A Birthday Present from Akrapovič!
Please indulge me in a post that is really just a treat for my Dad’s birthday (and any other male or racing fans that happen to read my blog).
I recently received a press release from Akrapovič, a Slovenian maker of high performance exhaust systems for racecars and motorcycles. I have no idea why they sent it to me. Perhaps it was because I did an organizing theme on cars and driving once.
First, off, here is one example of the ϋber cool nature of their business, which, not unimportantly, involves creating the sound of speed:
For those like me who know nothing about racing, I am going to reorganize Akrapovic’s press release into a series of questions and teach us something about organization as well.
Tell us about Akrapovič
Akrapovič, the leading manufacturer of premium performance exhaust systems for motorcycles and cars, has a history of racing success. Throughout its 21 years of business, Akrapovič has partnered more than 60 World Champions.
What is your latest project?
After supplying the exhaust systems for Audi Sport since 2009, Akrapovič will become an official Audi Sport partner for the first time in the 2012 season.
For 2012, the inaugural year of the newly-formed FIA World Endurance Championship, Audi Sport will be going full out to secure the championship title with Akrapovič as one of their partners – and net a hat trick of wins at the prestigious Le Mans race along the way.
. . .
“A wealth of engineering experience and the very latest technology goes into every exhaust we make. The fact Audi has chosen Akrapovič once again reflects the performance levels of our products and manufacturing skills of the entire Akrapovič team.
“We’re proud to be working with Audi again and are confident this dynamic duo will make be a force to be reckoned with during the FIA World Endurance Championship.”
Side question to Wikipedia: What is Le Mans?
“The 24 Hours of Le Mans (French: 24 Heures du Mans) is the world’s oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars’ ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining mechanical damage to the car and manage the cars’ consumables, primarily fuel, tyres and braking materials. The endurance of the drivers is likewise tested as drivers frequently spend stints of over two hours behind the wheel before stopping in the pits and allowing a relief driver to take over the driving duties. Drivers then grab what food and rest they can before returning to drive another stint. Today it is mandated that three drivers share each competing vehicle.”
–“24 Hours of Le Mans,” Wikipedia.
Side question to Audi: Can you show us an example from last year’s race?
What innovative technology are you planning for the 2012 race?
Audi’s new R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra endurance weapons are indeed a beautiful creation loaded with unparalleled technology – technology that typifies the German manufacturer’s famed slogan ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’. (Side question to Google translator: What? “Progress through Technology”) Of course, being a partner to Audi sport, this means Akrapovič had to bring its technical development and manufacturing experience to the fore with a specially designed Akrapovič exhaust system.
Crafted from a specialised titanium alloy, the high-performance system is 40 percent lighter than a stainless steel equivalent to further enhance the performance and handling of the Audi R18s. The special alloy material also has outstanding heat-resistant properties and durability – both crucial in the punishing field of endurance racing. The system is then tuned to the race car´s engine to enable it to use its full performance arsenal.
How do you organize the design process when building a high-performance racecar?
The Akrapovič exhaust used on the Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the Audi R18 ultra is created by Akrapovič engineers working with their peers at Audi Sport right from the initial design phase, through to production, on to testing and, finally, race support. This stringent process is similar to that used to create the Akrapovič range of aftermarket exhausts – available for selected Audi models and other high performance brands.
Uros Rosa, Akrapovič Technical Director said: “After being involved in two successive victories in the 24 hour Le Mans with Audi Sport, we’re aiming to build on our success in 2012. Our exhaust has been crafted to meet and surpass incredibly high demands of endurance racing. We’ve worked with Audi every step of the way to develop a system which is perfectly suited to the car’s performance’’
So cool, eh? The 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans race will be held July 6-8, 2012. Best wishes to Audi and Akrapovič!