Skip to main content
U.S. Edition
Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WORLD SPORT

Audi dominate Le Mans qualifying

story.kristensen.afp.gi.jpg
Kristensen is chasing a seventh consecutive victory in the event.

LE MANS, France -- Two diesel-engined cars will line up on the front row for the first time at Le Mans on Saturday after Audi dominated final qualifying for the 24 Hours endurance classic.

Denmark's Tom Kristensen, Briton Allan McNish and Italian Rinaldo Capello took pole position in qualifying for the 74th edition of the sports car classic at the La Sarthe circuit.

Capello, who turns 42 on Saturday, lapped in three minutes 30.466 seconds.

The other factory Audi driven by Italian Emanuele Pirro and Germans Frank Biela and Marco Werner -- the latter doing the best qualifying lap -- was second fastest in 3:30:584.

Audi, triumphant five times in the last six years with petrol-engined cars, are hoping to become the first manufacturer to win the race with a diesel engine.

All six Audi drivers are previous Le Mans winners and Kristensen, 38, will be chasing a record eighth victory in the event and seventh in a row.

"Now we are going into the 24 Hours as confident as we can," the Dane said.

"The team can be proud that we've secured the first diesel front row at Le Mans -- both Dindo (Capello) and Marco (Werner) produced strong performances," said McNish.

"I'm a little surprised by the lack of pace shown by the Pescarolos tonight but I'm certain that their challenge has not disappeared," added the Scot.

"The car balance is good and the tires are working well. We have good options for wet or dry race conditions."

The two Pescarolo cars filled the second row, with world rally champion Sebastien Loeb fourth on the starting grid with French team mates Franck Montagny and Eric Helary.

The race starts on Saturday at 1500 GMT.

Story Tools
Click Here to try 4 Free Trial Issues of Time! cover
Top Stories
Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
Top Stories
Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
 
 
 
 
CNN U.S.
CNN TV E-mail Services CNN Mobile CNNAvantGo Ad Info About Us Preferences
Search
© 2007 Cable News Network LP, LLLP.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map.
Offsite Icon External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pipeline Icon Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more
Radio News Icon Download audio news  |  RSS Feed Add RSS headlines