FRANKFURT, Germany — Audi is pulling out of the American Le Mans Series after nine years.
Audi motor sports chief Wolfgang Ullrich said Friday the German car maker wanted to concentrate on Europe “in these difficult economic times.”
The announcement came on the same day that Honda said it was pulling out of Formula One, as car makers around the world battle with massive drops in sales amid the global financial downturn.
Audi cars have won nine straight LMP1 class championships.
Ullrich said the decision to drop out was “a difficult one” since Audi helped establish what he called a “fascinating motor sports series.”
“Our brand dominated the last season with seven wins in 11 races,” he said.
The racing cars in the series used so-called TDI technology — or Turbocharged Direct Injection for diesel engines — which “perfectly supported” the launch of the technology in the United States, Ullrich said.
Audi will continue to race in the 24-hour race in Le Mans, France, and will also keep its cars in the German touring cars (DTM) series, as well in the 12-hour race in Sebring, Florida.
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