2008 Audi R10 TDI #2 Pilots: R. Capello, A. McNish, T. Kristensen Team: Audi Sport North America Race: 1st overall (LMP1 class) at Le Mans in 2008 Spark - 43LM08 (resin)
Published 10/12/18
Beginning in 2000, Audi started to dominate Le Mans with the R8. To the point that after five wins, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) demanded that for 2006 the R8 should carry ballast and use bigger air restrictors in order to level the playing field. However, Ingolstadt was secretly working on the successor to the R8 since 2003, and in December of 2005 the R10 was ready. What truly set the R10 in a different league was it’s diesel engine. At the time, FIA encouraged alternative fuels, and Audi wanted to boost sales of it’s diesel-engined cars. So if the R10 could pull off a win at Le Mans, it would be a major publicity feat.
In 2008 Audi was back at La Sarthe, once again with the R10. The three works cars were divided among Audi Sport Team Joest and Audi Sport North America. Their main competition were Peugeot’s 908 HDI FAP, and all three Peugeot started the race in the first positions. The 908s were in the lead all the way to the 12th hour. But then, the heavens opened up and water started to pour. Car #2 managed to snatch the lead and stayed there to the checkered flag.
This is my third R10 TDI, and first one from Spark. When I got my other two I didn’t think they could be much improved, but Spark proved me wrong. Cockpit detail here is a LOT better, and this one has real tail lights, not just a painted representation. I don’t think I’ll upgrade my previous cars, but I’m glad at least one of my R10s came from Spark.
