Audi made racing history on Saturday as its diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, becoming the first diesel car in the world to win a major sports car race. Audi used Sebring as a test for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, set for June 17-18.

Audi wants to use its diesel work in motorsport to increase its technology advantages in the commercial diesel engines. Every second Audi sold today is delivered with a TDI diesel engine.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03/audi_diesel_win.html

In America, almost the only diesels on the road are in big pickup trucks (used mostly for grocery store and daycare "pickup" runs) and in large commercial vehicles. In Europe, about half of new cars are diesels. An interesting contrast, and one that seems likely to narrow in coming years...