Race Preview: Nürburgring for Round 7

The DTM series continues this weekend at the Nürburgring. The Nürburgring is located in the Eifel Region in a low mountain range that borders Belgium and Luxembourg. Nürburgring features an evening race this weekend to prevent conflicts with the Tour De France as reported earlier on touringcartimes.com. The Nürburgring is well known for its F1 races, DTM uses the short layout.

Previously at the Nürburgring
The Nürburgring was featured on the 2007 calendar later in the year in early September rather than it’s 2008 slot in late July. Both Audi and Mercedes were well matched. Two Audi’s made the podium but were split by the AMG Mercedes of Spengler. Tomczyk won the race by 6.217s to Spengler who was then followed by Ekström, however he was further back with a gap of 20.535s.

The season so far
Timo Scheider is currently leading the championship standings having won 1 race and placing second in 3 other races. Mattias Ekström is 5 points behind Scheider on 35 points. Ekström has won two races however his other results have been less impressive. Jamie Green is only 1 point further behind also scoring two wins this season so far. The current top 4 in the championship all have at least 1 win this season, and with 5 races still to go including this weekends, the 2008 season is wide open.

Quotes prior to the race
Bruno Spengler – Mercedes-Benz Bank AMG C-Class
“I won at the Nürburgring in 2006 and last year I finished second. I like this track. It would be great if I could reduce the gap to the top of the ranking at this circuit.”

Ralf Schumacher – Trilux AMG Mercedes C-Class
“Although my Formula 1 victory in the Eifel Mountains happened five years ago, I still have good memories of the great atmosphere there. Of course, there are only a few things my 2003 Grand Prix car and my DTM race have in common and being a rookie I’m learning in the DTM with every race.”

Mattias Ekström – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #1
“It’s safe to say that I’m really looking forward to the Nürburgring. I want to drive a good race for myself, for Audi and my team. If you are second in the championship you can only look forward.”

Martin Tomczyk – Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #2
“The Nürburgring is a good circuit which will certainly suit our new A4. I won there last year, so I have good memories.”

Tom Kristensen – Audi A4 DTM #9
“The Nürburgring is steeped in tradition, and in many respects the home of German motorsport. I’m always happy to drive there. I’m expecting a very interesting DTM race. The 2008 cars from Audi and Mercedes start with identical ballast. Mercedes must be capable of responding to our dominant form at Zandvoort. It has the potential to be a real thriller.”

Timo Scheider – GW:plus/Top Service Audi A4 DTM #10
“I’m especially looking forward to the Nürburgring. I grew up not far away from the track. It’s a great feeling to visit my fans and friends who live there. Obviously I hope that lots of fans come and keep their fingers crossed for me. Like last year, as a way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation there will be 1,000 litres of free beer for the fans on Saturday evening.”

Alexandre Prémat – Audi Bank/Shell Helix Audi A4 DTM #14
“It is the home race for Team Phoenix. After several rather unlucky races I’d finally like to score some points again. I like the circuit. Last year things went very well for us there.”

Oliver Jarvis – Best Buddies Audi A4 DTM #15
“I still don’t know the Nürburgring. So, I have to learn a new track again. However, I’m really looking forward to it, particularly as it is my team’s home race. I hope that lots of fans will support us.”

Mike Rockenfeller – S line Audi A4 DTM #18
“The Nürburgring is my home track. I’ll do everything possible to get a good result. It’s a shame that it wasn’t quite enough to get a point at the last race at Zandvoort. I hope that things work out better at the Nürburgring.”

Markus Winkelhock – Playboy Audi A4 DTM #19
“The Nürburgring is one of my favourite circuits. I’ve always been successful there, whether in Formula Renault, Formula 3 or last year with the highlight in Formula 1. My car won there in 2007, so things should by okay.”

Katherine Legge – Audi A4 DTM #20“I think that my form curve is positive in the DTM: Apart from Norisring every race was an improvement. I hope that I can improve still further in qualifying, after all the Nürburgring is a track that suits my Audi.”

Christijan Albers – Audi A4 DTM #21
“I wish that things run better than they did at Zandvoort. I want to move on from that race as quickly as possible and attack again at the Nürburgring. I’ve already won there in the DTM. Perhaps I can also get a good result with the current package.”

Schedule
10.00 – ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup race
10.55 – Formula 3 Euro Series race
11.45 – Event Programme IDC Drift Challenge / Audi pitwalk
12.30 – Seat Leon Supercopa race
13.25 – Porsche Carrera Cup race
14.15 – DTM warm up
14.40 – Event Programme pit walk/Chartshow/taxi drives
15.30 – World of Racecars public start grid presentation
16.10 – World of Racecars race
16.35 – DTM start grid presentation
17.05 – DTM information laps
17.35 – DTM race