DTM – Stars and Stories from the Dekra Lausitzring

• Former international footballer Jimmy Hartwig pays a visit to the DTM
• Full throttle for European track cycling champion Pröpster in the DTM Innovation Taxi
• Drivers and teams running for a good cause at the Best Water Run

Best Water Run – DTM supports well construction projects in Africa
On Thursday evening, the “BWT x Windhager Best Water Run” opened the DTM race weekend at the Dekra Lausitzring. The stars of the DTM were joined by 200 runners from every part of the paddock and the organisation for two laps of the 3.478-kilometre circuit. DTM partner BWT donated six Euro for each participant to b.waterMission, which has been supporting well construction projects in Africa for many years. Jack Aitken was the first of the DTM drivers to cross the finishing line after two laps. “That was a cool thing to do. It is nice for the whole paddock to come together and join in with a sporting activity. The reach of the DTM as a platform means that we act as role models, which is why it was such a great idea to run together for a good cause,” explained Thomas Preining, full of praise for the charitable project.

DTM stars shine in cycling test
Four DTM drivers had a special test to look forward to after Saturday’s race: Jules Gounon, Gilles Magnus, Morris Schuring and Nicki Thiim displayed their cycling skills on the “ADAC Move it!” cycling course in the DTM Fan Zone. The DTM drivers sped through tight corners and slalom sections and raced over a seesaw. Each rider received a five-second penalty for every mistake. Thiim recorded the fastest time and he and his colleagues received their cyclists’ licenses. “The challenge was a lot of fun and it was the perfect way to clear my head after the race. And it is nice to be rewarded with the cycling license too,” said the victorious Dane. The ADAC Move it! circuit is a skills course for cycles, pedelecs, scooters and e-scooters. Visitors of all ages can test their abilities on the course for free.

Dr. Gerd Ennser confirmed as ADAC Sport President
Dr. Gerd Ennser presented the trophy to the winner of the fourth DTM race on Sunday. One day earlier, voters at the ADAC Annual General Meeting in Berlin had elected Ennser to serve a second, four-year term as ADAC Sport President. Achim Loth, permanent chairman of sport commissioners in the DTM, will assume the mantle of Classic Motoring Advisor from his predecessor Prof. Dr. Mario Theissen

Jimmy Hartwig enjoys the DTM atmosphere
Hamburg sporting icon and former international footballer Jimmy Hartwig paid a first visit to the DTM at the weekend and was visibly delighted by the atmosphere around the circuit. As guests of Abt Sportsline and Schaeffler, he and family drove more than six hours from their home in Inning am Ammersee to the Lausitz to enjoy the special DTM feeling and experience a race live. “I am keeping my fingers crossed for all the drivers. I view anyone who takes a seat in a car like that as a hero. As a driver, you have to block out everything happening around you during the race and you need complete focus,” explained Hartwig, who was particularly pleased that his daughter was able to climb into a Lamborghini. “That was a great experience and she will love to talk about it at school.”

Sönke Möhring talks about the allure of cars
Actor Sönke Möhring popped in to the DTM on Saturday. The younger brother of German TV star Wotan Wilke Möhring, who made his international debut on the silver screen in the Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds, took a relaxed stroll through the pit lane at the Lausitzring as he examined the DTM cars. “I have been fascinated by cars from a young age. I was even able to recognise the various makes of car by the rear lights or engine noise. I am particularly interested in the German makes and our drivers,” said Möhring.

Dresden’s promotion-winning coach enjoys the DTM
Thomas Stamm has followed motor racing from his early years and his younger brother was an even bigger fan. Having secured promotion to the second division, the head coach of Dynamo Dresden football club did not waste the opportunity of seeing the DTM up close at the Lausitzring with his brother. The successful coach recognized some similarities between the two sports: “Just like in football, motor racing requires you to deal with stress, deliver top performances under extreme pressure, and make the right decisions. However, we often have a team-mate to help fix our mistakes. That is not possible in motor racing, as drivers are on their own out there.”

First taste of the DTM for ski jumper Stephan Leyhe
Ski jump world champion and Olympic team silver medallist Stephan Leyhe attended his first DTM race this weekend. The 33-year-old was impressed by the intensity of sound produced by the DTM cars, and by the relaxed atmosphere. “In top-level sport, it is rare to get as close to the professionals as you do here at the DTM. Just like ski jumpers, the racing drivers have to get their performance exactly right. The material they work with is also extremely important. Ideally, you need to stay a step ahead of the competition, just like with ski jumping.”

Full throttle with more than 600 HP: track cyclist Alessa-Catriona Pröpster delighted
Alessa-Catriona Pröpster knows all about motor racing, as her father competed in many motorcycle races. The junior world champion and European team sprint track cycling champion experienced the DTM for the first time at the Lausitzring. Having accepted an invitation from Schaeffler, she completed several laps in the DTM Innovation Taxi. The track cyclist was impressed by the drive in the 640 HP Audi R8 LMS GT2. “We go pretty fast on two wheels but feeling this pace in a race car, the unbelievable cornering speed and the driver’s reactions – that really is fascinating. I got pretty hot under the collar after a few corners. You have to be in peak condition to stay the course for an hour of racing under this pressure.”

Truck power at the DTM
Debut at the Lausitzring: this was the first appearance for the European Truck Racing Championship as part of the DTM programme and the combined horsepower delivered real fireworks. The trucks provided XXL-sized racing action for the spectators at the circuit in Brandenburg – boasting more than 1,000 horsepower and propelled solely by environmentally-friendly HVO100 biofuel, which is produced from renewable sources and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent.