ALMS
The fastest circuit of the year, Mosport (Canada) plays host to the American Le Mans Series where Audi will have their first "match ball". Audi drivers, Dindo Capello and Allan McNish could wrap up the drivers' title early at the wheel of their Audi R10 TDI, at round eight of the ten race championship on Sunday 3 September. It would be the first time in motorsport history that drivers with a diesel sportscar have won an internationally acclaimed championship.
The two Audi drivers have a 42-point lead over the Lola drivers Butch Leitzinger and James Weaver. Capello and McNish need only score seven points more than their closest rivals they will enter the final two races at Road Atlanta (30 September) and Laguna Seca (21 October) with an unassailable lead.
Although the Audi R10 TDI remains unbeaten after four races in the American Le Mans Series, Capello and McNish face an uphill struggle. On one hand they must stave off the challenge from their team-mates Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, who have won two of the last three races. Furthermore their title rivals Leitzinger and Weaver have been given permission to race with a 65 kilogram lighter car and with a 5 litre larger fuel tank.
The revolutionary R10 TDI sportscar has not been beaten since its debut at Sebring in March. Fast circuits like Mosport, with an average speed of over 210 kph (130 mph), suit the new Audi particularly well. Audi Sport North America squad will do everything to continue the R10 TDI prototype's victory roll.
"Mosport is a very difficult circuit, on which the Dyson team has won twice in the last two years. The 65 kilogram weight difference between the R10 TDI and the Dyson-Lola should be considerably more apparent than last time at Road America. Also, with immediate effect, our competitors are allowed to run with five-litre larger fuel tanks. This means that it will be even tougher for us. In spite of this, and with one eye on the championship, we will attempt to score another good result," said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.
Round eight of the 2006 American Le Mans Series will start on Sunday 3 September at 3:00 p.m. local time.
DTM
The DTM title battle enters its decisive phase with only four races remaining before the winner of the most popular international touring car series this year will be named. Following his retirement at Brands Hatch and a brace of fifth place finishes at the Norisring and Nürburgring, Audi driver Tom Kristensen is twelve points behind championship leader Bernd Schneider (Mercedes). The next race at Zandvoort on 3 September is of particular importance for the Dane who drives for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline, who must do everything in his power to reduce the gap.
"Everybody at Audi Sport and the teams are fully motivated and are aiming to do everything possible in Zandvoort to ensure that the championship pendulum swings in our direction. We travel to Zandvoort with the aim of filling the podium with as many Audi drivers as possible and score maximum points. This is what we are working towards." Said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.
The race at Zandvoort is considered to be one of the absolute highlights of the year on the DTM calendar because of its unique location in the dunes, the demanding nature of circuit and the popular and friendly spectators. 77,000 fans came last year and, as a result, made Zandvoort the most successful DTM event outside Germany.
STCC
Audi driver, Thed Björk, extended his championship lead to twelve points following a win at the seventh round of the Swedish Touring Car Championship in Karlskoga on Sunday 27 August 2006.
Starting from pole position, the Swede struggled to maintain his lead during the opening stages of the race. However as the rain came down, and the majority of his rivals headed for the pits to switch to wet-weather tyres, Björk continued on slicks in his team KMS Motorsport Audi A4 and stayed in the lead. In the closing stages when the track had dried out slightly, Björk was able to increase his lead. The Swede celebrated his third victory of the season after winning in Knutstorp and Falkenberg.