Allan McNish claimed a third American Le Mans Series championship career title when the Scotsman steered his diesel-powered Audi to a second consecutive Petit Le Mans victory at Road Atlanta last night (SAT).

The 37-year-old Scotsman has now won the North American endurance sportscar series titles in 2000, 2006 and 2007 - the same years he has triumphed in the prestigious annual 1,000-mile race.

Allan commented: "I'm very, very proud of this race victory considering the fight we faced and obstacles that were put in front of us - a perfect way to win the Drivers' title again. Petit Le Mans is a long event not only for a car and its drivers but the entire team and everyone played a major part in this victory.

"I couldn't avoid hitting a spinning backmarker and then had a deflating rear tyre which necessitated two pit-stops. Dindo and I opened up a one lap lead after seven hours but a full course caution brought the Porsche back into contention but that's endurance racing. Audi are back on the very top of the rostrum and there is no better way for Dindo and I to have won a second consecutive title, our third ALMS title in total."

Having clinched an eighth successive ALMS Manufacturers' title, McNish now bids to sign off in style with victory in the 12th and final round staged at Laguna Seca in California on 20 October. – 7 October 2007