the DTM drivers
Le Mans winning Audi R10 TDI contests “World of Race Cars” Ironman Normann Stadler and German ski ladies visit DTM Audi factory drivers receive new RS 6 as company car
1,000 garage employees from the Western Region will turn the DTM race at the Nürburgring into a home race for Audi. But not only the grandstands will be filled with roaring enthusiasm for the seventh round of the season: the event will also feature loads of trackside action around DTM leader Timo Scheider and his team-mates.On Sunday, spectators at the Nürburgring will see a grandstand completely in red: AUDI AG has invited some 1,000 mechanics from Audi partners to witness the DTM live. In addition to a hospitality area on the pit roof, a grandstand reserved only for them and an exclusive pit lane walk, Audi’s guests will of course come into close contact with their DTM stars as well. The reason for this invitation was to recognise the day-to-day work performed by service personnel in the garages and to provide motivation for the future.On Thursday the Audi factory drivers will be receiving their new "company cars" at the Nürburgring from quattro GmbH. Champion Mattias Ekström and his team-mates will then be driving 580-hp Audi RS 6 Avant cars – the most powerful production model ever bearing the badge of the four rings.Summit meeting of two genuine marathon men: Normann Stadler, two-time winner of the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii and an Audi driver, will visit the DTM squad and meet Tom Kristensen, who has triumphed as many as eight times at the 24-Hour motorsport marathon at Le Mans. In addition to swapping experiences, the two top-flight athletes have arranged to go on a cycle tour of the Nürburgring. For bicycle fan Tom Kristensen, this will not be a major change of pace: on his way to the Eifel he visited the Tour de France.On Sunday afternoon, a special stint will be on the agenda for the Audi R10 TDI: at the "World of Race Cars", the three-time Le Mans winner will compete against vehicles from various racing series and generations. By the way, a true-to-the-original copy of the Auto Union Type D with a V12 mid-engine and 485 hp will be on the grid as well.Timo Scheider’s Saturday night activity has the potential of turning into something like a tradition: like last year, the DTM leader will again treat all fans to a round of free beer next weekend: at 8 p.m. the keg will be tapped at camp site A5. Scheider himself will participate in drawing and serving the "thank you beer" to his fans.During the weekend, the DTM drivers are again expecting female visitors galore: the attractive German skiing team around Maria Riesch and Katy Hölzl will be catching a whiff of DTM air. However, the six ladies are not travelling alone as chief coach Mathias Berthold will accompany them. Another guest expected to visit the Eifel on Sunday is TV presenter Kai Pflaume.Freebies on Sunday: at several locations around the circuit, Audi will be handing out some thousand caps and T-shirts to fans. About 40 customers will be leaving the Nürburgring with brand new Audi A4 or A8 cars: they will be taking possession of their vehicles this weekend and to "get into the swing of things" will have the chance to do some sporty laps around the circuit as part of the "Audi Drive Away".
