REMEMBER WHEN…? As Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen hangs up his helmet, we take a look back at that first victory for Audi – his second outright at La Sarthe – 14 years ago in 2000.
And so, after a top-flight career spanning nearly 20 years, titles in the World Endurance Championship, American Le Mans Series, Japanese and German Formula 3, tenures in DTM, Formula 3000 and the British Touring Car Championship, and a record nine victories from 18 race starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tom Kristensen has finally decided to hang up his helmet. Couple six outright wins at the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring with his formidable record at La Sarthe, and Kristensen’s is a legacy that is unlikely to be bettered.
What better time then to dust off some archive footage from the rarely-melancholy Dane’s illustrious history, namely his win at the 2000 Le Mans. The first of three wins in the Audi Sport Team Joest R8 with teammates Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, the 2000 race was Kristensen’s first win at Le Mans since his success with the Joest Racing TWR Porsche WSC-95 in 1997. It was also the win that began Audi’s remarkable roll at Le Mans.
Following the withdrawal of official manufacturer entries from BMW and Toyota, the 2000 event was a walkover for Audi, the R8s filling the podium and crossing the finish line more than 20 laps ahead of their nearest rivals (Pescarolo Sport in fourth). Not that the boys from Ingolstadt took it easy on each other though…
Source – lemanslegend
