Audi DTM stars switch to pedal power
- Fun event supports DTM finale at Hockenheim
- Ekström, Tomczyk & Co contest Kettcar race
- Unique creations from the Audi DTM teams
The eagerly awaited 2007 DTM finale starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hockenheim. However, for Mattias Ekström, Martin Tomczyk & Co the going already gets really tough on Friday evening: The “1st Audi Kettcar Challenge”, in which the ten Audi DTM stars compete against each other, is held in the paddock at Hockenheim.
Last year the Audi DTM team mechanics proved their creativity by producing beautifully crafted paper boots. This time the task in hand is to transform the ‘Original Kettcars’, supplied by the renowned company Kettler, into mini Audi DTM pedal cars. Ten unique bolides, which will be unveiled to the public for the first time on Friday, have been created over the last few months under strict secrecy in Kempten, Meuspath, Neustadt and Greding.
Like the boat race last year, this fun event is not only a question of physical strength and speed. A jury comprising of Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich and four journalists will assess the originality of the Audi DTM-Kettcars before the race. The marks awarded determine the starting grid for both heats. Each winner and second placed finisher qualifies for the grand finale.
Quite probably the craziest races of the year are held on Friday evening from 7:15 p.m. directly in front of the Audi VIP Lounge in the Hockenheimring paddock. The circuit designed by Kettler is about 75 metres long and four metres wide – including chicane and hairpin. Spectators will be given a warm welcome.
The most valuable pedal car currently available on the market serves as Safety Car: a 1:2 scale model of the famous Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car – one of a limited edition of 999 examples produced as collectors items by the AUDI AG.
The race winning Audi DTM-Kettcar will be auctioned for a good cause after the race. All the Kettcars can be admired throughout the entire weekend at the ‘Audi Fantreff’.
“Obviously, the Kettcar race should not distract us from the job in hand awaiting us on Sunday at Hockenheim,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “We saw last year during the boat race that having fun and winning in no way whatsoever exclude one another.” At Zandvoort Tom Kristensen basked in glory in the true sense of the word – on Sunday he mounted the top step of the podium…