A double dose of action for the fans of the Audi Sport TT Cup: two classification rounds are scheduled on each of the seven race weekends. The series is held in Germany five times, in addition to appearences in the Netherlands and Austria. The one-make cup is on the lookout for the next Joonas Lappalainen – the Finn won the title in 2016.

1) Hockenheimring (D)

Date: May5–7

Races: rounds1 and 2

Track length: 4.574 km

Average speed: approx. 149 km/h

Top speed: 236 km/h

Qualifying record: Joonas Lappalainen, 1m 48.919s (2015)

Race record: Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, 1m 49.830s (2015)

2016 winner: Sheldon van der Linde (both races)

Track description by Markus Winkelhock, coach in the Audi Sport TT Cup:

“The season opener is a very special event for the drivers – this is the first time they get an idea of where they stand on track, in front of a great crowd. For me, personally, Hockenheim is my home round. I live only 120 kilometers away from the circuit. I’ve always liked the track layout. At the end of the parabolica, the competitors have to hit the braking point perfectly before the hairpin turn. At the braking zone, many thrilling slipstream duels and the majority of overtaking maneuvers will take place. And thanks to Push-To-Pass, we will always see battles for position.”


2) Nürburgring (D)

Date: May 25–27

Races: rounds 3 and 4

Track length: 4.638 km

Average speed: approx. 148 km/h

Top speed: 222 km/h

Qualifying record: Dennis Marschall, 1m 51.836s (2016)

Race record: Dennis Marschall, 1m 51.865s (2016)

2016 winners: Dennis Marschall, Sheldon van der Linde

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“The Nürburgring 24 Hours is something really special. The Audi Sport TT Cup drivers can be delighted to be taking part in the supporting program. I’ll be working as a driver in the Audi R8 LMS and as an instructor in the Audi Sport TT Cup – that means I’m available even when I’m competing in the race myself. The race will be driven on the Grand Prix circuit without the arena. This is the variant on the Grand Prix circuit, which we also drive in the 24-hour race, before we turn onto the Nordschleife. For the Dunlop turn you have to catch the braking point well and then accelerate again quickly, so as not to lose any time on the uphill section.”


3) Norisring (D)

Date: June 30–July 2

Races: Round 5 and 6

Track length: 2.300 km

Average speed: approx. 149 km/h

Top speed: 227 km/h

Qualifying record: Dennis Marschall, 55.661s (2016)

Race record: Lucas di Grassi, 55.296s (2016)

2016 winners: Dennis Marschall, Lucas di Grassi

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“The Norisring is Audi’s home round. The track is very unusual, because city circuits are completely different to classic race tracks. In general, a lot of discipline is required, both at the start and during the race. There are hardly any run-off areas, so accidents can happen more quickly and have completely different consequences. The Norisring is mainly about braking and accelerating. The slow corners suit the agile Audi TT cup well. On the long straights, I expect some exciting position battles again. For the competitors, it is important to deal efficiently with their equipment. The brakes are permanently under maximum load on this track. This is an important lesson for other racing sport categories further on in their careers as well.”


4) Zandvoort (NL)

Date: August 18–20

Races: round 7 and 8

Track length: 4.307 km

Average speed: approx. 141 km/h

Top speed: 236 km/h

Qualifying record: Niklas Nielsen, 1m 48.827s (2016)

Race record: Sheldon van der Linde, 1m 48.359s (2016)

2016 winners: Nicklas Nielsen, Sheldon van der Linde

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“Many racers love Zandvoort. The route is challenging, there are differences in altitude, the tire wear is high and the 15 turns demand a lot from the drivers. And then there is a very special factor: The strong wind from the North Sea often blows sand from the dunes to the track, whilst time and again we have experienced rain in Zandvoort. The grip can thus change from lap to lap. The circuit really asks everything of our drivers.”


5) Nürburgring (D)

Date: September 8–10

Races: rounds 9 and 10

Track length: 3.629 km

Average speed approx. 136 km/h

Topspeed: 219 km/h

Qualifying record: Emil Lindholm, 1m 35.228s (2015)

Race record: Joonas Lappalainen, 1m 35.375s (2016)

2016 winner: Joonas Lappalainen (both races)

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“The second trip to the Nürburgring ranks as one of the biggest challenges. The track is shorter than the one on the race weekend in May and, at first glance, appears pretty simple. But’s that’s misleading. The difficulty is finding that last tenth in the strong field of the Audi Sport TT Cup and to outperform your rivals that way. A key section is the right-left-right chicane in front of the final turn. Here, you need to perfectly start braking and do a good job of getting across the curbs or else you’ll lose a lot of time and turn onto the start-finish straight with insufficient speed.”


6) Red Bull Ring (A)

Date: September 22–24

Races: rounds 11 and 12

Track length: 4.381 km

Average speed approx. 156 km/h

Top speed: 216 km/h

Qualifying record: Nicolaj Møller Madsen, 1m 38.838s (2015)

Race record: Dennis Marschall, 1m 39.749s (2015)

2015 winners: Jan Kisiel, Alexis van de Poele

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“After a break in 2016, the Audi Sport TT Cup returns to the Red Bull Ring. Beautifully located in Styria, it is considered a classic drivers’ circuit and has significant differences in altitude. We will be able to see several slipstream battles on the long straight. The second turn is a hairpin that produces exciting overtaking moves. As you have to brake uphill, the braking point moves backwards. The middle section is medium-fast and consists of very fluid passages, for which the car must be well set up. The final corner into the valley requires a lot of speed to carry through to the straight, so as not to be outpaced.”


7) Hockenheimring (D)

Date: October 13–15

Races: rounds 13 and 14

Track length: 4.574 km

Average speed: approx. 149 km/h

Top speed: approx. 239 km/h

Qualifying record: Joonas Lappalainen, 1m 48.919s (2015)

Race record: Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, 1m 49.830s (2015)

2016 winners: Joonas Lappalainen, Dennis Marschall

Track description by Markus Winkelhock:

“The finale is obviously a highlight: the grandstands are packed, as in most race series the title decisions are made in Hockenheim. Like in the Audi Sport TT Cup, where with two rounds at the finale ususally everything is still up for grabs. The drivers can bring with them the experience gained at the season opener and perhaps take advantage of the track more. That will particularly show in the tricky places, such as braking on entering the hairpin. This is where the drivers need a sure feel for the car and the brakes. If they go beyond the limits, that’ll cost speed, which means a lot of time at the Hockenheimring.”