LOADED FOR BEAR; Audi isn't the first to try a diesel on the racetrack.(Competition)

Byline: DONALD DAVIDSON

Audi's plan to field a diesel-powered car in this year's Le Mans 24 Hour is causing word to spread that this will be the world's first diesel-powered race car.

Not exactly.

Besides the diesels that race across the Dakar desert or up Pikes Peak, how about the nonstop run by a Cummins diesel in the 1931 Indianapolis 500, or Fred Agabashian's accomplishment there in 1952 that saw a Cummins sit on the pole?

In the summer of 1930 Clessie Cummins of the Columbus, Indiana-based firm approached Eddie Rickenbacker about taking advantage of the new rules designed to encourage the return of auto manufacturers to the famed venue, recently dominated by pure racing cars. Cummins believed one of his truck engines could run all day; his concern was that it would be fast enough to qualify.

Rickenbacker was in a position to get things done. Not only was he the new owner of the track, he was also chairman of the American Automobile Association's contest board, which sanctioned the 500 and made the rules. "Turn four qualifying laps in excess of 80 mph,'' said Captain Eddie, "and we'll include you in the field regardless.''

Dave Evans put the Cummins-powered Duesenberg chassis in the show (40 starters rather than 33) at 96.871 mph and then traveled the entire distance without a stop, taking the checker 37 minutes after the winner. His average for 200 laps-86.107 mph-was faster than Rickenbacker had required for four.