Photo: DTM Media

Race Preview: Round 6 at Zandvoort

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The DTM season continues at Zandvoort, Netherlands this weekend, with the top 5 drivers all within 10 points of each other. Jamie Green is currently second after a great win in the previous race at the Norisring. Zandvoort is located in the North Sea Dunes, only a short distance from the coast.

Previously at Zandvoort
In 2007 Zandvoort Audi completely dominated the race, finishing in the top 4 spots. Tomczyk won the race closely followed by Premat in second, Ekström in third and Scheider in 4th with only a few seconds splitting the top 4.

Season so far
Timo Scheider is the current leader but is only one point ahead of British driver Jamie Green who scored a win at the last race at the Norisring to score all 10 points. Currently at the half way point in the season, 5 drivers are currently within 10 points of each other, which makes for an exciting second half to come.

Quotes prior to the race
Jamie Green – Salzgitter AMG Mercedes C-Class
“Apart from my pole in 2006 and my fastest lap in 2007, I didn’t do much for my points account in Zandvoort. So it’s about time.”

Bruno Spengler – Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class
“I look forward to Zandvoort, an interesting and challenging circuit, and to the fans who create a great atmosphere there, like at the previous race in Nuremberg. A good qualifying performance is crucial, because overtaking is very difficult on this track with its long sweeping corners. The best would be to start there where I started at the Norisring recently.”

Mattias Ekström – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #1
“I’m looking forward to Zandvoort. I won my first DTM race there in 2002. I’ll be 30 years old there on race day and will try to give myself a perfect present.”

Martin Tomczyk – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #2
“Zandvoort was always an excellent hunting ground for Audi. I’ve got fond memories of it, especially as a result of the perfect team work last year. I hope that I can forget the misery of Norisring as quickly as possible and that things to run better for me again in Zandvoort.”

Tom Kristensen – Audi A4 DTM #9
“Zandvoort is a wonderful race track located in beautiful surroundings which remind me a little of Denmark. Audi is traditionally very strong on twisty circuits, which is why I’m looking forward to driving our 2008 A4 there. As our car will also be a little lighter, I can see the chance that the podium will be full of Audi drivers.”

Timo Scheider – GW: plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #10
“I’m looking for the dunes in Zandvoort enormously. I still have a score to settle there, especially as I took pole-position twice already. After dominating every practice session last year, I want to go one better this time and win the race as well. Our A4 should be very strong in Zandvoort.”

Alexandre Prémat – Audi Bank/Shell Helix Audi A4 DTM #14
“It’s very satisfying for me to come to Zandvoort again. It’s as good as a home race for me. I love the circuit and the atmosphere. I won there in Formula 3 and almost won the DTM race there last year. I’ve purposely saved extra tyres for Zandvoort. I hope it pays off.”

Oliver Jarvis – Best Buddies Audi A4 DTM #15
“I won the opening race of the A1GP season in Zandvoort last year and obviously have good memories. I can hardly wait to drive on a circuit that I know. I want to score big points!”

Schedule
09.00 – Seat Leon Supercopa Race
09.55 – Formula 3 Euro Series Race
10.50 – DTM warm up
11.15 – Event programme Audi Drive Away
11.20 – Event programme pit walk/taxi drives
11.55 – Event programme pit walk/event programme
12.20 – DTM information laps
12.30 – DTM start grid presentation
13.03 – DTM Race
14.15 – DTM podium ceremony
14.30 – DTM international press conference
15.00 – Porsche Carrera Cup Race