From Audi MediaInfo
After earning 2010 'Rookie of Le Mans' honours in a privateer Audi R10 TDI, DTM regular Oliver Jarvis steps up to the factory team's endurance line-up in his return to the 24 Hours classic.
You return to endurance racing and contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 with Audi. What is the greatest challenge?
“The distance and therefore also the duration of the race are the biggest differences to the race rhythm that we know from the DTM for instance. Furthermore, the sports prototype is much faster than a touring car through the corners and also on the straights due to its design. It’s a real physical challenge as the resulting centrifugal forces are much higher.”
What is special about Le Mans?
“I was captivated by the unusual environment when I raced there in a private Audi R10 TDI. Starting with technical scrutineering we are in Le Mans for a whole week before the checkered flag falls. You can’t describe the atmosphere there to anyone who hasn’t actually experienced it themselves. It’s fascinating for every fan to see race cars like the Audi R18 in really fast corners like the Porsche Curves.”
Unlike sprint races, it’s not the individual race driver that is in the spotlight at Le Mans. What’s it all about?
“It’s not about the individual but in fact about finding the best possible set-up for all three drivers. This also affects the work with the engineers and mechanics. The 24-hour race is genuine team sport. I’m personally looking forward to being able to continue a strong tradition of British drivers at Le Mans – and this with such a successful brand like Audi. This obviously arouses ambitions!”
After earning 2010 'Rookie of Le Mans' honours in a privateer Audi R10 TDI, DTM regular Oliver Jarvis steps up to the factory team's endurance line-up in his return to the 24 Hours classic.
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| Oliver Jarvis (Photo: OliverJarvis.com) |
You return to endurance racing and contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 with Audi. What is the greatest challenge?
“The distance and therefore also the duration of the race are the biggest differences to the race rhythm that we know from the DTM for instance. Furthermore, the sports prototype is much faster than a touring car through the corners and also on the straights due to its design. It’s a real physical challenge as the resulting centrifugal forces are much higher.”
What is special about Le Mans?
“I was captivated by the unusual environment when I raced there in a private Audi R10 TDI. Starting with technical scrutineering we are in Le Mans for a whole week before the checkered flag falls. You can’t describe the atmosphere there to anyone who hasn’t actually experienced it themselves. It’s fascinating for every fan to see race cars like the Audi R18 in really fast corners like the Porsche Curves.”
 |
| Jarvis' DTM car (Photo: OliverJarvis.com) |
Unlike sprint races, it’s not the individual race driver that is in the spotlight at Le Mans. What’s it all about?
“It’s not about the individual but in fact about finding the best possible set-up for all three drivers. This also affects the work with the engineers and mechanics. The 24-hour race is genuine team sport. I’m personally looking forward to being able to continue a strong tradition of British drivers at Le Mans – and this with such a successful brand like Audi. This obviously arouses ambitions!”