Audi driver Rockenfeller at Nürburgring as DTM leader ~ Garage74

Saturday, 10 August 2013

Audi driver Rockenfeller at Nürburgring as DTM leader

11:36 Kai Saarto No comments

Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM #19 (Audi Sport Team Phoenix)

Round seven at the Nürburgring (August 16 to 18) marks the beginning of the hot phase in the battle for the DTM title. 100 points are yet to be awarded and Audi driver Mike Rockenfeller is travelling to the Eifel with a 27-point advantage. ‘Rocky’ grew up in a place just half an hour away from the ‘Ring’ – accordingly, he and Audi Sport Team Phoenix, with its home base at the Nürburgring, are looking forward to the event with particularly eager anticipation.

From the adventure in Moscow the DTM is now moving on to the Eifel. The race at the Nürburgring ranks among the classic events on the calendar. The DTM has seen numerous gripping races there, exotic premieres like a night-time qualifying session, plus six Audi victories in total since the comeback in 2000. The proximity to the famous Nordschleife and the enthusiasm of the fans make the round in the Eifel a highlight of the season again and again.

This is particularly true for the Audi drivers Mike Rockenfeller and Timo Scheider, who grew up near the circuit and for whom the Nürburgring is thus their home track. ‘Rocky’ has the chance of making another pinpoint landing in the battle for the title in front of many friends and fans. Following his second victory of the season in Moscow, the Audi driver is traveling to his home round with an advantage of 27 points over the reigning Champion Bruno Spengler. Audi Sport Team Phoenix, which fields the Audi RS 5 DTM cars of Rockenfeller and Miguel Molina, only has to cross a road to get from its base in Meuspath to the paddock.

This year, the DTM is again using the 3.629-kilometre short configuration of the Grand Prix circuit on 49 laps. The circuit offers two sections – the start-finish straight in front of the first turn and the back-straight in front of the chicane – in which the Drag Reduction System (DRS) effectively supports overtaking manoeuvres. This promises a thrilling race Sunday.

Tickets for all DTM races of the 2013 season are available at www.audi-motorsport.com/dtm. Fans in many countries of the world can watch qualifying and the race live on the DTM’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/dtmint live. A total of 39 TV channels air live DTM coverage in 141 countries.

In Germany, ARD will broadcast live on “Das Erste:” Qualifying on Saturday (August 17) starting at 14:30, the race on Sunday (August 18) starting at 13:15.