Following the Audi R10 TDI's victorious debut at the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA), AUDI AG has re-defined its programme for the remaining races of the 2006 American Le Mans Series.

After the fifth round at Salt Lake City on 15th July, the two Audi R10 TDI prototypes will compete in this important sports car racing series. The driver pairings will consist of Dindo Capello/Allan McNish and Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro.

With an intensive test programme scheduled for the Audi R10s leading up to the season's highpoint at Le Mans on 17th and 18th June, the cars will then be prepared for the US programme. In the meantime, Audi Sport North America team will rely on the proven Audi R8 for the races in Houston (12th May), Mid-Ohio (21st May) and Lime Rock (1st July). Dindo Capello and Allan McNish will share the R8, which has claimed 61 wins from 77 races to date.

All four Audi "factory" drivers are amongst the most successful in the American Le Mans Series. Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro have both won the championship twice (Pirro in 2001 and 2005, Biela in 2003 and 2005), and Allan McNish won the title in 2000. Dindo Capello was runner-up twice and with 15 race wins, is one of the most successful drivers in the 'top-flight' LM P1. Capello and McNish, who formed a strong driver squad in the 2000 season, are now reunited.

"It wasn't easy to decide which of our six Le Mans drivers should compete in the American Le Mans Series," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

"All six have proven just how good they are at the wheel of the Audi R8 and the R10 TDI. It was important that Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro would compete again as defending champions. On the other hand Dindo Capello and Allan McNish won thee race at Sebring and have clocked up valuable championship points. And considering the strong competition involved, every point counts," said Dr Ullrich.

Tom Kristensen will focus on the DTM in 2006 and Marco Werner, who won the title in 2003 and 2004, is currently involved in the Audi R10 TDI development programme. Werner will contest the Le Mans 24-Hour race with Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro and will head up the team to compete in any additional outings in the R10 TDI.

The second round of the American Le Mans Series will be held on 12th May 2006 on a street circuit in Houston, Texas (USA).