Sportscar racing fans could be forgiven for worrying about the strength of the lineup for this year's Le Mans 24 Hour race after Peugeot announced it was abandoning its entry in the LMP1 class. But another race will unfold -- between hybrid racers.
Audi is entering four cars for the 80th running of the endurance race, and two (cars numbered 1 and 2) will use hybrid drive. The number 3 and 4 cars are updated versions of the race-winning R18 from last year.
"To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans.
"As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive -- just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race."
Audi's hybrid LMP1 cars will also compete in the newly-formed World Endurance Championship, alongside Toyota's new hybrid racecar: called TS030. The Toyota uses a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 and hybrid system (with front and rear motors) to capture energy under braking.
Currently the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has restricted hybrid entrants to recovering a maximum of 500kJ between braking zones, and the power is to be sent to two wheels only.
Audi has not yet released details of its hybrid LMP1 cars. Team Joest is scheduled to present the cars at the end of this month.
Last year Hope Racing entered a hybrid sportscar in the LMP1 category but it was forced to retire at lap 20. The Hope team used a VW engine with Flybrid flywheel KERS and Oreca chassis in 2011, and will again for the 80th race.
The LMP2 field is probably the highlight, with 18 cars including the return of the Nissan Signatech outfit with Oreca chassis, and last year's category winners Greaves Motorsports. Nissan in fact dominates the category, with 11 cars against two Hondas, four Judds and one Lotus.
The ACO allows for the final spot on the grid to be open to a racecar that does not necessarily conform to any of the categories (LMP1, LMP2, GT Pro and GT Am), with priority given to the most innovative in terms of performance or ecology.
This year the DeltaWing car originally designed for the IndyCar series will fill the 56th place, using a turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder.
The 80th 24 Heures du Mans will be held 16-17 June.
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