The diesel-powered Audi of “Flying Scotsman” Allan McNish starts the Sebring 12 Hours endurance sportscar race on Saturday (17 Mar) from second place on the 34-car grid.

The 37-year-old Scotsman’s co-driver, Dindo Capello, set a fastest time of 1min 45.326secs, an average speed of 126.465mph, around the 3.7-mile, 17-corner track in Florida in the 25-minute official qualifying session today (THURS).

The “sister” Audi Sport North America entered R10 TDI of 2006 Le Mans 24 Hour race winners Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany) claimed pole-position with a new qualifying record of 1:44.974secs (126.889mph). Audi has topped each test and practice session since Monday.


Allan commented: “As soon at the revised 2007-spec Audi R10 TDI was taken out of the truck on Monday it was immediately fast on the track, confirming that the development over the winter had been very positive.

“Dindo was a little unlucky in qualifying because of an early red flag which affected our strategy but starting from the front row in a 12 hour race is not so bad for us and we’ll be looking to get this year’s 12-race ALMS season off to a flying start.”

McNish, who bids to become the most successful British driver in the 55-year history of the historic Sebring race with a third win, and fellow reigning American Le Mans Series champion Capello, are joined by Tom Kristensen in their diesel Audi R10 TDI aiming to repeat last year’s Sebring race victory.

“We still need to fine tune the balance and ‘feel’ of the car before Saturday’s race to get it 100% to our liking which is a normal situation,” added McNish.

“But looking at the history of Audi Sport here at Sebring since 1999, and the short history of the R10 TDI from last year, I have every confidence it’ll all come right on the day.”

The race, which has been won by Audi each year since 2000 and is expected to cover approximately 1,300-miles, begins at 2.45pm (UK time).