Audi drivers keen on the British Isles

1.78 million German television viewers recently watched the live broadcast of the DTM race at the Nürburgring. They would be well advised to switch on the television once again on Sunday, 31 August at 1.50 p.m.: The exciting final spurt of the 2008 DTM starts at Brands Hatch close to the British capital London.

Like his team mates, Audi "factory" driver Timo Scheider used the summer break between the Nürburgring and Brands Hatch races to go on holiday with his family and to recharge his batteries for the final spurt in the championship battle. Since April 20, and therefore more than four months, the Austrian domiciled German has enjoyed the role of "DTM championship leader". Together with race engineer Armin Plietsch he will do everything possible to finish the season in first place.

However, Scheider must not only overcome strong competition from the Mercedes camp. He has a tough opponent within his own camp in the form of defending DTM Champion Mattias Ekström who, despite being six points behind, has far from written off his title defence.

The team internal duel has kept the fans on tenterhooks for several races: At the last corner at the Norisring Scheider out-braked Ekström, who had been struggling with a soft brake pedal. At Zandvoort Ekström and Scheider circulated nose to tail throughout the entire race. At the Nürburgring Scheider once again made an overtaking manoeuvre on the last lap – on this occasion he had made a better tyre choice than Ekström.

The Audi drivers’ power struggle continues at Brands Hatch, whereby both know exactly that the main priority is to win another DTM title for Audi. It would be the first time since 1990/1991 that Audi successfully defends the title in the most popular international touring car race series.

Timo Scheider still has a score to settle at Brands Hatch: In 2006 he only finished tenth despite a strong showing in the race. In 2007 he lost any chance of a taking a good result after a collision on the opening lap. Mattias Ekström in contrast won the British DTM race in 2006 and was third in 2007.

However it is not only Ekström and Scheider who are keen on the British Isles. Martin Tomczyk narrowly missed winning last year after finishing second. In 2006 Tom Kristensen was the man to beat around the "Indy Circuit", only for a defect within sight of the flag to rob the Le Mans record winner of almost certain victory.

The drivers of the year-old and two-year old cars also expect to be in the thick of the battle for points at Brands Hatch. However, all the Audi drivers know that they face a particularly tough task: 82 laps have to be completed around the short 1.929 kilometre track – and thousandths and hundredths of a second will be decisive in qualifying. This is also reason enough to switch on the television and select "Das Erste" on 31 August at 1.50 p.m. (German time).