Kolles to run privateer Audi R10'S in LMS

[Robbo]

As reported in Autosport:

The pioneering diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI will return to the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series in 2009 despite the German manufacturer's decision to withdraw from the series and build an all-new R15 TDI LMP1 prototype, after it announced that former Formula One team principal Colin Kolles will run two privately-entered cars for the season through his TME team.

As well as doing a full LMS season, Kolles, whose outfit also runs a squad of Audi A4s in the DTM, is planning to take his R10 TDIs to the Le Mans 24 Hours, where the car remains unbeaten.

It will be the first time a privately-entered Audi has raced at La Sarthe since 2005.

As part of the agreement to sell the R10 TDIs - which not only won Le Mans, but also helped to secure the LMS, ALMS and Petit Le Mans titles in 2008 - Audi has agreed a service package encompassing support for the private racing commitments by members of Audi Sport's technical staff.

Audi's head of motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said: "We welcome the fact that Dr Kolles decided to take on this commitment and wants to purchase two Audi R10 TDI cars.

"While on the factory side of the house we are concentrating on the development and fielding of the new R15 TDI sportscar as well as on the DTM, we are pleased to see that the R10 TDI will be privately entered in future and that racing vehicles of the Audi brand will continue to be represented in the Le Mans Series," he added, stressing the independent nature of Kolles' project. "That is why we agreed to the sale of the cars.

"However, our involvement will be strictly limited to providing support under the terms of the service agreement."

[Bas]

I think Cristijan Albers was driving for Kolles in the DTM and raced the R10 for Audi in Laguna Seca, so I wouldn't be surprised if he would drive the Audi this season.

[Dirk3D_NL]

that would be interesting and welcome

our DfH colleague QV had a nice chat with him at Laguna Seca, he seems a good enough bloke outside the F1 world

[Nordic]

Never saw that coming. 2009 is starting to look a hole lot better with this and the Aston news. All we want now is nigal to pop on his helmet and help out his boy out at modena and the year will be complete!

Btw I read that Goh has got his hands on a p2 porsche as well, so it looks like at least one of those will be racing this year at the 24hr.

[LangTall]

Goh bought it from van Merksteijn.

[mgmark]

Smart move - not a bad bet for the team and for Audi - the latter get the glory if the R15 sweeps the board, with the banker of a supported privateer running last year's R10s, which would otherwise not turn a wheel, to pick up the pieces if it all goes to rats..

MG Mark