Just three weekends remain in the 2017 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season, which heads to the Eifel region for the seventh race weekend of the year, as the battle for supremacy in one of the fastest touring cars series is still not seeing a clear leader.
The top eight drivers in the standings, led by points leader Mattias Ekström, are currently separated by a mere 35 points with just six races of the calendar left to run.
The changes that have been made, in terms of the technical regulations for this season, have provided the fans in attendance with more unpredictability, action and drama, but also have made it more of a challenge for the drivers.
All three brands are also represented, as Ekström has stablemate René Rast and Mike Rockenfeller hot on his heels for the lead in the drivers’ standings, as the trio are separated by 18 points.
BMW Team RMG’s Timo Glock and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport BWT’s Lucas Auer are the best of their respective contingents but don’t count out defending champion Marco Wittmann, who is still in the hunt for a second successive title.
The 27-year-old still has the chance to equal the feat by ex-DTM ace Timo Scheider, who won the drivers’ crown in 2007 and 2008, plus become the first since Bernd Schnider in 2003 to win three titles.
In terms of the performance weights, following a further change in the regulations, Audi Sport will have the heaviest cars out on track, with each of the RS5 DTMs weighing 1,132.5 kilos each, with Mercedes a further ten kilos lighter.
BMW, despite having won both races, not withstanding the exclusion of Marco Wittmann post-race two at Zandvoort, will race at the Eifel with the lightest cars, at 1,107.5 kilos each.
Along with the current DTM machinery roaring around the 3.679-km sprint circuit, DTM legends of yesteryear will be competing in the Tourenwagen Classics, with some of the famous names from the 1980s and 1990s set to race against each other.
Three-time DTM champion Klaus Ludwig will take part in the 1992 Zakspeed Mercedes 190 Evo2, alongside Johnny Cecotto, who will step behind the wheel of the BMW M3 Sport Evolution, reigniting memories of their battle around the Nordschleife over 25 years ago.
Classic Class One machinery, including the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti, will be on hand to race, with one being piloted by ex-Formula 1 driver Christian Danner, whilst Mercedes-AMG Motorsport boss Toto Wolff will also put on a set of racing overalls to drive a 1991 Mercedes 190 Evo2 DTM.
The action this weekend will bring back days of yesteryear, along with the current-day machinery bringing us back into the present day amidst a well-established racetrack.
DTM Timetable (Times local – BST plus one hour)
Friday 8th September
1700 – Practice 1 (30 minutes)
Saturday 9th September
0900 – Practice 2 (30 minutes)
1140 – Race 1 qualifying (20 minutes)
1448 – Race 1 (55 minutes plus one lap, with mandatory pitstop)
Sunday 10th September
0910 – Practice 3 (30 minutes)
1200 – Race 2 qualifying (20 minutes)
1518 – Race 2 (55 minutes plus one lap, with mandatory pitstop)