Audi heads to Lausitz as leaders
The first two races of the 2007 DTM have demonstrated just how rarefied the atmosphere is in the most popular international touring car race series. Almost every driver in the 20 car field has a chance of finishing on the podium. The smallest details are the difference between victory and defeat. It is already plain to see that every point will count in the title battle.
The next clash between the spectacular touring cars is staged between the 18 and 20 May at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. 76,000 spectators poured through the gates last year. In 2007, the motorsport fans can look forward to a modified first corner which should encourage overtaking – and something exceptional to savour: Mattias Ekström, EuroSpeedway winner in 2005, goes head to head in a drag race with his Audi A4 DTM against the Red Bull Formula 1 car. The “Puhdys”, the new German States’ most famous rock group, are charged with livening things up before the start.
Audi driver Mattias Ekström arrives at the EuroSpeedway as championship leader aims to the leave the Lausitz as front runner. However, this is easier said than done: His team mate Martin Tomczyk (Germany) and Paul di Resta (Scotland) are both equal on points at the head of the table with the Swede, who actually leads the championship as a result of his better individual results. Gary Paffett (Great Britain) trails by a single point.
Because the new Audi A4 DTM was more successful than the new Mercedes C-Class at the first two races it is by far the heaviest car in the field – as stipulated by the regulations. As a result, the year-old cars, which compete with less weight, could again play a starring role. At Oschersleben, in only his second DTM race, the 23-year old Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller (Germany) demonstrated exactly what is possible with an Audi used car – the youngster showed a two-time Formula 1 World Champion absolutely no respect on his way to claiming a joyful podium position.
It still remains to be seen whether Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Alexandre Prémat (France) can make their comebacks at the EuroSpeedway. Both are still recovering from the affects of a heavy accident during the season opener at Hockenheim. A decision will be made following consultation with the doctors in the week of the race.
Things really heat-up for the first time at the EuroSpeedway on Saturday (19 May) at 1:30 p.m. in the three-part “shoot out” qualifying session. The race starts on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ARD TV broadcasts both events live as usual on “Das Erste”.
