DTM countdown: Audi at full throttle in Wiesbaden
Only three weeks before the DTM opener
DTM presentation in Wiesbaden for second time in succession
Audi brings many attractions to the Hessian provincial capital
Ingolstadt, April 7, 2011 – Still another three weeks before the season starts and
Europe’s most popular touring car race series introduces itself unusually early in
Wiesbaden to the spectators. For the newly formed DTM driver squad it is the first
common public appearance.
Last year 110,000 fans enjoyed the DTM presentation in Wiesbaden. Even more
spectators are expected to the second edition held on Sunday, April 10 from midday
to 6:00 p.m. between Wilhelmstraße and the Kurhaus. All nine Audi DTM drivers are
in Wiesbaden. In addition, Audi, DTM Champions in 2007, 2008 and 2009, has a
great deal to offer fans.
Two Audi A4 DTM cars bring the purest DTM feeling to the streets by entertaining
the public with demonstration laps and doughnuts along the Wilhelmstraße. On
the grid are Timo Scheider’s AUTO TEST Audi A4 DTM and the Red Bull Audi A4 DTM
of Mattias Ekström. Also to be seen and admired on the improvised circuit: the
Audi RS 5 safety car from the DTM. Furthermore, the spectators get to see three
other A4 DTM cars: Mike Rockenfeller’s E Post Brief Audi A4 DTM, the Audi
Performance A4 DTM of Oliver Jarvis and Rahel Frey’s Glamour Audi A4 DTM can be
admired at the exhibition area in front of the Wiesbaden Kurhaus.
Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline’s real DTM pit crew gives the fans plenty to enjoy:
The fans can look on in awe as changing four wheels is completed in little more than
three seconds. The Audi collection Truck provides fans with the opportunity to equip
themselves in good time for the season opener at Hockenheim with accessories
from the Audi collection and to get their goods signed directly by the Audi factory
drivers. Last but not least: An Audi parade is never far away at a DTM presentation.
Comments by the Audi drivers before the DTM presentation
Filipe Albuquerque: “Even though I don’t know this event I’m quite excited about it.
Wiesbaden looks wonderful on the photographs. The number of people at the
presentation is unbelievable. It will be my first acquaintance with the DTM fans. I
already know the other Audi drivers from the winter camp. In Wiesbaden I’ll also get
to know our opponents.”
Mattias Ekström: “The presentation is something very special for me. We can really
spend much more time with the fans than we can at the races since there is no hectic
schedule in Wiesbaden. The fans are always positive and they are all happy that the
season is literally just around the corner. I hope the weather is good as it is a
necessity for a great atmosphere.”
Rahel Frey: “I only heard about the event last year from the media. The crowds must
have been enormous. Previously in motorsport I’ve only experienced a really
important presentation at Le Mans. I imagine that there will be a similar public
onrush in Wiesbaden. The fans can rub shoulders with the drivers. It will certainly be
a great event. I’ll introduce myself for the first time to the public there and also be
accepted as DTM driver at the same time.”
Oliver Jarvis: “Wiesbaden was such an amazing event last year that I can hardly wait
to be there again and to appear with the DTM. I was in Wiesbaden for the first time
last year during the presentation. The city is beautiful and the atmosphere was
fantastic. I was lucky enough to be able to drive a show car last year. It was a lot of
fun to drive around immediately in front of the spectators. For us it’s also a great
opportunity to meet the fans and sign autographs in far more relaxing environment
than during a race weekend.”
Miguel Molina: “Wiesbaden was an unusual experience a year ago. Such an
enormous amount of people at a presentation before the season starts – I’ve never
seen anything like it. Impressive! As I used to collect autographs from racing drivers
myself as a small boy, I really like this relaxed atmosphere to meet the people and
to sign autographs before the first race. The presentation is quite simply a
wonderful idea and Wiesbaden is a great city for this.”
Edoardo Mortara: “It’s a fabulous idea by the ITR to organize such an event. I really
like the idea behind it that the DTM is presented to the public in a city center. This is
also an aspect that makes our sport a little more interesting, because when all is
said and done we do actually drive for the fans. We represent automobile
manufacturers and we can be very grateful that people like our sport and support
both us and the car companies.”
Mike Rockenfeller: “The DTM presentation is a very special event to which I enjoy
visiting as much as the races. There is a relaxed atmosphere, you see everybody else,
the drivers are relaxed with one another and the same applies to the contact with
the many fans. It’s always great to use this opportunity and to be in the right frame
of mind for it. We can take care of the fans. I’m really appreciative that so many of
them come to the presentation.”
Timo Scheider: “Wiesbaden is a unique start to the season. Everybody is already
highly motivated and you get an indication of what to expect. There hasn’t been any
contact with fans for months. Now we can sign autographs in a relaxing atmosphere
which is a great thing. It’s just cool to be there. The fact that 110,000 fans came
last year proves just how popular the DTM is and just how the fans around
Wiesbaden can be motivated for such a thing. It’s great that this event is so well
received. It also says a lot about the DTM’s importance among sport fans.”
Martin Tomczyk: “The DTM presentation is generally a great event, and last year
Wiesbaden in particular showed that it was in fact a fantastic event. The weather
played along and there were loads of people there. For everybody concerned this
event now rings in the DTM season, and it will also be the case this year. I’m looking
forward to seeing all the faces again and to enjoy the entire event in a relaxed
atmosphere.”
Communications Motorsport Jürgen Pippig
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