| Alternative fuel motorsport | 2008 Le Mans 24-hours | Audi R10 TDI |
In 2007, Peugeot and Audi entered diesel-fuelled cars in the LMP1 class at Le Mans and the R10 and the 908 were very closely matched. Audi looked set to take first and second place until the lead R10 lost a rear wheel whereas one of the Peugeots failed to finish - running into engine trouble in the 22nd hour of the race.
To date, Shell V-Power Diesel has powered the diesel racecars. This synthetic fuel is produced not from oil, but from natural gas by a process called Gas to Liquid (GTL). This year the R10s will be running on a Shell-developed diesel incorporating next generation bio-fuel. Bio-waste, waste wood and other material unfit for foodstuffs has been synthesised into liquid fuel (Bio-mass to Liquid - or BTL). A small amount of bio-fuel will be added to the GTL diesel to make a practically sulphur-free, odourless and clean-burning mixture.
Michael Dick, board member of Audi AG responsible for technical development, said, "Audi voiced its support early for the use of next generation bio-fuels at Le Mans. It underlines our philosophy that we view Le Mans as a tough test field for new technologies which will be available at a later date in production cars for our customers. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) provides the opportunity to use alternative drive concepts and fuels, which we exploit to the full."
In Sunday's open practice the Audis could not match the pace set by the Peugeots, the 908s returning the first, second and fourth fastest times. The best Audi could manage was third (only 0.036 seconds behind the second placed French car) with the other R10s finishing fifth and tenth.
Qualifying is on 11th and 12th June and the race starts at 3:00 pm on Saturday 14th June.
John Lambert - 3 Jun 2008