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Ex-Audi motorsport boss Ullrich takes up Le Mans/ACO advisory role

Former Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich has become a consultant to the organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hours and promoter of the World Endurance Championship.

The Automobile Club de l'Ouest has recruited Ullrich as a special advisor in the wake of his retirement from Audi Sport after 24 years' service last December.

ACO president Pierre Fillon said: "He has accepted our invitation to join the ACO - Dr Ullrich is going to bring his expertise and talents as a special advisor."

Ullrich, 67, described sportscar racing as his "first love" and said he would be providing his "knowledge to offer another perspective".

"I will be bringing all my experience of working for a manufacturer and being part of all the working groups to help the championship," he told Autosport.

"My objective is to find a way to make sure endurance racing remains as important as it does today."

Ullrich joined Audi as its motorsport boss in late 1993 and initially oversaw a string of successes in the Super Touring tin-top category around the world.

He subsequently took the German manufacturer into the prototype arena in 1999, a move that yielded 13 victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Austrian stood down as head of motorsport at the end of 2016, while remaining on board during a hand-over period to successor Dieter Gass.

He will also be undertaking a lecturing role at his alma mater, Vienna University.

Zdroj: autosport.com