hours.
My sun is lost in cloudy skies.

Fab · 22 Nov 2002, 15:34 (Ref:434726)

It will be PRIVATEERS, lads, everybody could have a chance next year !!! Sorry, I can't see nothing borying, and can't wait till next 4th May, to see what could happend on the track !!!

SFonseca · 22 Nov 2002, 15:56 (Ref:434740)

I guess one or two privateers Audi aren't a good number.
I am seeing a Bentley total domination!!

Nordic · 22 Nov 2002, 16:13 (Ref:434747)

Last year the Bentley was about 17laps behind the winner and ran pretty much without problem, unless they find alot more pace next year then the private Audi(s) will run them very close, as would an updated Dome, MG, Panoz et al

SALEEN S7R · 22 Nov 2002, 16:25 (Ref:434754)

Dont forget ORECA - if they enter Le Mans next year. The Panoz Im not so sure about. What about the new Lister LMP? Has anyone seen the picture in this weeks AUTOSPORT of the new car? From what Ive seen the car looks pretty good areodynamically. Engine wise? Well who knows how the Mugen will do. Still we wont know how good the listers chances are until after Sebring...

SFonseca · 22 Nov 2002, 17:06 (Ref:434776)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
Dont forget ORECA - if they enter Le Mans next year.

If they enter Le Mans...IF...If Audi has confirmed that it will send a factory team, they would win Le Mans 24 Hours one more time. Oreca is far way to be confirmed.But it seems more and more that they won't race at LM next year... Not sure yet, but hopes are small.

**Aysedasi** · 22 Nov 2002, 18:08 (Ref:434810)

Well it'll come as no surprise to anyone that I'm delighted that the works Audi will not be returning to Le Mans. As has already been said, we will have one or more privateer R8s and that should be good enough for anyone. A Bentley walk-over - somehow I doubt it.

Speedworx · 22 Nov 2002, 19:13 (Ref:434872)

Finally, Le Mans 2003 looks to be a classic for the first time in 4 years.

rdjones · 22 Nov 2002, 19:58 (Ref:434892)

I am so upset at this news............................

NOT ! ! ! ! !

Russfeld · 22 Nov 2002, 22:57 (Ref:435048)

Who actually said it? I saw a really bad Autosport article quoting Paefgen from Autofocus. Assuming what he said is true, how does the Chairman of Bentley make the decisions and announcements of Audi Sport?

Im fairly certain factory funding is gone, but if Joest can find outside backing you can bet your bum the same guys that were there 99-02 will be back in 03, the colors will just be different

SALEEN S7R · 22 Nov 2002, 23:43 (Ref:435068)

Quote:

Originally posted by SFonseca
If they enter Le Mans...IF...If Audi has confirmed that it will send a factory team, they would win Le Mans 24 Hours one more time. Oreca is far way to be confirmed.But it seems more and more that they won't race at LM next year... Not sure yet, but hopes are small.

Where do u get ur information from? Ive not seen anything to suggest that they wont enter Le Mans next year, the CART assault now looks doubtful so I dont see any reason as to why they wont continue the assault. Oreca boss says he wants a factory deal, and I woudnt mind betting he gets one.

rdjones · 23 Nov 2002, 00:18 (Ref:435076)

Well I know it has been annoceded yet, but it did not come as a big shock did it really..............

SALEEN S7R · 23 Nov 2002, 00:23 (Ref:435080)

huh? Sorry was u responding to my post?

Speeddemon555 · 23 Nov 2002, 14:20 (Ref:435288)

It's sad not to see them not defending their LeMans title and not competing in the ALMS at all. It will be an open wide shot at the title next year. Bentley will have a bigger shot now than ever.

SALEEN S7R · 23 Nov 2002, 14:51 (Ref:435310)

It is sad, but maybe whilst Audi were there it was a turn off for perspective viewers, its the same as F1, nobody wants to watch a race when u know who is going to win before the start. Audi have dominated sportscars for the last 3 years the same way that Ferrari have dominated Formula one.

rdjones · 23 Nov 2002, 15:58 (Ref:435339)

Audi are gone - they have had amazing run in the last three years, look at Ford in the late 60's they won 4 in a row and moved on, these things happen............

SALEEN S7R · 23 Nov 2002, 16:02 (Ref:435341)

well amazing in the last 4. Just not dominate in the last 4 years dont forget they finished 3rd in Le Mans 99.

rdjones · 23 Nov 2002, 20:44 (Ref:435447)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
well amazing in the last 4. Just not dominate in the last 4 years dont forget they finished 3rd in Le Mans 99.

At the end of the day, the dession has been made by the VW borad, and IMO they have said that by winning Le Mans for the last 3 years has raised the profile of Audi worldwide and they want to give one of there other brands a higher profile (Bentley).

You also have to remember that Bentley are lanching a new car next year and win for them in the greatest motor race in the world will do them a lot of good. It is a marketing dession.

SALEEN S7R · 23 Nov 2002, 20:58 (Ref:435454)

I know, it wont be any use comparing lap times next year with the times from 2002 as the air restrictors will be in place reducing power by 10% which is a bit of a shame. The good news is though that they are going back to what they are in 2002 in 2004.

**Aysedasi** · 24 Nov 2002, 01:14 (Ref:435601)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
It is sad, but .....

Why? What's sad about it? They've had a fantastic run and there's absolutely nothing for them (or anyone else) to gain by them going back again. Far better to throw all their resources behind a Bentley victory.

SALEEN S7R · 24 Nov 2002, 01:37 (Ref:435605)

personally i dont agree, I mean as long as the keep coming back they are putting Audi into the spotlight and attracting potential customers. In that respect they have lots to gain. After all how many people buy Bentley in comparisson to Audis?

At the end of the day the manufacturers arent really in the races for the sport they are there because its good business. I mean thats just my personal viewpoint Im sure people wont agree but others might.

As for me saying it is sad, well lets look at the situation, Caddilac have just pulled out of ALMS and Le Mans, Audi have just pulled out, MG Might and I stress might come back with RML as a factory team, then again they might axe the entire project. Who is going to replace Audi and Caddilac? Porsche? Maybe but not for a while, Ford? doubtful. My point is at the moment there is a distinct lack of factory teams and a lot of "Le Mans specialiss."

Maybe im being too pesimistic. I just dont see the situation getting much better for the near future, at least not in the LMP classess.

rdjones · 24 Nov 2002, 09:56 (Ref:435673)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
personally i dont agree,...........

Well I competley agree with Ayse, The Audi borad have said we have good run at Le Mans in the last 4 years lets move on and do something else. IMO MG have said the same and Cadillac have pulled out due to a lack of finance, in Motor Sport manufactors go in to a series, stay for a few years and then move on, its life and these things happen...........

**Aysedasi** · 24 Nov 2002, 11:17 (Ref:435724)

Absolutely. Manufacturers come and go and as far as I'm concerned, their commercial interests mean little or nothing to me. Audi have absolutely dominated Le Mans for quite long enough. The disappearance of some manufacturers I will always mourn (everyone here knows what I think about Toyota pulling out after 1999) and it would now be lovely to see Porsce back, and even Ferrari. But Audi - no, what do we have to gain for Le Mans 2003 by Audi returning. Not a lot, IMHO.

SALEEN S7R · 24 Nov 2002, 11:42 (Ref:435732)

I agree that manufacturers come and go, although I do wonder why, take Ferrari in F1 for example. They have been in F1 for how long? They havent left the championship because being in F1 is good for business. Audi shoudnt have left sportscars in my opinion.

Where are they going to go now, F1? No Audi has already stated that it is too expensive in F1. So what else? CART? I cant picture Audi entering CART as it is at the moment. There is the DTM of course but then they already have Audi there.

I know times go on and people come and go, Im not blind to that. All Im saying is that in 2003 there will be a distinct lack of manufacturers. Particaualy in the LMP classess. Audi, if they did return for 2003, would have a lot to gain I belive, they would be in the spotlight once again worldwide on a world stage. Motor Racing is a magnet for potential customers.

Apart from F1 what racing series gets more attention worldwide than ALMS and Le Mans? Still I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one lol.

racer69 · 24 Nov 2002, 12:23 (Ref:435747)

I'm interested to see how the private R8s will go up against updated machinary next year.

It's a long race and anything can happen, i think this will be a very interesting race, of course though there is still a long time before the 2003 24 hours, so alot can happen

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