As they have every year since 1952, the world’s top sports car endurance racers will gather in the central Florida town of Sebring to contest the longest, hardest, and most important road race in North America—the American Le Mans Series/ International Le Mans Cup Sebring 12 Hours.
For the past four years, the Sebring 12 Hours has been the first skirmish in a yearlong battle between two automotive giants, Germany’s Audi and France’s Peugeot. Each manufacturer has spent astronomical sums building exotic cutting-edge cars to compete for the crown of the world’s fastest endurance racer.
Audi ruled Sebring for the most of the first decade of the 21st century. Its R8 model won there every year from 2000 through 2005, its R10 TDI diesel won in 2006 and 2007, and its R15 won in 2009. Aside from a loss to Porsche in 2008, Audi owned the decade—until 2010.
In 2010, Audi was unable to field a car at Sebring because midwinter rules changes required a complete rebuilding of that year’s car, the R15+, and Audi didn’t have time to test the new design before the 2010 race. Peugeot rejected Audi’s proposal to run an interim version at Sebring, so the revised version sat on a transporter outside the track, waiting until the race was over to begin testing.
Peugeot dominated the 2010 race. With Audi out, the French giant faced only small privateer teams. North American fans were robbed of the showdown of giants, and Peugeot’s victory was somewhat hollow—made worse by the fact that the team lost all four cars at Le Mans that year, giving the win to the Audi R15+.
For the past four years, the Sebring 12 Hours has been the first skirmish in a yearlong battle between two automotive giants, Germany’s Audi and France’s Peugeot. Each manufacturer has spent astronomical sums building exotic cutting-edge cars to compete for the crown of the world’s fastest endurance racer.
Audi ruled Sebring for the most of the first decade of the 21st century. Its R8 model won there every year from 2000 through 2005, its R10 TDI diesel won in 2006 and 2007, and its R15 won in 2009. Aside from a loss to Porsche in 2008, Audi owned the decade—until 2010.
In 2010, Audi was unable to field a car at Sebring because midwinter rules changes required a complete rebuilding of that year’s car, the R15+, and Audi didn’t have time to test the new design before the 2010 race. Peugeot rejected Audi’s proposal to run an interim version at Sebring, so the revised version sat on a transporter outside the track, waiting until the race was over to begin testing.
Peugeot dominated the 2010 race. With Audi out, the French giant faced only small privateer teams. North American fans were robbed of the showdown of giants, and Peugeot’s victory was somewhat hollow—made worse by the fact that the team lost all four cars at Le Mans that year, giving the win to the Audi R15+.
Nest: The Cars
The Cars
Audi has an all-new car for 2011, the R18. And again, Sebring fans won’t see it; the new car will start its racing career at Spa, Belgium, in May. At Sebring, Audi will race the R15++, a 2011-rules-complaint version of the R15+, which is itself an update of 2009’s R15.
The R15++ has the old Audi 5.5-liter V10 with two variable geometry turbochargers, which made (reportedly) 590 bhp in 2010 trim. New boost and restrictor regulations for 2011 should cut that significantly.
Unlike the R18, and also the Peugeot, the R15 is an open-topped car. The R15++ is basically the 2010 R15+ with less power; regulations require the car to be unchanged from its 2010 configuration.
While race-proven, the R15+ also proved to be slower than the Peugeots at Le Mans—reliability was their strong suit. And over 12 hours on Sebring’s bumpy concrete airfield runways, reliability is always a key factor.
Audi could have passed on Sebring again this year. Instead, they have decided to try to wrest back the title from their French foes. Danke, Audi.
The R15++ has the old Audi 5.5-liter V10 with two variable geometry turbochargers, which made (reportedly) 590 bhp in 2010 trim. New boost and restrictor regulations for 2011 should cut that significantly.
Unlike the R18, and also the Peugeot, the R15 is an open-topped car. The R15++ is basically the 2010 R15+ with less power; regulations require the car to be unchanged from its 2010 configuration.
While race-proven, the R15+ also proved to be slower than the Peugeots at Le Mans—reliability was their strong suit. And over 12 hours on Sebring’s bumpy concrete airfield runways, reliability is always a key factor.
Audi could have passed on Sebring again this year. Instead, they have decided to try to wrest back the title from their French foes. Danke, Audi.
Facing the old Audi is Peugeot’s new 908, based on 2007’s 908 HDI chassis but built to 2011 regulations.
Introduced in October, the new Peugeot is powered by a 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8, with more turbo boost and larger restrictors than the much larger Audi motor. Peugeot claims the new engine puts out 550 bhp.
The 908 (like the R18, but not the R15++) uses the oversized front tires pioneered by the Acura ARX-02a in 2009, which should increase cornering speed.
Also, the aerodynamics of the new Peugeot look a lot cleaner than the older car’s, and in many ways similar to the R15++ and the Acura. Apparently Peugeot realizes it cannot count on having the most powerful engine, and now wants to dominate in the corners as well as the straights.
The 908 HDi won every race but Le Mans in 2010. The new version, while down on power, should be on par with the restricted Audi, and also boasts all the latest aero and suspension upgrades. But Sebring will be its first race, while the Audi is a known quantity.
Sadly, Sebring fans will be denied the real showdown they all want to see—the brand-new Audi versus the brand-new Peugeot. Still, 2011 should be better than 2010: Audi is bringing a proven warrior, and Peugeot is baptizing its latest racer. The 2011 American Le Mans Series season couldn’t offer a better beginning.
Best of all, the R18 and the 908 will be back in October for Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Start planning now.
Introduced in October, the new Peugeot is powered by a 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged V8, with more turbo boost and larger restrictors than the much larger Audi motor. Peugeot claims the new engine puts out 550 bhp.
The 908 (like the R18, but not the R15++) uses the oversized front tires pioneered by the Acura ARX-02a in 2009, which should increase cornering speed.
Also, the aerodynamics of the new Peugeot look a lot cleaner than the older car’s, and in many ways similar to the R15++ and the Acura. Apparently Peugeot realizes it cannot count on having the most powerful engine, and now wants to dominate in the corners as well as the straights.
The 908 HDi won every race but Le Mans in 2010. The new version, while down on power, should be on par with the restricted Audi, and also boasts all the latest aero and suspension upgrades. But Sebring will be its first race, while the Audi is a known quantity.
Sadly, Sebring fans will be denied the real showdown they all want to see—the brand-new Audi versus the brand-new Peugeot. Still, 2011 should be better than 2010: Audi is bringing a proven warrior, and Peugeot is baptizing its latest racer. The 2011 American Le Mans Series season couldn’t offer a better beginning.
Best of all, the R18 and the 908 will be back in October for Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Start planning now.
