Audi claims historic Michelin Green X Challenge

Audi made Michelin Green X Challenge history here at the Twelve Hours of Sebring, becoming the first hybrid powered vehicle to claim victory in America’s premier environmental motorsports competition.
 
The victory completed a sweep for Audi’s R18 e-tron Quattro that combines a turbo diesel engine with electric wheel motors energized by a flywheel storage system.  The Audi prototype had previously won both the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship before capturing yesterday’s Twelve Hours of Sebring and Michelin Green X Challenge.
 
“Audi was the first to win the Michelin Green X Challenge and the Twelve Hours of Sebring with diesel power, and now their success with the Audi e-tron Quattro further demonstrates that innovative technologies can be fast, clean and efficient,” said Silvia Mammone, motorsports marketing manager, Michelin North America.
 
The victory was the fourth for Audi in the five-year history of the Michelin Green X Challenge and the 33rd time that an American Le Mans Series race winner has also claimed the environmental honors. The winning Audi was driven by Marcel Fassler, Benoit Treluyer and Oliver Jarvis.
 
Taking the Michelin Green X Challenge GT class honors was the Houston-based Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia driven by Olivier Beretta, Gianmaria Bruni and Matteo Malucelli. The team’s Ferrari finished second in the fiercely contested GT class, surrendering the class lead with just ten minutes remaining in the 12-hour race.
 
About the Michelin Green X Challenge
The Michelin Green X Challenge is now in its fifth season as part of the American Le Mans Series, the only series currently recognized as “Green Racing” by the U. S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International.
 
The Michelin Green X Challenge trophies are presented to the respective Prototype and GT winners. The bases for the unique Michelin Green X Challenge trophies are made of rubber recycled from Michelin Green X labeled consumer tires.