| December 31, 2000
Crocodile Audi Wins the Race of a Thousand Years
Adelaide, Australia -- The "race of a thousand years" lived up to its name:
Spectacular action on the difficult street circuit in Adelaide and ultimately
a dominant victory for the Audi R8 sporting a crocodile design turned the
final of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in front of about 150,000
spectators into a real highlight of the season. After a turbulent 5:45 hours,
Rinaldo Capello and Allan McNish won with a margin of 21 laps. The companion
Audi R8 of Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro achieved sixth place in the
prototype category following a crash.
The path to the sixth win of the season for the Scottish-Italian duo was
harder than ever before and started off with the first moment of panic on
Friday afternoon. Right after the first practice, Allan McNish suffering from
a severe back-ache, had to undergo medical treatment and rest extensively on
Saturday. As the Scotsman's race participation was uncertain, Audi Sport
North America nominated Australian Brad Jones as an additional driver and
support for the number 77 Audi R8.
The next incident, a crash during the last lap of the warm-up on Sunday
morning even endangered the start of the "crocodile" Audi. But Team Audi
Sport North America repaired the badly damaged car in record time making it
possible to get on the grid just in time.
Furthermore Allan McNish surprised the fans with a great comeback in the
afternoon. The Scotsman gritted his teeth, started the race, drove the
fastest lap of the race and after 77 laps handed the Audi R8 over to teammate
Rinaldo Capello with a comfortable lead. Together Capello and McNish extended
the lead and crowned their successful season with another victory. At the
same time Allan McNish secured the drivers championship in the American Le
Mans Series.
The drivers of the companion Audi R8 will never forget this race "Down Under"
which finished only two hours before New Year's Eve. After Emanuele Pirro
touched a wall after three hours when lapping slower cars the race seemed to
be over for Le Mans winners Biela and Pirro. But the crew of Reinhold Joest
didn't give up: Pirro drove the damaged car back to the pits where the team
changed the rear end, front diffusor, and front suspension of the 610 hp
sportscar. Accompanied by cheers from the crowd Frank Biela went back on the
track and with sixth position in the prototype category secured further
championship points.
Quotes after the race:
Rinaldo Capello (#77): "This morning things didn't look very good. We didn't
know whether Allan would be able to drive and after the crash during the
warm-up I was really afraid the car could not be repaired in time. But
luckily the monocoque was not damaged so we were able to race. This race in
front of all the fans was great. You can only compare it with Le Mans."
Allan McNish (#77): "This is definitely not what I expected before I arrived
in Adelaide. The problem with my back ruled me out of the weekend. But Dindo
set up the car perfectly and even put it on pole position. And with the help
of our doctor and the whole team we were able to come away with a victory.
This shows that our team keeps fighting and coming back even when things look
black."
Brad Jones (#77): "It was a great opportunity to drive the car this morning
and yesterday afternoon and I am very happy about that. Allan and Dindo did a
fantastic job to win. It would have been nice to drive the car in the race,
but it was clear that I was here just in case Allan was too bad."
Frank Biela (#78): "From the start of the race my car suffered from strong
understeer. Later I had contact with a Porsche, which damaged the front
suspension. This, however, was no real problem compared to the understeer
and, of course, the fact that after the accident we parked for about one
hour. In the end I tried to get the point for the fastest lap in the
darkness, but I did not get a clear lap."
Emanuele Pirro (#78): "I expected a lot from this race and I am quite
disappointed. It was a difficult end of the year for me with some bad luck
and a few mistakes. The accident happened when I was lapping another car. I
was forced on to the outside where the track was very dirty and I just
crashed. Fortunately, the other Audi R8 won the race which is good for the
team."
Reinhold Joest, Team Director Audi Sport North America: "It was a very
exciting weekend. I am happy that it ended so well for us and the crocodile
has won here in Australia. I think people will remember this design for a
very long time. And the race in Adelaide is an enrichment for sportscar
racing."
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport: "Before the race there were a lot of
bad omens. But with a strong will and good work, the team made up for
everything, no matter where it came from. I'm very happy that we managed to
do so. For sure I will never forget this New Year's Eve."
Len Hunt, head of Audi Sport North America: "What a way to end the season!
The team did an excellent job repairing the number 77 car in time for the
race and another excellent effort was put forth to return the 78 car to the
track after their crash. Allan McNish deserved to have the driver's
championship after his problems this weekend. This caps off a dream year for
Audi."
Race results:
1. Capello/McNish (Audi R8) 225 laps Audi 2000 ALMS Season:
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