Oliver Jarvis makes his endurance sportscar race debut when he competes for the Audi 'customer' team, Kolles, in Japan (31 Oct & 1 Nov).

The 25 year old will drive a diesel-engined Audi R10 TDI in two, 500km races on consecutive days at Okayama.  Audi's pioneering R10 TDI made history in 2006 by becoming the first sportscar to win the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours powered by a diesel engine, the first of three consecutive victories, and Oliver is excited about the prospect of racing one. 

 "I tested an R10 TDI once earlier this year in Italy but didn't get as many laps as had been intended. I completed about 40 miles in the car and it was an amazing experience.  The torque of the V12 turbocharged diesel engine is just incredible.  My aim will be to learn as much about the R10 TDI and sports car racing in general but I don't see any reason why we can't be on a podium or even fighting for the win." 

While driving the Audi R10 will be a steep learning curve for Jarvis, the Audi Sport 'factory' driver will actually be reacquainting himself to racing again in Japan and this particular 11 corner, 2.3 mile venue in the Chugoku region. 

"I last raced in Japan at the end of the Formula 3 season in 2007,"continued Oliver who lies 9th overall in the current DTM standings but is second highest driver in a year old car. 

"During my year in Japan, I had numerous race victories and I then went on to win the prestigious Macau Grand Prix with the TOM's team.  I have raced at Okayama during my time in Japan and it is a track I enjoyed.  I qualified on the front row and finished second in the race. 

"The Asia Le Mans races will be difficult, especially with my limited experience, but I hope that I can adapt quickly.  Sharing a car with another driver (Christian Bakkerud) will be a new experience for me.  It will be important for Christian and I to get a 'set-up' of the car that both of us are comfortable with when we're behind the wheel. Every driver likes to have a car handling in a certain way and so often it's a compromise in terms of the two drivers meeting somewhere in the middle of their ideals." 

 After the American Le Mans series launched in 1999 on the North American continent and the creation of the European Series in 2004, the ACO is officially launching the Asian Le Mans Series with the first two races taking place at Okayama.  The 500km races will last a maximum of three hours and have attracted a 23-car entry.