Climatic wind tunnel helps Audi at Le Mans

Climatic wind tunnel helps Audi at Le Mans

• Only three weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• New Audi R18 TDI tested extensively in climatic wind tunnel
• Valuable findings for cockpit, windscreen and windscreen wiper

Ingolstadt, May 19, 2011 – Premiere for Audi Sport: the Audi R18 TDI, with
which Audi Sport Team Joest contests the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11/12, is
the first Audi race car to be developed with the aid of the new climatic wind
tunnel.
Since the beginning of 2008 the climatic wind tunnel completes the Audi Wind
Tunnel Center in Ingolstadt. It creates temperatures between minus 25 and plus 55
degrees Celsius and allows engineers to generate freezing cold and blisteringly hot
wind speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The simulation of sunlight and rain
are also possible.
Especially for the Audi R18 TDI, the opportunity to use the climatic wind tunnel
operated by their production colleagues was extremely valuable for the Audi Sport
technicians. The new LMP1 is Audi’s first closed Le Mans sports car since the R8C in
1999. “The climatic wind tunnel is an example of the extensive cooperation with
Technical Development (TE),” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at
Audi Sport. “The TE develops constantly and as part of TE Audi Sport is allowed to
use these resources. Conversely, our colleagues from production development
benefit from our findings from motorsport.”
Work on the R18 TDI in the climatic wind tunnel focused on three areas: optimized
airflow through the cockpit, the windscreen and testing the windscreen wiper. “In
this case we can rely on the findings from the climatic wind tunnel – it’s a great
benefit to have such an extremely high quality tool available,” says Christopher
Reinke, Technical Project Leader for the R18 TDI. “The results of everything which
we have tested in the climatic wind tunnel up to now have been confirmed during
testing on the race track.”


In the climatic wind tunnel ventilation of the closed cockpit was optimized to such
an extent that the R18 TDI will manage without air-conditioning at Le Mans. As this
costs both weight and power the engineers were happy to exclude the use of such a
system. The deposit of rain water or solid materials such as sand, rubber pick-up and
stones was also simulated. “We made many valuable discoveries in this area on the
full scale car in the climatic wind tunnel and modified several things and especially
in the airflow area,” says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier. “The reflective film on the roof was
also validated with findings from the climatic wind tunnel. These are all important
details to guarantee a good climate around the driver in the cockpit.”
The silver film helps to prevent the cockpit heating up too much due to the solar
radiation. The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) regulations stipulate that the
cockpit temperature must not exceed 32 degrees Celsius when driving if the
maximum ambient temperature is 25 degrees. If it is warmer the cockpit
temperature may climb by a maximum of seven degrees. The R18 TDI complies with
these strict requirements thanks to extensive work in the climatic wind tunnel.
The new Le Mans sports car’s single-arm windscreen wiper was also developed in the
Audi Wind Tunnel Center. “This subject is not as trivial as it would perhaps appear,”
says Dr. Martin Mühlmeier. “We do indeed have experience from the DTM. However,
the windscreen wiper is hardly ever used here. Also, a DTM car reaches 250 km/h and
not 330. The demands on the windscreen wiper are considerably higher at Le Mans.”
Fogging and soiling of the complexly formed windscreen which, in contrast to a
production car, is curved in not just one direction but two, is manufactured from
plastic and was also tested in the climatic wind tunnel. The screen is heated to
prevent fogging. For possible soiling a three-stage plan was developed which,
subject to the level of soiling, allows for simple wiping, wiping with detergent or the
removal of one of several layers of rip-off films.
Windscreen soiling is one of the concept specific disadvantages which a closed Le
Mans sports car brings. However, as a result of work in the Audi climatic wind tunnel
the disadvantages were minimized as much as possible.
Audi Communications Sport/acreditated media press.

24 Hour Le Mans: Audi to the power of 25.

The German carmaker has been the king of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since the early 2000s with twenty-five successes achieved in La Sarthe divided between its different cars and the three driver crews who will drive the new R18 on the 11th and 12th June.

First there was the R8, a pioneer and winner in 2000-2001-2002-2004-2005. The R10 TDI succeeded it with three victories in 2006-2007-2008, and became the first to win the 24 hours with a diesel engine. In 2010 Audi won again with the R15 TDI Plus having covered 5410 km, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller beat the distance record, held since 1971 by the Porsche 917 of Gijs van Lennep and Helmut Marko. That makes nine wins.

For he trio of drivers who won in 2010 in the R15+ #1, it was their first victory at the 24 Hours, but in the number #3 there were three drivers with an impressive record; eight wins for Tom Kristensen, three for Dindo Capello and two for Allan McNish. Never in the history of Le Mans has a trio of drivers with such a record driven the same car. That brings us to our total of 25 victories.

Marcel Fässler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer in the R18 #2 have never won in La Sarthe, but they showed a good burst of speed at 1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps. The three Audi driver teams will each have good reasons for wanting to win this year in La Sarthe. The saga of the German Le Mans is far from over: a great sporting rivalry and new records undoubtedly lie ahead for the greater glory of the legendary 24 Hours ...

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo : Dominique BREUGNOT - ACO/Nikon

ACO/ lemans.org/acreditated media press.

Photo: SPA-Francorchamps (Belgium), 1000 KM OF SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, May 7, 2011. Third behind the Peugeot 908, the "old masters" Capello / Kristensen / McNish (44 years average age). We have probably not heard the last word from them at Le Mans

Audi relying on ultra lightweight technology for Le Mans

Audi relying on ultra lightweight technology
for Le Mans

• Only seven weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Company’s lightweight technology expertise is visible
• Audi R18 TDI with innovative detail design solutions

Ingolstadt, April 21, 2011 – Lightweight design expertise expressed visually: This
is the principle under which Audi enters the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans this year.
The three Audi R18 TDI cars, which join the grid for the French endurance classic
on June 11/12 and which make their first public appearance over the Easter
weekend at the Le Mans test day, perfectly embodies – also visually – Audi’s core
expertise in lightweight technology.
The livery of the three Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 TDI cars is dominated by
puristic carbon fiber. The car of last year’s Le Mans winners carrying start number
“1” even runs in the characteristic black of the extremely light and, at the same
time, high-strength material, which also plays an increasingly important role in the
development of new production cars.
“Carbon fiber is ideally suited for lightweight design and construction,” explains
Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We have deliberately made this
material and the ultra lightweight technology visual for Le Mans. Lightweight design
has occupied us for many years in motorsport. Everything that we have learnt over
the years and especially about lightweight design and construction during
development of the R18 TDI will also be available for our customers in the future –
either in the form of greater performance or in the shape of low fuel consumption
and lower emissions.”
The R18 TDI is a particularly authentic ambassador for the company’s lightweight
technology which will be bundled by the term ‘ultra’ in the future. “Lightweight
design is a very important factor at Le Mans because a light car is also always a more
efficient car,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. This year, it is of even greater significance
since the regulations stipulate smaller engines producing less power – for the Audi
R18 TDI this means over 540 hp (397 kW).
Although there is a minimum weight of 900 kilograms for LMP1 cars at Le Mans, the
target is to produce a car weighing significantly less than this limit in order to
optimize the weight distribution with the help of ballast and to lower the center of
gravity as much as possible.

“With the R18 TDI every component was optimized logically with regard to weight,”
stresses Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The same applied to
the chassis and the bodywork, the gearbox and the engine. We scoured the car for
every superfluous gram.”

The carbon monocoque produced in a single-piece, for which a highly complex
manufacturing process was developed and which is an impressive proof of the
company’s lightweight design expertise, is not only revolutionary for a Le Mans
sports car. The same applies for the bodywork which was lightened by 40 kilograms
between the first and second version. “Such a consequent lightweight design is a
high technical challenge,” says Christopher Reinke, Technical Project Leader at Audi
Sport.

The V6 TDI engine in the R18 TDI is about 25 percent lighter than the V10 TDI
engine in its predecessor. “On one hand through downsizing, but also to a certain
extent because we explored completely new directions and chose an unusual engine
concept,” explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport.
The new six-speed gearbox, which has a high amount of carbon-fiber composite
material, and the complete LED headlights also help to save weight. It was also
possible to omit the electric cooling of the light-emitting diodes in the headlights
commonly found in production cars. Because the gearshift is no longer activated
pneumatically but rather electrically, the R18 TDI requires no more pneumatic
system. Optimized airflow through the cockpit should make air-conditioning
redundant.

“The Audi R18 TDI is equipped with many innovative solutions,” says Head of Audi
Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich proudly. “It was built for regulations specifically
targeting future technologies – and with the background enabling these
technologies to be introduced into road going cars in the future. This is what makes
sport prototypes so interesting for Audi. That we will now see the first impact of
Audi ultra lightweight technology at Le Mans demonstrates just how motorsport

and production line development go hand in hand at Audi. I’m convinced that ultra
will be mentioned in one breath with terms like quattro or TDI in a few years.”

Audi Communications Motorsport

Hallyday/Prémat/Kraihamer behind the wheel of the ORECA 03!

Hallyday/Prémat/Kraihamer behind the wheel of the ORECA 03!

19.04.2011

Winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, Team ORECA-Matmut will also be at the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2. The team will enter an ORECA 03 powered by Nissan for David Hallyday, Alexandre Prémat and young talent Dominik Kraihamer.

David Hallyday returns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

David Hallyday has been defending ORECA’s colours for several seasons already. After a few appearances in 2009, he competed in full the French GT Championship in 2010 with Hugues de Chaunac’s team – finishing third in drivers points. “Last year, I felt privileged to be driving for such a team,” explains David. “I learned a lot and I’m very happy to continue the adventure. On one side, their method of working is very professional. On the other, the atmosphere is like a family. ORECA is a bit ‘Made in USA.’ That’s also how I work: it’s everything I like!”

The Frenchman will be competing in his fourth twice around the clock classic in la Sarthe. “It’s a race that is unique and one that you have to go into with a certain amount of wisdom. To do so with Team ORECA-Matmut, is knowing that you’ll have a perfectly prepared car. ORECA is a factory.” David Hallyday will be making his return in prototypes, at the controls of the ORECA 03. He first discovered the car in February during a test session at the Circuit Paul Ricard HTTT. “The ORECA 03 took me by surprise,” he admitted after the first few laps. “She doesn’t have any faults. Firstly, I had to get my marks and gain confidence. And I started at night: that’s a bit different! The learning curve went well. I must say the car is so good that it encourages progress. The more you drive, the quicker you get…and the more you want to drive!”

Alexandre Prémat, the leader of the pack…

After four years with Audi as an official driver, Alexandre Prémat will also be making his return to Le Mans. “I’m very happy be returning to the 24 Hours, an event that is very difficult for man – both drivers and mechanics – and for machine. The goal is clear: win the LMP2 class! We have the potential. The team has the ability to shine in LMP1 and LMP2.”

With such experience in the top class – he was 2008 Le Mans Series champion – Alexandre will logically take the role of team leader. Team ORECA-Matmut will also count on the Frenchman’s speed, who has succeeded in prestigious F3 events (Macau and Zandvoort) and holds three victories in GP2 in addition to his three podiums in DTM.

“After several discussions with them, I’m thrilled to be involved with a team such as ORECA,” notes Alexandre. “It’s an important team: for me there are Audi, Peugeot and ORECA. I’m excited to work with the technicians! I’ve only heard good things about the ORECA 03. With Michelin tyres and the lap times already posted by customer teams since the start of the season, everything is in place. I can’t wait to discover the car.”

Dominik Kraihamer, from Formula Le Mans to Le Mans…

The French tandem will be joined by Dominik Kraihamer, only 21 years old. Team ORECA-Matmut is continuing its goal of promoting new talents. The Austrian driver first discovered sportscar racing through Formula Le Mans, a series serving as a stepping stone to high categories as designed. He competed in the single-make class in 2009 and 2010, where he showed well, before making his debut in LMP2 this season behind the wheel of an ORECA 03 with Boutsen Energy Racing.

“Every driver dreams of having such an opportunity,” said Dominik. “I’m young and I don’t have an enormous amount of experience, but Team ORECA-Matmut is giving me an incredible chance. It’s a top team and I know I’m in good hands with a team that has but one goal: win!”

The young driver has already driven on the Circuit de la Sarthe when FLM visited in 2009, but this will be his first 24 Hours. “It’s my favourite track. There are a lot of different sections and the sensations are really impressive. I’m not putting any specific pressure on myself: I know I’ll have to be consistent and avoid mistakes. I want to do good work, just as I do everytime I’m on track. Having run in Formula Le Mans taught me quite a lot, both in terms of driving and the technical side of things. It was the perfect preparation before driving the ORECA 03, which is a very good car. The aero is incredible and the cornering speed is exceptional. It goes very fast! I can’t wait to drive it at Le Mans!”

David Hallyday and Alexandre Prémat each have three Le Mans participations under their belts while Dominik Kraihamer will be the ‘rookie’ at la Sarthe. The three men will share the No. 48 ORECA 03 during the Test Day. David Hallyday will only drive in the morning session, before flying to Nogaro where he will race in the second round of the GT Tour.

INFO: Oreca The Motorsport Company.

Le Mans 24 hours: 55 cars for the test day

After a 2-year break, the Le Mans 24-Hours test day is back on the calendar and will take place on Sunday 24th April 2011. Fifty-five entries have been sent in to the ACO for this free practice session.

For economic reasons, the free practice session was not held in 2009 and 2010. Between 2005 and 2008, it usually took place shortly before the Le Mans 24 Hours. One has to go back to 2004 to find a date in April similar to that of 2011, and its return to the calendar has been motivated by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s on-going quest to improve safety. The introduction of a new set of regulations has led to the construction of many new cars, so it is vitally important to allow them and their drivers to get to grips with the constraints imposed by a circuit unlike any other in the world. In addition, thanks to the fact of bringing the test forward (almost two months before the race on 11th-12th June 2011), teams will have enough time to carry out in-depth modifications to their cars if necessary.

Participation in the test day isn’t obligatory except for teams and drivers who have never raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours, or in the case of the latter if they have not started the race in the last three years.

The test day is open to 76 cars maximum and the club has received fifty-five requests. Nonetheless, the organizers reserve themselves the right to accept further entries should the case arise. Opening up the test day to all cars complying with the regulations will enable the reserves (in case of withdrawal of those selected for the Le Mans 24 Hours), and other teams that have not entered to discover this exceptional circuit that is generally used only once a year. The Italian team, Mik Corse – which is not competing in the 24 Hours – is coming specially to test a hybrid-engined Zytek. American squad, Level 5 Motorsports, will bring along two cars although only one has been accepted for the race, and TDS racing will also use this exceptional opportunity to shakedown its LM P2 Oreca-Nissan, etc.

Peugeot will take advantage of the test day to give its eagerly-awaited 908 Hybrid 4 its debut, although it will not race in the 24 Hours (on the list of entries attached, it replaces one of the three works 908s). It will be very interesting to compare its performance with those of the other 908s (including the Oreca-entered 2010 908 HDi FAP), and with the brand-new Audi R18s, which will make their official debut as will the innovative Aston Martin AMR-ONEs.

Finally, three Formula Le Mans, the prototypes that enable teams and drivers to get a foothold in long-distance racing during specific meetings, will also take to this mythic circuit on 24th April, proof of the ACO’s attachment to this promotional formula for endurance that is unique in the world.

Vincent Beaumesnil, ACO Sports Manager: “We’re delighted that fifty-five cars will be taking part in the test day that’s back on the calendar in a new format. It’s a very encouraging number, which shows the undeniable need to organize this extraordinary free practice session before the Le Mans 24 Hours”

Practical information
Le Mans 24-Hours test day

Scrutineering will take place on Saturday 23rd April: 09h00-13h00 and 14h00-18h00 at the Le Mans 24-Hours circuit.
Two test sessions are scheduled on Sunday 24th April: 09h00-13h00 and 14h00-18h00 on the big Le Mans circuit.
The test day is open to the public.

Ticket price: 10 euros for the test day itself
(Only for sale on the circuit)

Official Info: Aco.