The "Mid Ohio Sports Car Course” close to Lexington in Ohio State plays host to the American Le Mans Series on 21 July. The 3.634-kilometre (2.258 miles) long circuit lies picturesquely among the hills and is regarded as one of the most challenging in the USA. The track was resurfaced two years ago. Audi factory driver Dindo Capello talks about the peculiarities of the circuit.
 
You’ve already raced three times at Mid Ohio (2001, 2002 and 2006). What’s you impression of the circuit?
"Mid Ohio is a beautiful circuit. Like many American circuits this one runs uphill and down-dale. Our car should suit this circuit a little better than the last track at Lime Rock, even though it is not one of the fast tracks which we really look forward to. I mean circuits like Road America and Road Atlanta where our R10 TDI, which is designed and built for Le Mans, can really stretch its legs.”
 
Is it an advantage that the Mid Ohio circuit was resurfaces two years ago?
"Mid Ohio is much smoother than Lime Rock, there are less bumps. Unfortunately, there aren’t any really fast corners, but only medium speed and slow ones. However, we’ve surprised a few people this year already and were quick around circuits on which we hardly expected to have any chance whatsoever, for example in St Petersburg and Houston.”

Which is the most spectacular part on the circuit at Mid Ohio?
"From the driver’s point of view there are several spectacular and interesting places. The jump over the crest is particularly exciting. From the cockpit you feel that the car leaves the ground, which is quite a unique experience with a prototype. However, you have to be careful because the jump is followed immediately by an important braking point which you definetly shouldn’t miss. I’ve seen the most accidents at Mid Ohio at this point.”
 
Is it a disadvantage not having any previous test data from Mid Ohio with the R10 TDI?
"It’s always a disadvantage not to have tested at a circuit beforehand. The race last year was also one of the toughest that we ever completed with the Audi R8. This was, however, mainly due to the sudden drop in temperature after qualifying. The tyres that were available just simply didn’t get up to temperature on race day. It was particularly bad after the Safety Car periods. But we shouldn’t have such problems this year.”