#2 AUDI R8 DBA CHAMPION RACING

J-J Lehto (SF)

Marco Werner (D)

Emanuele Pirro (I)

RACE FACTS - Having been absent at the Monza 1,000-kms, the #2 Audi starts from rank 6 as one of the four top favourites. Shortly after the start the four Audis are grouped, setting the pace, with J-J Lehto in third position. Just before the end of the second hour J.J. Lehto and Allan McNish (in the #8 Audi Veloqx) go off at the entrance of the Porsche Curves. Both cars hit the tire wall and Lehto collides the McNish Audi into the rear. Later it becomes obvious that both cars were victim of non signaled oil on the track. Both cars are towed backwards. The damage on the #2 is far less than on the British car. Repairs will cost nearly one full hour, dropping the car into 41st postion! At midnight the car is already back in seventh position, headen by the two fitst GTS cars, and nine laps down to the leading #88 Audi R8 Veloqx. During the following hour the car passes both slower GTS cars and moves into fifth position. Approaching 01.00h J-J Lehto sets the fastest lap of the race in 3'36"060: This compares very well with Johnny Herbert's 3'35"529 in the second placed Bentley last year, and is faster than the winning Bentley's best. At mid-race the difference with the #88 Audi R8 (leading the race) is always nine laps. A sharp fight with the Dallara, early in the morning, is won by the Champion Audi, being now fourth, always nine laps down.
At just about 08.00, Pirro goes straight on at Mulsanne Corner, burying the Champion R8 in the gravel. He's pulled out, pours gravel all over the place on the way to Indianapolis, and pits for Lehto to take over for a charge. The Finn sets the car's best lap of the race, a 3'35"419, as he attempts to close a two lap margin to the #18 Pescarolo car ahead. After 18 hours of racing the car is third, always nine laps down. During the six last hours the car maintains its third position. Eventually J-J Lehto brings the car home eleven laps down to the winner.