Dow Automotive, a major technology and solutions provider to the global auto industry, will be supporting Audi Sport as they seek a second straight diesel victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month. Last year, Audi rewrote the record books with a first ever victory for a diesel powered sports car in the French classic. The Audi R10 TDI utilizes some of the most advanced diesel engineering in the world, including the Dow Automotive Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system. Between the first race in 2006 and the first race of 2007 the Dow engineers and scientists reduced the size and weight of the DPF by approximately 40% with no decrease in performance.    

The Audi team, faced with increased competition and for the first time since their triple victory in 2002, will have three factory cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team has made a strong start in the 2007 American Le Mans Series season, including a second consecutive win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and five straight LMP1 class wins with the Audi R10 TDI.

Dow Automotive is working to advance diesel technology and enable it to become one of the major global solutions for increased overall vehicle efficiency. “We are committed to supporting the Le Mans defending champions,” said Peter Sykes, president of Dow Automotive. “Our work in reducing the size and weight of the DPF demonstrates the capabilities of our engineers and scientists. Our efforts have saved total system weight, and in racing weight equals performance.” Working with the Audi Sport team enables Dow Automotive to raise its R&D efforts to the highest standards, and helps the Company come closer to bringing this technology to street cars in the very near future.

“We are glad to continue this successful partnership into our second 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Audi R10 TDI,” says Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport. “Dow Automotive has shown tremendous commitment in our joint R&D quest for the lightest and smallest DPF with the lowest possible back-pressure.”

Dow Automotive’s DPF technology is one of the primary elements of the Audi R10 TDI powertrain. Dow Automotive DPFs are specifically designed to meet the stringent Audi Sport performance requirements and are lightweight, compact and contribute to lower overall vehicle mass. The DPF produce very low back pressure which enables maximum engine power, torque performance and fuel efficiency while dramatically reducing particulate emissions. These benefits are validated in the extreme conditions generated by endurance racing including extremely high operating temperatures, mass flows and ramp rates.

Advancing DPF technology is one of two major Dow Automotive development programs in top-level motor sports. In the other initiative, Dow Automotive has been selected as the sole provider of energy absorbing foam by NASCAR. The company’s IMPAXX™ energy absorbing foam is now mandated for use in every new Car of Tomorrow chassis that is being introduced into Nextel Cup racing this year.

About Dow Automotive

Dow Automotive is a leading global provider of technology-driven solutions that meet consumer demands for vehicles that are safer, stronger, quieter, lighter, cleaner, more comfortable and stylish. The organization provides plastics, adhesives, glass bonding systems, sealants, emissions control technology, films, fluids and structural enhancement and acoustical management solutions to OEM, tier and aftermarket customers around the world. For additional information about Dow Automotive products, services, and application development centers, visit www.dowautomotive.com.

About Audi Sport

Since Audi revolutionized rally sport at the beginning of the 1980s with the quattro drive, AUDI AG underlines that the company slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” is to be taken literally with their exceptional motorsport successes. AUDI AG positions itself as the sportiest manufacturer in the premium-class segment, demonstrating this with a particularly extensive and ambitious motorsport commitment: Audi is the first automotive manufacturer to win in both the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring with a diesel engine. Parallel to this involvement, a total of ten Audi A4 DTM cars raced the DTM, one of the most popular racing series alongside Formula 1.

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