The Le Mans 24 Hours are in 29 days: Audi is working hard to be ready for the hardest endurance race in the world as it goes for its 14th victory. The company has won the competition 13 times since 2000. For the first time, Audi has gathered all of its Le Mans-winning cars together for a group portrait this year. Each and every one of them exemplifies “Vorsprung durch Technik.”
The Audi R8 in 2000 marked the start of the winning streak. “We began the 2000 season with a completely new design after a year of learning and gaining experience at Le Mans, according to Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “We succeeded in building a well-balanced car, balancing the weight distribution with cooling, the suspension, aerodynamics, and many other factors. Additionally, Audi Sport Team Joest received a race car that the mechanics are still raving about today, as did the brand’s customer teams after that. It had a strong and straightforward modular construction that allowed for easy repairs. Audi created a particularly clever modular solution: a rear end made up of the transmission and the rear axle that could be swapped out in a matter of minutes using quick-release fasteners. This was done because the transmission of LMP race cars is subject to significant stress and was at the time considered to be a vulnerable assembly.
FSI technology was a significant advancement in the powertrain in 2001. Direct gasoline injection was soon implemented in Audi’s production models, which reduced emissions and improved response in race cars. Tom Kristensen, aka “Mr. Le Mans,” was a driver in each of the five Le Mans victories the R8 claimed between 2000 and 2005.
Audi started a technical revolution in 2006. The first diesel-powered Le Mans winner was the R10 TDI. Since then, only diesel-powered LMP race cars, including eight Audis, have won the classic race at La Sarthe. “According to Dr. Ullrich, the aim was to create a diesel engine with more than 650 horsepower for racing. This V12 unit’s integration into an LMP race vehicle presented an equally difficult problem. High demands were placed on the engineers by factors including weight, axle loads, and cooling needs in a racing category with exceptionally delicate aerodynamics. Since 2006, the R10 TDI has won three races in a row at Le Mans.
A accomplishment associated with the R15 TDI has persisted up to this day. The 39-year-old distance record was broken at La Sarthe in 2010 by a race car powered by a V10 TDI engine and an onboard lithium-ion battery. The Audi R18 TDI made its debut a year later. It too gained popularity right away. “According to Dr. Ullrich, this closed-wheel race car signaled the start of a new era for Audi at Le Mans. “The restrictions mandated that we decrease the engine’s cubic capacity from 5.5 to 3.7 liters. As a result, the closed race car’s aerodynamic performance gained even more significance when all the contributing factors were taken into account. Although the race car had less power than its predecessor and plainly used less gasoline, the enhanced aerodynamics helped increase lap times.
Since then, despite the fact that they have incorporated ever-new model generations, all Audi LMP1 race cars have been referred to as “R18.” The next significant development was the brand’s first hybrid sports car, the 2012 R18 e-tron quattro. As the first winner with a hybrid powertrain, Audi established the subsequent benchmark at Le Mans and won again in 2013 with a greatly improved version of same vehicle. The front axle was propelled by a hybrid system, while the rear axle was propelled by a V6 TDI engine. The entire control system was electronic. “Dr. Ullrich claims that Audi has never before created a race car of this complexity. Only one year later, the most significant revision to the rules to date was made, limiting the quantity of gasoline and hybrid energy that each LMP1 race car may use per lap. As a result, Audi created the fundamentally new and much more effective R18 e-tron quattro. It consumed 22% less gasoline than its predecessor while being faster and winning the race in 2014. It is difficult to think of a greater example of “Vorsprung durch Technik.”
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Which brand has won the most Le Mans races?
Porsche is undoubtedly the finest Le Mans constructor of all time, and it would be difficult to contest that. In addition to having the most overall victories of any team, it has also built some of the best sports vehicles and won numerous class championships.
The 356 won its class when the German company made its debut at the 24 Hours in 1951, and it quickly rose to prominence among manufacturers of smaller engines by outperforming expectations. Porsche won the 1500cc class in 1955 and finished 4-5-6 overall with the 550 RS Spyder, while the 718 RSK earned the first-ever outright podium finish in 1958.
That pattern persisted into the 1960s, but new rules for 1968 ought to have favored Porsche. The outdated JW Automotive Engineering Gulf Ford GT40s won the championship and Le Mans that year, defeating it both times. Even though Porsche lost at Le Mans to Jacky Ickx’s thrilling victory over Hans Herrmann, the 908 remained the vehicle to beat in 1969.
When it was finished, Porsche’s powerful 917 set the standard for sportscar racing, and Richard Attwood and Herrmann used it to win the 1970 Le Mans race in excruciatingly wet conditions.
The 917 repeated the feat the following year, setting a record for the longest run that stood until 2010 until being forbidden.
Before the 936 became the first turbocharged vehicle to win Le Mans in 1976, Porsche momentarily took a backseat while continuing to fill the GT classes. The Kremer-developed 935 K3 stepped up in 1979 after the sports-prototypes failed, although the 936 would win again in 1977 and 1981.
In 1981, Bell and Ickx rode out of the museum in a Porsche 936 equipped with engines that were originally designed for the company’s dormant IndyCar program.
BMW has won how many Le Mans races?
In the 236-lap 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans, the BMW 328 finished first in its class and fifth overall.
In 1972, Schnitzer Motorsport entered the BMW 2800CS in the race for the first time in 33 years. The McLaren F1 GTR, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 with a BMW S70 6.1L V12 engine, was the most successful BMW team in the following years. BMW was represented by private teams who raced BMW race cars in the competition from 1972 through 1989, and from 1993 until 2000.
BMW Motorsport also had its beginnings with the BMW 3.0 CSL, BMW 3.5 CSL, BMW M1, McLaren F1 GTR, BMW V12 LM, and BMW V12 LMR in 1973, 1980, and 1981, respectively. The latter vehicle, created by Williams Grand Prix Engineering and entered by Schnitzer Motorsport, defeated factory opposition from Audi, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and other automakers to claim overall victory in the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Le Mans Series of America
Three GT Team Championships and GT Automobile Manufacturer crowns have been won by BMW (in 2001, 2010, and 2011). Once (2001) with the BMW Motorsport team driving the V8-powered M3 GTR, and again (2010, 2011) with Team RLL driving the Crowne Plaza M3 GT coupe.
Audi won Le Mans back when?
Rupert Stadler, the company’s chairman, made the announcement to Audi’s motorsports division earlier on Wednesday morning. “We’re going to compete in the fight for electric power in the future. As the technology forerunners of Audi, our motorsport vehicles must become even more electric as our production vehicles become more and more electric “said he.
The previous 15 years have seen tremendous success for Audi’s endurance racing program. It won Le Mans in 2000, then again in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. It was first entered in the race in 1999. Between 2000 and 2008, Audi also won two World Endurance Crowns and nine American Le Mans Series championships.
Ferrari F2004
For the 2004 Formula One season, Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn, and Aldo Costa created the incredibly successful Ferrari F2004. The F2004, which was heavily based on the F2003-GA from the previous season, continued the winning streak the team had started in 1999 by winning the team’s sixth consecutive constructors’ championship and Michael Schumacher’s fifth consecutive drivers’ championship, giving him his seventh overall world driving championship. It is among the most dominant vehicles in Formula One history.
Lotus 72
Halfway through the 1970 campaign, the car made its debut, being driven by John Miles and Jochen Rindt. The Lotus 77 took the place of the 72 for the 1976 season after 20 victories, two drivers’ and three constructors’ titles, and retirement of the 72.
Subaru Impreza
driven by Petter Solberg, Richard Burns, and several legendary rally drivers like Colin McRae. The Impreza demonstrated its superiority in the rallying scene. The Impreza won three manufacturer and three driver championships between 1995 and 2003.
Citroen Xsara
The Xsara won three manufacturer and three driver championships between 2003 and 2006. Sbastien Loeb won the first three of his nine driver championships in this vehicle as well.
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica competed against the Lancia Delta from 1990 to 1994 to overtake it as the rally king. The Celica GT-Four and Celica Turbo 4WD won four driver championships and two manufacturer titles over the course of these five seasons.
Citroen C4 WRC
Sbastien Loeb was the driver of this vehicle. Because of the excellent relationship between the driver and the vehicle, the C4 won four driver championships and three manufacturer championships.
Lancia Delta
Lancia proved that they were in the greatest position to benefit from the rule revisions once Group B cars were outlawed after the 1986 season. Competitors either lacked adequate power, like the Mazda 323, or had 2WD restrictions, such the BMW M3. Between 1987 and 1992, the 2.0L turbocharged Lancia dominated the WRC by winning four driver and six manufacturer titles using the Delta HF and Delta Integrale.
Mini Cooper
The original Austin Mini’s designer never meant for the vehicle to be anything other than a people’s vehicle, but by the end of the 1960s, the vehicle had developed into a world-class race vehicle. Paddy Hopkirk drove the vehicle to victory in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967. If not for a severe disqualification for using an unauthorized headlamp in 1966, the vehicle would have won all three categories. The Cooper is one of a select few vehicles to have had success on the track and through the trees, winning the BTCC title in 1962.
Audi Quattro A1 (Group B)
This vehicle is a true “game-changer” in the annals of rallying. The World Rally Championship was the first to use four-wheel drive, a straightforward but crucial technology that has persisted ever since. In 1981, the factory rally team, driven by Finn Hannu Mikkola, entered the World Rally Championship. Racing Quattros experienced severe teething issues in the beginning, but in 1982, Audi won nine WRC races and the manufacturer’s title. Mikkola won the driver’s title in 1983.
to 1954 Hudson Hornet
The Hudson was able to beat its flathead six-cylinder engine’s constraints because to its low-slung chassis, comparatively light weight, and superb handling. And Teague demonstrated that it could in 1951 by easily winning the 39-lap race on the Daytona Beach mixed sand and road layout.
Dodge Charger Daytona and 1970 Plymouth Superbird
At the time, Dodge made an effort to make their race vehicles more aerodynamic. Dodge therefore took the Charger 500 in the middle of 1969 and added a long, shark-like nose and a 23-inch-high wing to its tail. The end result was the Charger Daytona, a vehicle that could go at 200 mph while maintaining stability. In reality, Buddy Baker in the 426 Hemi-powered No. 88 Daytona set a record for the fastest lap at Talladega during testing on March 24, 1970. On the strength of that achievement, Chrysler developed the 1970 Superbird by applying the Daytona formula to the Plymouth Road Runner in 1970. And Pete Hamilton, who was driving the No. 40 Petty Enterprises vehicle, helped the Superbird win its inaugural race at the 1970 Daytona 500.
to 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Its design is similar to that of the 1987 Ford Thunderbird, which may have been the closest thing to the ideal shape ever created for NASCAR racing. It has front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive and a V6 engine instead of a V8. The rainbow-hued Monte Carlo from 1995 to 1999 will always be regarded by many fans as the ideal Jeff Gordon race vehicle.
Ford GT40
The Le Mans victory of the Ford GT40 is indelible in history. The reason for the car’s four consecutive victories at the illustrious endurance race between 1966 and 1969 most impresses. Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari had been negotiating for months to buy the Italian automaker when Ferrari abruptly called off the agreement. Ford was so furious that he told his racing team to create a vehicle that could easily defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. Henry’s ambition was realized thanks to a Lola chassis and a 4.7-liter Ford V8, as his team won the Le Mans 24 Hours four years in a row.
Audi R8 (LMP)
With an astounding five victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours between 2000 and 2006, the Audi R8 is without a doubt the most successful racing vehicle of the twenty-first century. In actuality, 2003 was the only time the R8 came in last throughout that time. The R8 was the benchmark for LMP1 competition before 2003; it was a car that was so speedy that the authorities had to continuously restrain it by reducing the 3.6-litre V8’s power output during the annual sports car season. Tom Kristensen, or “Mr. Le Mans,” had assistance from the R8 on his way to five of his nine career victories at Le Sarthe.
Ferrari 250 GTO
The Ferrari 250 GTO was not only once the most expensive car in the world, but it was also one of the best in racing. It went on to become the final front-mounted engine sports car to win the top-level International Championship for GT Manufacturers three years in a row. The 250 GTO has gained the reputation it deserves for being beautiful, prosperous, and exclusive.
Audi R18
Audi, which has recorded all 13 of its triumphs since 2000 and is close to surpassing Porsche’s record of 16 victories, is the only manufacturer to have dominated the event in recent years. The R18 made its dbut in 2011 and won every race up until 2014, making it one of the most successful cars in Le Mans history.
Mclaren F1 GTR
It was never meant to be used for racing. Once the race-focused F1 GTR was created as a result of pressure from customers and racing teams, McLaren opted to enter its road vehicle in racing in 1995. F1 GTRs dominated the 1995 Le Mans, capturing first place overall, third, fourth, fifth, and thirteenth. Although Porsche finished first, second, and third in 1996, McLaren still had five F1s place in the top 10. The F1 received a fresh set of aerodynamic modifications and expanded bodywork behind the rear wheels in 1997, the final year of production (and McLaren’s final Le Mans), earning it the nickname “Long Tail F1s.” Behind Porsche, Long Tails came in second and third overall.
Porsche 917
Le Mans had never seen a company dominate the event quite like Porsche, which piled up 16 victories between 1970 and 1998, even though Audi is currently on a remarkable winning streak.
Porsche 956
Norbert Singer created the Porsche 956 in 1982 as a Group C sports-prototype racing vehicle for the FIA World Sportscar Championship. In 1984, it had an upgrade to become the 956B. This car, driven by Stefan Bellof in 1983, set the record for the fastest car to ever complete a lap of the Nordschleife at the Nurburgring. It did it in 6:11.13 to qualify for the 1000km Sports Car event.
Ferrari 250 LM
Ferrari’s entries were as spectacular as they were powerful, capturing first place in every competition between 1960 and 1965.
Jaguar won the championship five times between 1951 and 1957, a feat not accomplished since Bentley dominated in the 1920s.
Ford Sierra
The RS500 achieved too much success for its own good in 1989. Due to the enormous increase in power, Ford had an almost insurmountable lead over their competitors in the competitive arena of European Touring Cars.
Mercedes 190
Mercedes dropped the ban on competitive racing, set up factory-supported DTM teams, and created a larger 2.5-liter engine. The progress of each company’s street cars was eventually marketed to the general public, allowing for the same advancements to be brought to the racing vehicles. Too late and too little. With 48 DTM victories to the Mercedes’ 42, the M3 emerged as the clear winner. However, nobody else followed closely behind.
BMW E30 M3
The BMW E30 M3 Race Car was both the world’s best and most successful application of Group A regulations. It was savage in Europe, winning the Italian, German, British, and French Touring Car Championships as well as the first World Touring Car Championship in 1987 under Roberto Ravaglia’s control with its underpowered 300bhp S14 2.3-liter engine.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)
Its origin in Japan and its rival killing prowess are the only reasons it goes by the name “Godzilla.” Possibly the worst Touring vehicle ever is the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32. It won 29 races out of 29 starts over the course of seasons at home in Japan, where it also dominated the 1991 Spa 24 Hours and won three Australian Group A championships (19901992). The Skyline and GTR names became some of the most well-known among enthusiasts due to the R32’s on-track success.