Audi complete Le Mans front row

[geek_rohit]

Audi moved a step closer to Le Mans history with a clean sweep of the front row for Saturday's 24-hour race.

Scotsman Allan McNish and co-drivers Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello took pole after a lap of three minutes 30.466 seconds on Thursday evening.

The Audi of Emanuele Pirro, Frank Biela and Marco Werner claimed second spot, ahead of the two Pescarolo cars.

Audi are aiming to become the first team to win the Le Mans 24 Hours with a diesel-powered car.

"Le Mans is a new challenge every year," said Kristensen. "I have great respect for this race even though I've already won it seven times.

"Le Mans is even more special this year with the new Audi. The diesel project is brand new, that's why we all have butterflies in the stomach.

"Nobody has done anything similar before. The Audi technicians have worked hard and brilliantly.

"We need to have solutions for all the little niggles that definitely will come up during the race."

Pescarolo had claimed the upper hand in the previous three qualifying sessions, amid torrential rain.

But the local team let that advantage slip on Thursday, allowing Audi to dominate the front row.

World rally champion Sebastien Loeb and Super Aguri Formula One backmarker Franck Montagny start from fourth in the Pescarolo they share with Eric Helary.

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi...ort/5085664.stm

Published: 2006/06/15 23:20:52 GMT

? BBC MMVI

Audi sure will win at the LeMans. After Sebring, LeMans won't be a big deal for them now that they have the front row.