Hockenheimring: Audi weekend notes

Prominent guests enthralled by DTM opener

Ingolstadt/Hockenheim -- Obviously, many celebrities tremendously enjoyed the DTM season opener at Hockenheim. Some quotes from guests who visited the Audi team this weekend.

Marc Terenzi, singer
"I experienced the DTM for the first time and took a ride in the race taxi with Christian Abt. It's amazing if you've only watched this on TV before -- and it's an unbelievably difficult job: The driver approaches the turn at incredibly high speed, brakes extremely late and hard, and takes the corner very, very fast. I live in Orlando and witnessed the NASCAR Series once at the Daytona 500. But the DTM is sensational, and the audience impressive."

Fritz Wepper, actor
"I've been a guest at the DTM for many years, at first because of my friend Poldi from FC Bayern and today as a friend of ABT Sportsline and Audi. It's become a cherished tradition for me to attend the first and last race of each season at Hockenheim. In addition, being one of the people allowed to chauffeur the racers during the drivers' parade -- this time Timo Scheider and Tom Kristensen -- has become a ritual as well. The flair is fantastic, the audience can identify with the racers and the cars. I personally drive an Audi RS6 and keep my fingers crossed for the squad."

Django Asul, comedian
"I share a very pleasant friendship with the Audi family, from the gateman all the way to the executive board. I have strong ties to motorsport through Audi, quattro GmbH and ABT Sportsline. Hockenheim is great and for me it's almost a little like a children's carnival: you marvel at a different world which you already admired as a child."

Andreas Brehme, 1990 world soccer champion
"The DTM is a fantastic spectacle. I was able to peek behind the scenes of the Audi squad: Those are great guys -- just like a perfectly attuned soccer team. And I definitely won't forget the ride in the race taxi alongside Christian Abt for a long time."

Matthias Holtmann, SWR star host
"I've been a big fan of the DTM for many years. I'm impressed with the flair and with how close the fans can get to the cars. The races are touring car sport at its best. The best in Europe!"

-credit: audi