100th DTM race for Timo Scheider

Valencia is not only a special event for Spaniard Miguel Molina, but also for teammate Timo Scheider, who will start his 100th DTM race. The reigning DTM Champion is the only member of the “100 club” to still be active and competiting in the present day DTM.

“Obviously, this is a special number,” says Scheider, who is also the only driver in the field to have raced in the DTM when the series was re-launched in 2000.

“It was always my dream to compete for Audi. This is another dream I’ve been able to fulfil.”

After a disappointing seventh placed finish from ninth on the grid at the Hockenheim season opener, Scheider is looking to get his bid for a historic third consecutive DTM title back on course this weekend.

“A new track, a new challenge. We had a decent test at Valencia and are hoping to be able to put the results on the track in the race. I can hardly wait for the season to continue – particularly since the Hockenheim race didn’t go so well for me.”

During his time in the DTM, Scheider has scored 267 points, taking five wins, seven pole positions and four fastest laps along the way, as well the 2008 and 2009 DTM titles.

Scheider’s teammates Mattias Ekström (94 races to date) and Martin Tomczyk (93) will both reach the 100-mark during the course of the 2010 season.

Valencia will also see fellow Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller complete an interesting statistic, for the German will have raced in a different type of Audi for each of the past weekends.

Rockenfeller finished fifth in an Audi R15 TDI at the 1000km Spa two weeks ago, then took part in the Nurburgring 24 Hours last weekend in a Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS, before returning to his DTM duties this coming weekend in his usual Audi A4 DTM.