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Shell V-Power Diesel technology fuels Audi R10 TDI to historic American Le Mans Series victory

23/10/2006

The Audi R10 TDI fuelled by Shell V-Power Diesel has completed a historic year by winning convincingly the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

The two diesel-powered R 10 TDI race cars started their campaign of victories at their race debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring, which kicked off the ALMS.
Powered by Shell V-Power Diesel racing fuel with GTL (Gas to Liquids) technology, the R10 TDIs have proved that put to the ultimate test, diesel can provide blistering power, engine endurance and unrivalled fuel economy.

The latest result at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, California caps a phenomenal series of victories, including the world’s first diesel-powered win at the world’s toughest motor race, the Le Mans 24 Hours race in France.With two races to go, Audi’s V-Power Diesel fuelled R10 TDIs had an unassailable 49 point lead over their nearest rivals to sew up the team championship at the Mosport Park raceway in Canada.

“Never before has a diesel been capable of wining a races, let alone championships,” Shell Motorsport’s technical manager Mike Copson said. “The result at the weekend just caps a racing season which will go down in history as the year diesel changed the world of motorsports forever.”
Commenting on the partnership, Shell Vice President of Retail Marketing Bruce Rosengarten said, “We are delighted to be working with Audi Sport to develop a diesel with the power to win the American Le Mans Series. Shell V-Power Diesel is already the choice of thousands of drivers everyday and with the same technology used to power the Audi R10, we are sure that many more will soon experience the enduring power it is designed to deliver.”

This advanced fuel is designed to help the latest generation of diesel engines to continuously deliver power. In many countries Shell V-Power Diesel contains the same exclusive synthetic GTL Fuel technology used in the ALMS race fuel. Shell has led the introduction of this innovative fuel technology and is already supplying GTL Fuel as the special ingredient at the heart of Shell V-Power Diesel through some 4,000 Shell retail sites across Europe.

Notes to editors:
Shell V-Power Diesel is the first and only premium diesel to contain this special synthetic fuel created from natural gas in Malaysia using a unique Shell synthesis process. Shell GTL Fuel was first introduced to motorists as part of Shell Pura Diesel in Thailand. Shell GTL Fuel burns more cleanly and efficiently than conventional diesel because of its outstanding purity and cetane quality.

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