Audi 2011 Annual Report Download - page 78

and satisfaction. Fischer enjoyed a glass of champagne and satisfaction. Fischer enjoyed a glass of champagne
in celebration of the tenth victory. And the start of his in celebration of the tenth victory. And the start of his
retirement. “An unforgettable moment,” he recalls. It was his retirement. “An unforgettable moment,” he recalls. It was his
last race, but just the third for technician Daniel Mack. Mack last race, but just the third for technician Daniel Mack. Mack
really wanted to become a chef. However, at the advice of really wanted to become a chef. However, at the advice of
his father, who also works at Audi, he became an automobile his father, who also works at Audi, he became an automobile
mechanic in 2001, trading his whisk for a vise.mechanic in 2001, trading his whisk for a vise.
Mack’s enthusiasm was initially tempered by plenty of Mack’s enthusiasm was initially tempered by plenty of
frustration. Some trainees are allowed to move to Audi Sport frustration. Some trainees are allowed to move to Audi Sport
after 18 months. “Iafter 18 months. “I’’ d d have loved to have been one of them,”have loved to have been one of them,”
he says. And his wish fihe says. And his wish fi nally came true in October 2005. nally came true in October 2005.
“Working at Audi Sport is the ultimate,” raves Mack, who is “Working at Audi Sport is the ultimate,” raves Mack, who is
now a development specialist for racing and specialty engines. now a development specialist for racing and specialty engines.
An engine is an engine. And yet, this one was designed almost An engine is an engine. And yet, this one was designed almost
from scratch due to radical changes in the technical rules for from scratch due to radical changes in the technical rules for
2011. The new V6 TDI is signifi2011. The new V6 TDI is signifi cantly smaller, but its specifi cantly smaller, but its specifi c c
output is much higher. And that for the ultimate challenge – output is much higher. And that for the ultimate challenge –
Le Mans: a good 4,838 kilometers, roughly the distance from Le Mans: a good 4,838 kilometers, roughly the distance from
Oslo to Rome and back.Oslo to Rome and back.
Ingolstadt, December 10, 2010: world premiere of the Ingolstadt, December 10, 2010: world premiere of the
R18 TDI at the Audi Sport fiR18 TDI at the Audi Sport fi nale. The guests are still cel- nale. The guests are still cel-
ebrating as Mack and his colleagues roll away the prototype. ebrating as Mack and his colleagues roll away the prototype.
“Into the truck at 1 a.m. and off“Into the truck at 1 a.m. and off for testing,” recalls the for testing,” recalls the
25-year-old. Tests, tests and more tests – until Le Mans. 25-year-old. Tests, tests and more tests – until Le Mans.
He pitches in during the pit stops. When the car is on the track, He pitches in during the pit stops. When the car is on the track,
he monitors vehicle data such as pressures, temperatures and he monitors vehicle data such as pressures, temperatures and
the fuel level on his laptop. The 24 Hours are the greatest. the fuel level on his laptop. The 24 Hours are the greatest.
Even his calendar is based around the race. “Le Mans is like our Even his calendar is based around the race. “Le Mans is like our
New Year’s Eve – the new year starts after the race.”
Axel LöfflAxel Löffl er’s work is already done when the race starts. er’s work is already done when the race starts.
“Otherwise I’ve done something wrong,” he says. He still “Otherwise I’ve done something wrong,” he says. He still
keeps an eye on things for the 24 hours. Löfflkeeps an eye on things for the 24 hours. Löffl er and his team er and his team
are responsible for the design of the complete chassis. He are responsible for the design of the complete chassis. He
monitors their creation at the track. “Our development times monitors their creation at the track. “Our development times
are extremely short, from six to nine months.” Nevertheless, are extremely short, from six to nine months.” Nevertheless,
everything – aerodynamics, effieverything – aerodynamics, effi ciency, safety – must be perfect. ciency, safety – must be perfect.
He experiences many emotional moments. Allan McNish He experiences many emotional moments. Allan McNish
and Mike Rockenfeller are involved in serious accidents while and Mike Rockenfeller are involved in serious accidents while
performing passing maneuvers. But the Audi ultra lightweight performing passing maneuvers. But the Audi ultra lightweight
technology saves lives. Both drivers free themselves from the technology saves lives. Both drivers free themselves from the
wreckage of their race cars. “McNish thanked me for the sturdy wreckage of their race cars. “McNish thanked me for the sturdy
cockpit. That was very moving,” recalls Löfflcockpit. That was very moving,” recalls Löffl er. Another 16 er. Another 16
hours of adrenaline follow: The last remaining Audi keeps the hours of adrenaline follow: The last remaining Audi keeps the
four Peugeot lions behind it. All the way to victory. four Peugeot lions behind it. All the way to victory.
13.854 seconds lead: a spectacular win by the 13.854 seconds lead: a spectacular win by the
Audi R18 TDI at Le Mans.Audi R18 TDI at Le Mans.
Passion Passion __7575
Axel LöfflAxel Löffl er er
3.18 a.m. on Sunday. 3.18 a.m. on Sunday.
The engineer (rear, standing) The engineer (rear, standing)
watches over the only watches over the only
Audi R18 TDI Audi R18 TDI
remaining in the race.remaining in the race.
“Le Mans is like New Year’s Eve for us – the new year begins after the race.”“Le Mans is like New Year’s Eve for us – the new year begins after the race.” Daniel Daniel MackMack