Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Audi is fresh from its domination of the American Le Mans Series but earlier in the year, it was not clear whether the German automaker will participate in the Le Mans Series in Europe.
Recently though, the automaker which has won last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans confirmed that they will be participating at the endurance race series. Audi will once again campaign with its Audi R10 - a diesel powered race car which has dominated the American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Former Formula One driver Allan McNish will once again pilot the Audi R10 along with teammate Dindo Capello. The pair has won last year's American Le Mans Series championship and will be looking to continue their good showing on European soil.
McNish who hails from Scotland is visibly pumped with the chance of winning a title in his home soil. He is also motivated to win the title as it has eluded him time and time again in the past.
"Having now won the American Le Mans Series title three times, I'm delighted to be racing again regularly in Europe," said McNish. "My career began in 1987 and I've come close to championship success in Europe on a couple of occasions only to just miss out."
The Scot said that he last raced in Europe four years ago not counting his appearances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "I last raced sportscars regularly in Europe in 2004 and started the final race that year leading the championship but missed out."
The R10 has not made an appearance in any endurance race series in Europe. The prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans of course is not included as it only happens once a year. Therefore, McNish is excited with the prospect of competing in European soil on tracks where the R10 has never prowled before.
"I'm really looking forward to racing at places like Monza, Spa and Silverstone again – especially for the first time in Audi's pioneering diesel-engined sportscar," said McNish.
Audi is expected to make the R10 more efficient and faster even if it is not equipped with Audi spark plug wires as it is diesel powered. Peugeot will also be entering the competition with a diesel powered racecar. The rivalry between the two is just starting and McNish is aware of this. "We're likely to face very stiff competition in the LMS in terms of possible race and championship glory but Audi always relishes fierce competition as do I," he concluded.
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