Audi to defend Le Mans crown

Audi dominated the gruelling Le Mans race this year

Audi is to try to win the Le Mans 24 Hours for the second consecutive year in 2001.

The German marque, which filled the top three places at Le Mans last June, has announced its decision to race at the prestigious 24-hour event again next year.

The German car maker said in a statement on Tuesday that it would field two updated versions of its R8 sportscars in the prestigious event on 16-17 June.

The drivers will be Laurent Aiello, Michele Alboreto, Frank Biela, Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro. All six were part of Audi's Le Mans team this year.

Win on two fronts

Biela, Kristensen and Pirro were the winning team in this year's event.

Audi will also enter the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which starts on 4 March with a race in Fort Worth, Texas.

Scot Allan McNish won the ALMS with Audi this year. He has quit the team to concentrate on testing with Toyota's Formula One team, which will make its debut in Grand Prix racing in 2002.

McNish is hoping to be promoted to the race team alongside Mika Salo, but that has yet to be confirmed.