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Audi will cease to compete in the 2009 American Le Mans Series (Audi R8 LMS GT3 Pictures) despite winning every LMP1 championship since 2000 with their R8 racer and R10 TDI racers. The company claims they’ll instead focus on European racing. This announcement came shortly after Honda F1 Racing Comes To An End announcement!

The obvious issue could be that the Carpocalypse has claimed another victim and the company (Shareholders) doesn’t find the racing series financially justifiable during these economic times. Since Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen AG by Porsche, is doing well we find a purely financial motive to be somewhat unlikely unless sponsorship concerns are an issue but, given they’re the reigning champs and Shell is a main sponsor, we’re dubious!

This may be an exciting development for any of the other racing teams that actually want to win the LMP1 championship, but it’s a blow to the racing series and a seemingly backward step for a company that has used its victories to sell cars, as it acknowledges in the press release they sent out announcing this:

Since the 2000 season Audi has won the LMP1 title nine-times in succession in this high-calibre sportscar championship. Our brand dominated proceedings last season by taking seven wins in eleven races. TDI in racing supported the market launch of Audi TDI technology in the USA perfectly

It’s also possible the ALMS’ attempts to saddle the Audi team with restrictions, an effort to make the series more competitive, has scared off the team. Audi is going to debut the new Audi R15 TDI racer at the ALMS Twelve Hours Of Sebring, the first and last event for the new vehicle in America. Perhaps they want to quit while they’re ahead.

Related Audi Posts
Audi R8 LMS GT3 Pictures – Essen Motor Show 2008
2008 Honda F1 Racing Comes To An End

[Source: IndianAutosBlog.com]