Capello in Audi at Mid-Ohio

Immediate Release
August 11, 2001

Capello Gets Sneak Peek at Mid Ohio

Lexington, Ohio - Audi R8 pilot Rinaldo Capello got his first look at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course today behind the wheel of his series leading Infineon Audi R8.

Three cars from the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) were invited to do promotional laps during the CART weekend.  Capello, having never driven the circuit, was an anxious volunteer.  "I wanted a chance to drive the circuit before our race here in two weeks."

The 2.25-mile, 13-turn road course has a rich sportscar history.  The Italian enjoyed his initial laps, "I think it is a beautiful circuit.  There are some very deceiving parts of the track. I like the first turn.  It is a very fast part of the circuit and you have to have a good reference point of where to tap the brake.  I think the most important thing will be to get into a good rhythm, but that will be difficult in the ALMS traffic," said Capello.  "I see us doing lap times in the 1:12s or 1:13s with the Audi.  We should be able to hit about 270km down the straight."

The ALMS series will race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Audi season to date:

Texas       Qualify first and twenty-second, Capello on pole
                Finish first and second, Capello/Kristensen win
Sebring     Qualify first and second, Pirro on pole
                Finish first and second, Capello/Aiello/Alboreto win
Donington Qualify first and second, Kristensen on pole
                Finish first and second, Capello/Kristensen win
Jarama     Qualify first and second, Kristensen on pole
                Finish first and second, Capello/Kristensen
Le Mans   Qualify first and second, Capello on pole
                Finish first and second, Biela/Kristensen/Pirro
Sears Point Qualify first and second, Capello on pole
                Finish first and second, Capello/Kristensen
Portland    Qualify second and third, Kristensen second, Pirro third
                Finish second and fifth