Race Updates

Garrett Turbos Continue to Dominate Le Mans

June 14, 2009

Garrett Turbochargers continues 11-year streak of overall victories without a failure.

Le Mans (FRANCE) - The epic battle between prototype powerhouses Audi and Peugeot continued last weekend in Motorsports' most grueling contest, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Audi, with their new trio of R15 turbo diesels, were going head-to-head against the tried and true 908 turbo diesels of Peugeot. Beneath the sumptuous carbon fiber skin of each were Garrett TR30R turbochargers breathing air into the powerful oil-burners. Audi held the advantage at Le Mans with newer technology and a 9-year winning streak at the fabled track

This, however, would be the year that the Lion took the win over the Rings. After several mechanical problems including its fuel pump, the #3 Audi R15 was out of contention and the #2 had crashed, it was up to Audi's #1 car to close in on the distance being made by Peugeot's top two teams of drivers. As the Audi began to lap faster than the 908's, it seemed that the top podium spot could still be within reach. Then, a rear suspension failure resulted in a 15 minute pit stop that effectively ended Audi's chances of a win.

Peugeot had finally brought back a Le Mans win to its home country, finishing first and second in LMP1! Audi rounded out the podium in the third spot.

All 18 Garrett Turbochargers found on the 9 turbo diesels in the prototype class made it through the most grueling endurance race on the planet. Another 6 turbos on the Mazda gasoline-powered cars performed flawlessly. This continues the perfect record of 11 consecutive Le Mans overall victories using Garrett Turbochargers without a single turbo failure. This includes not only Audi and Peugeot, but Toyota, Cadillac, MG and Mazda