Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 77

rwin Fischer’s enthusiasm was firwin Fischer’s enthusiasm was fi rst sparked 46 rst sparked 46
years ago when he joined NSU Motorenwerke AGyears ago when he joined NSU Motorenwerke AG
in 1966. He began on rotary-piston engines, in 1966. He began on rotary-piston engines,
worked his way up the ladder in Neckarsulm and worked his way up the ladder in Neckarsulm and
joined Audi Sport in 1990. Audi has been competing at joined Audi Sport in 1990. Audi has been competing at
the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1999. The race enjoys the the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1999. The race enjoys the
reputation of being the world’s biggest racing event. Even reputation of being the world’s biggest racing event. Even
after 88 years, the Grande Dame of motorsport is con-after 88 years, the Grande Dame of motorsport is con-
sidered a source of inspiration, fascination and motivation. sidered a source of inspiration, fascination and motivation.
A driving force for the biggest brands, their drivers and A driving force for the biggest brands, their drivers and
their employees. And for amazing fans: 249,500 people their employees. And for amazing fans: 249,500 people
poured into the department of Sarthe in June 2011. They poured into the department of Sarthe in June 2011. They
experienced a fascinating battle that Audi won by a margin experienced a fascinating battle that Audi won by a margin
of just 13.854 seconds.of just 13.854 seconds.
It is the last page in Fischer’s professional storybook – one It is the last page in Fischer’s professional storybook – one
which is so typical for his generation. Precision mechanical which is so typical for his generation. Precision mechanical
engineering in Baden-Wuerttemberg, from scratch. A lifetime engineering in Baden-Wuerttemberg, from scratch. A lifetime
for the company, nearly half a century of automotive history. for the company, nearly half a century of automotive history.
People like the 60-year-old master mechanic are the pillars People like the 60-year-old master mechanic are the pillars
of stability in a fast-paced world. “Vorsprung durch Technik,” of stability in a fast-paced world. “Vorsprung durch Technik,”
innovative ideas, brilliantly conceived by engineers. But it is innovative ideas, brilliantly conceived by engineers. But it is
only through the meticulousness of Fischer and his colleagues only through the meticulousness of Fischer and his colleagues
that they become reality. One mistake during assembly and that they become reality. One mistake during assembly and
the ambitions of a global company would go up in smoke the ambitions of a global company would go up in smoke
before the eyes of millions of television viewers.before the eyes of millions of television viewers.
Audi factory driver André Lotterer took the checkered flAudi factory driver André Lotterer took the checkered fl ag ag
at 3 p.m. on June 12, 2011, with a mixture of exhaustion at 3 p.m. on June 12, 2011, with a mixture of exhaustion
Daniel MackDaniel Mack
A pit stop is classic manual A pit stop is classic manual
labor. Once the car is labor. Once the car is
back on the track, the back on the track, the
engineer turns his attention engineer turns his attention
to the telemetry data.to the telemetry data.
Erwin FischerErwin Fischer
The master mechanic (right) The master mechanic (right)
tends to the V6 TDI tends to the V6 TDI
engine for the last time. engine for the last time.
Fischer is retiring Fischer is retiring
after 45 years at Audi.after 45 years at Audi.
7474 __PassionPassion
P H O T O SPHOTOS | | A U D IAUDI A GAG