ADAC GT Masters begins second half of season in the Alps

• ADAC GT Masters at Red Bull Ring in Styria
• Austrian Dominik Baumann leads standings in BMW
• Local Grasser Racing drivers join line-up, fielding a Lamborghini

There is no rest for the ADAC GT Masters drivers as they head into the second half of the season
without a break. The Super Sports Car League circus moves directly from the Nürburgring to
Austria’s Red Bull Ring. Races Nine and Ten are calendared for this weekend (9th- 11th August)
as the second half of the season begins. The short break is a first in the ADAC GT Masters, since
races do not normally take place back to back. One driver in the field is particularly impatient for
the Austrian leg of the ADAC GT Masters to get under way: BMW driver Dominik Baumann (20)
from the small town of Rum near Innsbruck leads the standings together with Claudia Hürtgen
(41, Germany, PIXUM Team Schubert) in the BMW Z4, as his home race fast approaches.

Corvette and Porsche among favourites

Baumann has already won two races this season and is optimistic about tackling his home race: "I feel quite relaxed about competing at the Red Bull Ring. We are top of the table half-way through the season, which augurs well for the future, and have worked hard to get there. The races will certainly not be easy, because the Red Bull Ring is a tough track for our BMW. I think that Corvette and Porsche in particular will be very strong competition."

Porsche has had a good record so far at the Red Bull Ring. A Porsche 911 has won three out of four races to date at the second fastest circuit on the ADAC GT Masters calendar. Martin Ragginger (25, Austria) and Robert Renauer (28, Germany, Tonino by Herberth Motorsport), who are the best-placed Porsche drivers in the standings, are relying on the 911's supreme qualities to deliver the home podium that Ragginger is so keen to achieve. Last year's winners in Austria, Mario Farnbacher (21, Germany) and Philip Frommenwiler (23, Switzerland/Farnbacher Racing), are also looking to secure decent results again in the Porsche in order to keep their title hopes alive.

Top speed counts above all at the ultra-fast Red Bull Ring and the Corvette certainly knows how to shine in that respect. After their strong showing at the Nürburgring, Diego Alessi (41, Italy)/Daniel Keilwitz (41, Germany) and Andreas Wirth (28, Germany)/Christian Hohenadel (36, Germany, all Callaway Competition) intend to use the Corvette's top speed advantage to secure podiums at the Red Bull Ring.

The Audi teams are also expecting a tough weekend. Ex-Formula 1 driver Markus Winkelhock (32, Germany) and Christer Jöns (26, Germany, Prosperia C Abt Racing) were the fastest pair in the Audi R8 last time out in the Eifel, but Jöns has mixed feelings about the race in prospect. "I like the Red Bull Ring very much and am always really pleased to be there, but this circuit is one of the toughest on the calendar for our Audi R8, as we are at a disadvantage where top speed is concerned." Jöns team-mate Christopher Mies (24, Germany), who is competing together with René Rast (26, Germany) wants to put the Audi R8 back at the top of the table at the Red Bull Ring but must hope for bad weather to do that. "We only have any chance of posting a good result at the Red Bull Ring if it rains," said Mies. Austrian Daniel Dobitsch (29, South Tirol), along with Aditya Patel (25, India/MS RACING) will also be in the fray, fighting for points in another Audi R8 at Daniel's home race.

Two local drivers in a Lamborghini Gallardo prepared by Grasser Racing are firm fan favourites at the Red Bull Ring. Gottfried Grasser's team from Knittelfeld near the Red Bull Ring are guesting at the circuit and relying on the services of two home-grown aces: Hari Proczyk (37) from St Margarethen and Gerhard Tweraser (24) from Spielberg will be at the wheel of the 600-horsepower Lamborghini.

Close bunch heads Gentlemen category

There is also a certain amount of tension at the top of the Gentlemen standings, since Porsche driver Christina Nielsen (21, Denmark/Farnbacher Racing) took over the championship lead from fellow Porsche driver René Bourdeaux (38, Germany, Tonino by Herberth Motorsport) recently at the Nürburgring. Nielsen has a new team-mate at the Red Bull Ring. The Danish driver will be aided by reigning French GT Champion Anthony Beltoise (42, France), son of ex-Formula 1 driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise. Buoyed by his double victory at the Nürburgring, Corvette driver Toni Seiler (55, Switzerland/Callaway Competition) also intends to attack at the Red Bull Ring.

Show run on Wednesday in Fohnsdorf Arena

On Wednesday 7th August, the ADAC GT Masters will be readying fans for the action at the Red Bull Ring weekend with a special show in the Fohnsdorf Arena. Starting at 3pm, a number of sports cars competing in the ADAC GT Masters will be on display in the Fohnsdorf Arena, plus, Super Sports Car League drivers will be on hand to sign autographs. At 6:30pm, the ADAC GT Masters supercars will post a few demo laps around a closed-off circuit.