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Eleven years to the title – Martin Tomczyk

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It took Martin Tomczyk eleven years to become champion of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
“Eleven years of DTM with lots of ups and downs, and in the eleventh year, together with Team Phoenix, I’ve managed to become champion. It’s hard to find words for my emotions,” said Tomczyk.

The German secured the title in the penultimate round of the DTM 2011 season at Valencia in Spain with third from 11th on the grid. Today’s race winner and double champion Mattias Ekström paid tribute to the new champion.
“Of course it’s fantastic to have won another race, particularly because it was hard work throughout the weekend. But this is not my weekend but Martin’s on which he has decided the championship early in his favor. He’s worked hard for this for many years. I’m happy for him, and of course also for his team, Phoenix, and for the squad of Audi Sport. The title shows that the patience and the trust that Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich has placed in Martin have paid off. So there are many people who can be happy today, especially at Audi Sport,” said Ekström.

Tomczyk secured the title with one race still left of the season after an impressive run of consistency. The German has only missed the podium twice this year with fifth as his worst finish.
“It’s been a fantastic season and real fun to drive this car and to work together with this team. Not only I have earned this title but also, first and foremost, Audi Sport Team Phoenix. But Abt and Rosberg, too, have their share in this overall Audi performance. I think we deserve a couple of parties now,” said Tomczyk.

2001 was the first season for Tomczyk in the DTM and the German has since then worked his way up through the order. The first year saw Tomczyk, then the youngest ever DTM driver, finishing 13th with the Abt-Audi TTR, but it was not until 2007 that he broke in to the top three of the overall championship. The fight has been hard for Tomczyk to reach the top
“He has been a member of our Audi family in the DTM for eleven years and has experienced many ups and – no doubt – downs. But he has never lost his spirit and has emerged as a leader, particularly in this season. Now he has rewarded himself and his team for the hard work and the fighting spirit with the title. We’ve always known that Martin is a strong racer and a great guy – now he’s also a true champion,” said Audi Head of Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

The title also marks the first ever for Team Phoenix in the DTM, a team that has been in the championship since 2000, then with Opel, before moving to Audi in 2006.
“A dream has come true. After many years of hard work and lots of setbacks we have clinched the title as Team Phoenix. Many thanks from us to Audi for the fantastic car. Martin is a great driver, he never made any mistakes in the race and neither did the team. We’re champion one race before the season ends. We’re enjoying this success and are traveling to Hockenheim completely relaxed,” said Ernst Moser, Team Director Audi Sport Team Phoenix.