Audi drivers look forward to Oschersleben

Only two weeks after the Dutch DTM round in the dunes of Zandvoort the most popular international touring car racing series returns to Germany – or putting it more precisely, to East Germany: The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will play host to the fifth round of the 2009 DTM season on August 2.

Almost all Audi drivers have particularly fond memories of the circuit situated in the "Börde" flatlands near Magdeburg – especially Tom Kristensen, who contested four DTM races at Oschersleben, starting to each one from the front row and finishing twice at the very top of the podium. Similar to his nickname "Mister Le Mans," the eight-time Le Mans winner is often called "King of Oschersleben" by fans.

Mattias Ekström is another driver who enjoys returning to Oschersleben again and again – although the Motorsport Arena is one of the circuits on which the two-time DTM Champion has not yet clinched victory. Nevertheless, the Swede has a positive Oschersleben track record: The Audi driver has started there six times so far, and each time he finished in the points.

For Timo Scheider, Oschersleben evokes very special feelings: The reigning champion celebrated his long awaited first victory at a DTM race in the Magdeburg flatlands last year. The win made him take the lead of the standings which he successfully defended up to the finale at Hockenheim.

Martin Tomczyk has good memories of the Motorsport Arena as well: As many as two times the Bavarian started from the front row there. In 2004 and 2008 he completed one-two wins for Audi by finishing both races as the runner-up.

But not only the drivers of the current Audi A4 DTM cars enjoy returning to this circuit – in 2007, Mike Rockenfeller in a year-old car sensationally started to what was just his second DTM race from the front row and in the race secured third place after a captivating duel with Mika Häkkinen. Last year, Oliver Jarvis shone with grid position four – also achieved at his DTM run. Markus Winkelhock took his first DTM points in 2008 at Oschersleben; Alexandre Prémat just barely missed scoring points after a strong race.

Katherine Legge is particularly taken with the circuit at the Motorsport Arena. And she is at the wheel of the Audi A4 DTM in which Timo Scheider won at Oschersleben last year. It was the third Oschersleben exploit for the brand with the four rings since its comeback as a manufacturer in the 2004 season.

To ensure that nothing is left to chance, Mattias Ekström and Timo Scheider tested at Misano, Italy, between the races at Zandvoort and Oschersleben because the first four rounds of the 2009 season have shown that the DTM field is even more competitive this year than it was last year. To the spectators’ delight, predictions are nearly impossible.