News roundup

DEKRA joins the DTM, Opel line-up completed, "DTM on Ice" in Kempten

DEKRA completes range of DTM series' sponsors for 2003

The range of DTM series' sponsors for the 2003 season has been completed: DEKRA, that was already a partner of the DTM in the 1990s, is a new series' sponsor and a technical partner of the DTM in 2003. The DEKRA-sign will be present on the starting numbers. "With our motorsport sponsorship, we acknowledge individual mobility and the fascination of vehicle technology", says Prof. Uwe Loos, chairman of the board of DEKRA AG. Thus, DEKRA joins the DTM-partners ADAC, Blaupunkt, Bosch, Dunlop, Hasseröder and Vodafone.

Opel driver line-up completed -- a mix of proven drivers and new signings

With the signing of Joachim Winkelhock, the company from Rüsselsheim has already finished its driver line-up three months before the season opener in Hockenheim, April 27. With stalwarts Joachim Winkelhock, Manuel Reuter, Timo Scheider and Alain Menu as well as new signings Peter Dumbreck (GB) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), all six cockpits have been filled. The allocation of the drivers to the teams Holzer, Phoenix and Euroteam, each entering two cars, has yet to be confirmed.

DTM on Ice -- ice-hockey tournament with DTM-drivers in the Allgäu

This year's ice-hockey tournament "DTM on Ice" will be starting on February 15 at 12.25 h in the Eissporthalle in Kempten in the Allgäu. Four teams, one each by Abt-Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Opel as well as a journalists team, will be taking upon each other. From the DTM-drivers, Christian Abt, Mattias Ekström, Timo Scheider and Karl Wendlinger have confirmed their participation so far. An after-ice-party will be taking place in the evening.

Mercedes-Benz DTM-drivers in fitness training

From February 2 till 8, 2003, the Mercedes-Benz DTM-drivers are taking part in the almost traditional fitness week in the Austrian Montafon region in preparation for the new season. The goal is to assess the performance level of each driver, to cure minor physical problems and revealing minor individual weaknesses that can be dealt with before the start of the season by dedicated training programmes. Next to dealing with themselves, the drivers also have to overcome up to one and a half metres of fresh snow. The second part of the fitness programme is taking place on the isle of Majorca from March 7 till 14.

Abt-team with a new homepage, Mattias Ekström at the Swedish Rally

Abt Sportsline is presenting itself on the Internet with an extended and more modern-looking programme. Information, photos, a calendar of events and activities can be found at www.abt-sportsline.de while there is also a possibility to make a virtual tour of the Abt motorsport museum. To "speed up the time before the DTM finally kicks off again", Abt-driver Mattias Ekström will be contesting the World Rally Championship round in his homeland Sweden with a Mitsubishi Evo VII this weekend. "Rallying is my secret love", the 24-year old reveals.

-dtm-