Norisring: A track like no other
The 2.3-kilometre street circuit located in the heart of Nuremberg doesn’t offer the DTM drivers the slightest chance of having a breather while being extremely gruelling for the material at the same time. While contesting round five of the 2008 DTM season, cars and drivers will have to lap the second-shortest race track on the DTM calendar 74 times. The only circuit where the supporters can watch their heroes driving past even more often is Brands Hatch.
Slip-stream battles on the unusually wide straights combined with ongoing outbraking manoeuvres while approaching the sophisticated, chicane-like corner combinations and the unique 180-degree hairpin have turned the Norisring race into a legendary event for both motor-racing enthusiasts and drivers. And due to this extraordinary track characteristic, a special and thorough preparation for the race on the street circuit is a must for every team.
Therefore, both Audi and Mercedes-Benz have executed extensive closed test sessions since mid-May. Mercedes-Benz tested on the EuroSpeedway Lausitz that offers the opportunity to copy different circuits while Audi opted for testing at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) and an airport in Saxony-Anhalt. The main tasks the engineers and drivers arguably had to cope with while testing: changes regarding the brakes, fine tuning in the areas traction and turn-in response as well as handling while going over bumps.
