DTM to make donation to German flood victims
The DTM and its organiser, the ITR, has made €300,000 available for the victims of the floods in the Eastern German towns of Meissen, Pirna and Herzberg.
The ITR chairman, Hans Werner Aufrecht, explained that the decision was taken to help the affected Sachsen and Brandenburg regions with immediate effect, as the DTM holds two races in the area; one at the Lausitzring which takes place this weekend, then another in Oschersleben in September.
“Witnessing the violence and destructive power water can have is just stupefying,” said Aufrecht.
“In Sachsen and Brandenburg, the flood catastrophe destroys entire existences from one day to the other and many affected families are faced with sudden ruin.
“In consideration of these impressions, we can’t just close our eyes to solely focus on a car race. DTM can help and it will help.
“We wanted to make a small contribution that has got what it takes to make the cleanup and the new start for the flood victims at least slightly easier.
“Therefore, we will provide the cities Meissen, Pirna and Herzberg with €100,000 each.”
Mercedes motorsport director, Toto Wolff, also believes it is the manufacturers’ duty to show solidarity for the affected regions.
“When we go racing at the Lausitzring next week, [the] ITR – and consequently we [Mercedes-Benz] as one of the manufacturers involved – wants to make a small contribution to help ease the consequences of this natural disaster.
“This is to demonstrate our solidarity with the three communities located in the area of the circuit that have been struck particularly hard by the flood.”
BMW and Audi motorsport bosses, Jens Marquardt and Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, have also released similar statements.
On the Friday before the race, June 14th, the ITR’s deputy chairman, Dr. Thomas Betzler, will travel to each of the towns to present their mayors with the €100,000 cheques.
