Allan McNish begins his quest for the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship title in the season-opening six hour race at Silverstone on Sunday (14 April).The Scotsman and Tom Kristensen (DK) are joined by Loc Duval (F) in a hybrid-diesel Audi R18 e-tron quattro for all eight races spanning four continents including the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.Dumfries-born McNish bids for his fourth and Audis fifth victory in the corresponding Silverstone race which sees the coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy awarded to the race winners for the first time.McNish commented: This years race will have a different feel due to it [unusually] being the first round of the championship, the fact that its in April and the RAC Tourist Trophy is up for grabs.The weather is likely to play a key role. Its going to be changeable with rain almost a certainty which would suit our R18 e-tron quattro. It will definitely be colder than what weve experienced at Silverstone in either late August or September making tyre choice more difficult.Im looking forward to immediately getting stuck in to this years WEC and very excited to begin with a race on home turf Ill be aiming to make it a perfect start.The outright race winners collect the RAC Tourist Trophy which has been an integral part of British motor racing for over 100 years. It would make me very proud to lift the trophy.Its the first time it has been presented for a sports-prototype race at Silverstone while a Dane has never won it so Tom [Kristensen] will be determined as will of course our new co-driver Loc Duval.2011 & 12 Le Mans 24 Hour race winners and current FIA World Endurance Champions, Marcel Fssler (CH), Andr Lotterer (D) and Benot Trluyer (F), pilot the second Audi Sport Team Joest R18 e-tron quattro.Audi has optimised the R18 e-tron quattro for 2013The output of the electric motors have been increased to more than 80 kilowatts delivering over 218hp transmitted through its front axle above 75mph at four specific zones around Silverstones 3.67-mile Grand Prix track using power harvested under braking.A change in regulations dictating a smaller diameter air restrictor, now limits the 3.7-litre, V6 TDI engine to deliver approximately 490hp.The distinctive body features numerous refined details compared to last years WEC & Le Mans winning car. The aerodynamicists have designed the entire air flow for higher efficiency from the front flic to the rear wing, from the radiator to the tail pipe while winglets complement the contour of the rear wing. The side pod openings and turning vanes behind the front wheels feature a new design.The minimum weight is now 915kg and thanks to Audis ultra lightweight technology, the R18 now has more latitude for ballast and its positioning.Last year, a roof-mounted camera was fitted covering the area behind the R18, transmitting images to an AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emission Diode) display in the cockpit. A new driver assistance system includes two roof-mounted cameras pointing forward. They improve the driver's view from the cockpit.Meanwhile Audi has moved on to the next level in lighting technology. After its pioneering role on introducing LED headlights, matrix beam technology now marks the next step. It allows the light cone to be controlled for better illumination of the field of vision when the car turns.Allan comments on SilverstoneThe circuit layout has changed in recent years but the new parts of the track are maturing as the new tarmac weathers in and subsequently gets faster. The new Turn 1 was very bumpy initially but now its smoother and is basically flat out.There are only three real overtaking opportunities when racing a sports-prototype of a similar speed going into Club, Luffield and Stowe unlike the GT cars that Im trying to pass as soon as possible at the earliest safe point on the track. The race will be an exciting one from start to finish of that I have no doubt.Timetable & Championship detailsFriday 12 April: Practice (1225-1355 & 1625-1755)Saturday 13 April: Practice (0900-1000), Qualifying (1240-1300)Sunday 14 April: Race (1200-1800)Entry: 31-cars Points: In the order of 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 are awarded for the top-10 places (6 Hours races). Points doubled at Le Mans. Additionally, one point for pole-position (qualifying format is new for all races except Le Mans in 2013 with two drivers per car now undertaking at least two timed laps. An average lap time is then calculated using the fastest two laps completed by each driver).Audi Silverstone 6 Hours (or 1,000km) Formguide (Dbut: 2000 10 podiums including 4 wins from 8 races)2000: 3rd (McNish/Capello) Audi R8R. Also 5th (Biela/Pirro).2004*: 1st (McNish/Kaffer) Audi R8. Also 2nd (Ara/Capello) & 3rd (Davies/Herbert).2005*: 1st (McNish/Ortelli) Audi R8.2008: 1st (McNish/Capello) Audi R10 TDI. Also 4th (Premat/Rockenfeller).2009*: 5th (Albers/Bakkerud) Audi R10 TDI. Also 6th (Karthikeyan/Meyrick/Zwolsman).2010: 3rd (Bernhard/Capello) Audi R15 TDI.2011: 2nd (Bernhard/Fssler) Audi R18 TDI. Also 6th (McNish/Kristensen).2012: 1st (Fssler/Lotterer/Trluyer) Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Also 3rd (McNish/Kristensen) Audi R18 ultra).Allan McNish Silverstone 6 Hours (or 1,000km) Formguide (Sportscar dbut: 2000 5 podiums including 3 wins from 7 races). In addition to racing sportscars at Silverstone, Allan has also raced Formulae Ford, Vauxhall Lotus, Three, 3000 & One at the British venue.2000: 3rd (Qualified 4th, AM).Shared lead for over half the race but R8R, marking first UK appearance of an Audi sportscar, broke rear suspension on last lap.2004*: 1st (Qualified 3rd, AM).Comfortable victory earning R8 first win on its UK race debut.2005*: 1st (Qualified 4th, AM).Opening lap half-spin & pit-lane exit hold fails to prevent last-gasp victory in a rain-effected race.2008: 1st (Qualified 3rd, AM).R10 TDI marked first UK appearance of a diesel-engined Audi sportscar and a two-lap winning margin. Contact with another car sent Capello into gravel trap at Copse with just over 1hr on clock dropping to 19th after pit-stop to change punctured tyre.2010: Retired (Qualified 1st, AM).McNish achieved R15 TDIs maiden pole, his first pole in three years and his first at Silverstone since 1990 but differential problem 30mins into race when placed second caused first R15 TDI retirement due to a technical failure, the first for Audi Sport Team Joest in over four years and the first for McNish since him becoming an Audi driver in 2000.2011: 6th (Qualified 2nd, AM).Collision with slower GT car in opening hour cost six laps for repairs and dropped to 44th.2012: 3rd (Qualified 2nd, AM).Ran 3rd almost throughout - slow puncture combined with Safety Car period put McNish one lap down after two hours.* Denotes customer team