Abt offer Pirro / Biela drives

pink69 · 14 Nov 2002, 23:22 (Ref:428847)

The Abt Sportline team have offered ALMS refugee's Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela a drive if one can't get another sportscar drive next season. Hans-Jurgen said "There is always one car open to Dr.Ullrich if he needs one" It would be good for the series to have one of the pair back, my gut feeling points towards Biela over Pirro but we'll have to see as neither have been approached about a drive in the DTM yet.

rdjones · 14 Nov 2002, 23:27 (Ref:428851)

Oh it Thrusday - Hang I read that at 9 'o' clock this morning at work..........

SFonseca · 15 Nov 2002, 10:33 (Ref:429044)

Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela are two touring cars top drivers. Abt Sportline will be team to beat in DTM 2003. Go Go Audi!!

racer69 · 15 Nov 2002, 10:56 (Ref:429062)

Hopefully they find some way to have both. Who would go though? Or would they add another car or two?

SFonseca · 15 Nov 2002, 13:15 (Ref:429179)

Karl Wendlinger is out of Abt team, correct?

kmchow · 15 Nov 2002, 19:45 (Ref:429459)

Has anyone bought the '02 spec Audis? Will Audi be building new cars for '03? Sponsorship aside, if they build new '03 cars, then there are seats for both Biela and Pirro?

SALEEN S7R · 15 Nov 2002, 21:45 (Ref:429528)

I find it hard to belive IF Audi dont continue their efforts in the 2003 ALMS series and Le Mans campaign that Biela and Pirro wont get drives in another LMP car. I dont know maybe im being too sceptical about this but do the DTM drivers get paid as much as the ALMS LMP900 drivers do?

Its been rumored the factory Audi Drivers in the ALMS earn as much as $350,000 a year. I mean without being nasty the Audi drivers are used to big money and I just wonder if they would get the same in the DTM?

MaxSport · 15 Nov 2002, 22:10 (Ref:429545)

What drives in LMP do you think they will get? Perhaps you know of some projects that nobody else knows about?

They may have no option but to race in DTM. I would think that whatever they are being paid by Audi in the ALMS is would be what they would get for racing in the DTM.

kmchow · 15 Nov 2002, 22:34 (Ref:429562)

Again, it seems sad to see Audi give up Biela/Pirro to another team. Call me sentimental or old fashioned, but the appeal of a lifetime manufacturer/driver association really appeals.

But if Audi is cutting back on everything, why not increase their support of the DTM? So I guess Audi wants to save money? Or are they saving money for some other motorsport activity--say the rumored F1 team??? Why the sudden frugality? Tougher competition? Tougher economic times? They have already achieved their objective of making Audi a "sporty marque"??

SALEEN S7R · 15 Nov 2002, 23:01 (Ref:429590)

Audi have recently made a announcement rubbishing the rumors of them becoming the owners of the Arrows F1 team, shame that as I think they have the potential to do really well, maybe not with the same drivers but with younger top line drivers they may stand a chance.

Michael H · 16 Nov 2002, 10:49 (Ref:429826)

Maybe Biela or Pirro will race in the STCC in the new Super 2000 Audi A4's that are being built. (!!!!)

SALEEN S7R · 16 Nov 2002, 12:54 (Ref:429898)

STCC? I thought that was abolished, and what is left is the ETCC? Is this a new series which I havent heard about? If so could you please give me a link to the site? I know the link to the old STCC is www.eurostc.com which is now home to the ETCC.

redshoes · 16 Nov 2002, 15:30 (Ref:429955)

STCC is the Swedish Touring Car Championship (www.stcc.se)
ETCC is the European Touring Car Championship, or as it was known last year European Super Touring Championship (hence www.eurostc.com).

STCC is alive and well, and will be adopting ETCC-style regulations next year

SALEEN S7R · 16 Nov 2002, 15:41 (Ref:429965)

Oh right ok, sorry Id just never heard of it before now. To me the only STCC that ever existed was the Super touring car championship which is now the ETCC. Living in the UK we get no coverage of any touring car championships other than DTM, BTCC and ETCC.

Thanks for the info.

racer69 · 17 Nov 2002, 11:55 (Ref:430477)

Quote:

Originally posted by SALEEN S7R
I find it hard to belive IF Audi dont continue their efforts in the 2003 ALMS series and Le Mans campaign that Biela and Pirro wont get drives in another LMP car. I dont know maybe im being too sceptical about this but do the DTM drivers get paid as much as the ALMS LMP900 drivers do?

Its been rumored the factory Audi Drivers in the ALMS earn as much as $350,000 a year. I mean without being nasty the Audi drivers are used to big money and I just wonder if they would get the same in the DTM?

It depends whether they want to stay loyal to the manufacturer or whether they want to stay with Sportscars. I think the DTM can pay big bucks can't it? Though i'm not sure the private Abt team can.

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