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03 January 2008 | Posted in Allan's Blog
Firstly, I trust you had a Happy Christmas and, as we say in Scotland, enjoyed a Happy Hogmanay . . . I hope I can look forward to your continued support in 2008.
Well, my feet have hardly touched the floor since the Laguna race in October. Now that the racing season is so busy, much of the marketing and sponsor events, cannot be done in the actual season. This consequently means the ‘off season’ gets shorter and shorter because we also need to keep busy testing. The R10 TDI is a superb car but with the prospect of stiff competition from the likes of Porsche and Acura in America plus Peugeot and now Oreca in Europe next year, we must continue to develop and improve the Audi. Concerning Oreca, Audi knows it potential and I can see them really coming on strong over the next couple of years.
After the Laguna race on 21 October, I headed back to Europe and did a couple of events for my personal sponsors at Jewson and Unipart, for UK Sport, a London-based sports agency aimed at leading the UK to sporting success, and also visited some old friends at Scania before the end of the month.
November didn’t slow up for me either. I visited Singapore for the launch of the Audi R8 sportscar and that was a bizarre experience for me as Audi got the green light to run the a racing car down a public street for the first time in the country’s history so it was quite an eye opener for the Singaporeans in a country that will stage its first Formula One Grand Prix next September.
I drove a 1937 Auto Union C-Type, the one I drove at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006 which some of you may have seen, and a car capable of achieving over 200mph in the 1930s. I was not about to match that kind of speed down one of the main shopping streets in Singapore as what was interesting about this exercise was that the road wasn’t actually closed.
I had a police escort in front of me while behind was an Audi R8 sports-prototype, then an Audi quattro rallycar with the beautiful R8 sportscar bringing up the rear. Amazingly beside me was a public bus, crammed full of passengers, with cars queuing beside and behind us trying to go about their normal daily business. The enthusiasm was unbelievable, not only for what we did, but generally for motorsport as a whole. I think the country will take the Grand Prix to its heart next year.
From Singapore I went straight to Scotland to ‘celebrate’ Christmas with my family and friends. It might seem odd to celebrate Christmas a month early but it was the only time I could do it. Then it was to Essen in Germany for a press call at an annual Motor Show where Audi announced its 2008 motorsport programme. In addition to defending the DTM title with a brand new A4, three diesel-powered sportscars will contest the Le Mans 24 Hours and I’m delighted that I’ll be in one of them again alongside Dindo and Tom a the third consecutive year.
It’s also Audi’s intention to again be involved in the American Le Mans Series but also the Le Mans Series in Europe. If it all goes ahead, Audi is awaiting news on rules in ALMS and TV marketing in Europe, it’ll combine to be the most extensive factory involvement in the company’s history.
I personally find the prospect of Audi contesting the LMS very exciting as we could be head-to-head with Peugeot regularly and on some of the best circuits in Europe. I’d love to be part of that programme because a European championship title is still missing from off my CV. I’ve won three American championships from three attempts which is pretty good, however, I’d love to add an LMS title. I came very close to doing so in 2004 with Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx but ultimately our team-mates Johnny Herbert and Jamie Davies sneaked the title from Pierre Kaffer and I at the last race.
December sees a lot of prize-giving ceremonies. Whether it be the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) or Autosport Awards, both of which I attended in London, and also the Scottish Motor Racing Club dinner in Edinburgh. This year’s SMRC was very special as Sir Jackie Stewart was stepping down as President after 40 years. The club has existed in its present form since 1963 although it was part of the Border Motor Racing Club from 1956. Scotland only has a population of 5million but we’ve produced world champions in Formula One and rallying, F1 Grand Prix race winners, an IRL Champion, an Indy 500 race winner, Le Mans 24 Hour race winners, American Le Mans Series winners, Euro F3 champions, British F3 Champions, the list goes on and on. It’s incredible how many great drivers have come out of our wee country.
So I was extremely proud and honoured when the club and Jackie felt that I was the right person to take over the reins as President – especially when I reflect on the fact that the only other Presidents have been Reg Parnell and none other than Jim Clark. That’s a fair old line-up and a mighty set of shoes to step in to. It’s important that the opportunities are there in the future for Scottish drivers.
It was then back to Essen for the weekend. It’s a massive, two week show – like nothing we have in the UK – and all of the Audi drivers went back for the final weekend to meet fans and sign autographs, it’s a relaxed marketing event for us drivers – whether it be Audi’s sportscar drivers or those from DTM – and the bosses of Audi Sport, it’s good to get together in these surroundings.
I started preparing this final newsletter of the year on 16th December and finally I’d say the season has finished. I’ve got no more appointments, no more tests, no more marketing, no more press (although I do get a call the following day for an interview) . . . that’s the end of a long year.
So all that remains is for me to thank you for all of your support. Everyone who came along to my races in 2007, followed my progress on TV, radio or my website, my sincere thanks.
Best wishes
Allan
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