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2006 DTM

• 7th DTM season; 10 round championship
• The premier German national sportscar racing series
• Support races: Formula 3 Euro Series, Formula BMW ADAC Championship, ADAC VW Polo Cup , Porsche Carrera Cup

2006 RACE RESULTS:

• R1: Hockenheim, April 9, 2006

• R2: Eurospeedway Lausitz, April 30, 2006

• R3: Motopark Oschersleben, May 21, 2006

• R4: Brands Hatch, July 2, 2006 *Great Britain*

• R5: Norisring, July 23, 2006

• R6: Nurburgring, Aug 20, 2006

• R7: Zandvoort, Sep 3, 2006 *Netherlands*

• R8: Catalunya, Sep 24, 2006 *Spain*

• R9: Le Mans, Oct 15, 2006 *France*

• R10: Hockenheim, Oct 29, 2006

2006 SEASON PREVIEW     (TOP OF PAGE)

NEW QUALIFYING FORMAT PROMISES EVEN MORE EXCITEMENT

• A new format for qualifying on Saturday (Hockenheim April 9) promises even more excitement in the DTM, the premier international touring car series. Details of the modified sporting regulations were unveiled during a press conference at the series' official pre-season launch in the city centre of Düsseldorf.
• "The purpose of the new qualifying format is making it even more attractive, both for the spectators at the circuit and for the viewers in front of the TV-screens", said Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of the DTM-organisation ITR e.V.
• Shoot-Out like in Formula 1
• The 30 minutes' timed practice and the flying "Super Pole" lap for the ten fastest drivers used so far will be replaced by a so-called shoot-out like it has been used in Formula 1 since the start of the current season. In the DTM, the running order will be as follows: initially, all 20 cars will be on the track for 14 minutes.
• After a seven minutes' break, the 14 fastest cars will be running again for 10 minutes on their way to another fast lap time. These ten minutes will be followed by another seven minutes' break. Then, the eight fastest drivers will be out for seven minutes again to decide on the positions in the first four lines of the starting grid.
• Three different generations of vehicles on the track
• In the 2006 DTM, there will be vehicles from three different generations on the track for the first time. For the current cars to 2006-standards, the DTM commission has decided upon a minimum weight of 1070 kg. Touring cars to 2005 standards must weigh in at 1060 kg, while the minimum weight for 2004-spec cars has been set at 1020 kg.
• Result ballast has been kept upright, too. When a manufacturer wins the race, all 2006-spec cars of this manufacturer will gave to add five kg for the next race, with a maximum of 20 kg. The current cars of the manufacturer that doesn't win are allowed to take out five kg for the next race, with a maximum of ten kg. These measures contribute to more equal chances, which makes the DTM so popular among spectators.

2006 MERCEDES DRIVERS      (TOP OF PAGE)

• Mika Häkkinen: "I have learned a lot during my first year in the DTM. In 2006 I aim to win more than one race and want to fight for the championship. With the new AMG-Mercedes C-Class we have a perfect basis. However, I expect tough competition not only from the Audi drivers, but also within our own team."
• Bernd Schneider: "Winning last year's final race at Hockenheim in October was a good motivation for 2006. During the winter break I had an optimum preparation for the new season and I want to show the young guns and the older drivers that I still have what it takes to win."
• Jamie Green: "With two pole positions and two fastest laps in my first DTM season I showed my potential, however, I want more. This year, I hope to drive more consistently and to end up in top positions. If I can manage that I will be able to fight for the championship."
• Bruno Spengler: "I'm proud to move up to the HWA team and to drive a new AMG-Mercedes C-Class after one season with a last year's car. Of course I still have to learn a lot, but I want to finish on the podium as often as possible and to fight for victories."

2006 AUDI DRIVERS      (TOP OF PAGE)

• Martin Tomczyk (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #4):"The first race of the year always shows just who did their homework during the winter. I think we worked well and things are looking good. I like the circuit at Hockenheim. My goal is to finish as high as possible in the points."
• Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #5):"I'm delighted that the season is finally about to start after such a long winter and that everyone will have to give 100 per cent. I'm really interested to see just how strong the individual teams, drivers and cars are. The crowds of spectators at Hockenheim are always fantastic. I like the circuit although I'm missing a win there. I do however have another chance on Sunday..."
• Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #6):"I'm intrigued to see how the Audi A4 handles at Hockenheim. I'll have the first opportunity to make a genuine comparison to last year. I'm also interested to see exactly how we measure up and just how the new qualifying system works. There could be a few surprises. I always liked Hockenheim in the past, since the circuit layout was modified the track is much more interesting for the spectators. They see the cars more often, and it's easier to overtake."
• Tom Kristensen (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline #7):"It seems like only yesterday that we were at the final at Hockenheim. The winter was very short for me, since I'm also part of the Audi R10 TDI project and we also developed the Audi A4 DTM. I'm convinced that we'll be quicker than we were at the finale. The new car seems to function well. The season started perfectly for me with a win at Sebring with the R10 TDI. I can hardly wait for the DTM to get started. I'm very motivated!"
• Christian Abt (Audi Sport Team Phoenix #12):"I like the Hockenheimring, the results over the last three years have been promising. If I can improve my performance still further it might be possible to finish on the podium. The first race is always something special, because it influences the entire season. You have to reveal your hand at Hockenheim. Just three days of preparation with my new team was not much. But we will give our all."
• Pierre Kaffer (Audi Sport Team Phoenix #14):"I've set my goals very high for the 2006 DTM. I feel comfortable within the Phoenix squad around Ernst Moser and want to finish in the points at Hockenheim. It'll be difficult to hit the ground running at the first race without much preparation. The driver can't afford to make any mistakes, and the pit stops must be faultless."
• Frank Stippler (Audi Sport Team Rosberg #15):"Unfortunately I couldn't test as much as I'd like to have done before start of the season. Nevertheless, I'll do my best. I had a good race at the finale last year at Hockenheim. I'd obviously like to repeat this. In the past Mercedes was a little bit faster down the straight at Hockenheim, but we were faster in the Motodrom. So, it should be very exciting again."
• Timo Scheider (Audi Sport Team Rosberg #16):"I want to arrive at Hockenheim perfectly prepared and in excellent condition, and settle in the DTM again. From the sporting aspect I'd like to come away with some points. The best thing would be if I could spring a surprise from the word go and finish in the top-five with a 05 car."
• Vanina Ickx (Futurecom TME #20): "My DTM debut will certainly be hard work. I want to be consistent, make very few mistakes and have a good race. I still can't believe that I'm really now a part of the DTM and especially as a member of the Audi family. A dream comes true, I feel like a princess at Audi. Now I must also show that I deserve the seat."
• Olivier Tielemans (Futurecom TME #19):"I think that Hockenheim will be a very special occasion for me. I'll be driving for the first time in front of such a huge crowd. I know Hockenheim from Formula 3000, I like the circuit and am looking forward to the race. It's fantastic to be able to compete at the age of 21 in the DTM - after all the DTM is the top of European racing."