Motorsport

15th March 2007

AUDI has announced its 10-strong DTM German touring car line-up
– but hasn’t found space for a British driver. As in 2006, the A4 attack
will be led by record Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and past series
champion Mattias Ekstrom. While the team tested several young UK
hopefuls, factory contracts went to Germans Lucas Luhr and Mike Rockenfeller, plus Frenchman Alexandre Prémat.

Despite Audi’s cold shoulder, there will be plenty of UK interest
in this year’s series. Mercedes aces Gary Paffett and Jamie Green are
both being touted as pre-season title favourites. The spectacular V8
action gets the green light at Hockenheim on 22 April, and then
goes on to headline at Brands Hatch in Kent on 10 June.

ALLAN McNish will be looking to make history at the Sebring
12-Hour showdown on Saturday.

Driving Audi’s revolutionary diesel-engined R10 TDI, the Scot, 37, is aiming for back-to-back successes at the Florida enduro, and hopes to become the first Brit ever to win it three times. Meanwhile, Audi will be vying for its eighth consecutive Sebring title.

GRIDS for this year’s British Touring Car Championship have been boosted by some exciting late entries, including the first-ever oil-burner to take part.

Experienced tin-top racers Dave Pinkney and Richard Marsh have snapped up a pair of competitive Alfa 156s, while newcomer Rick Kerry has entered a turbodiesel-engined BMW 1-Series.

REIGNING British F3 champion Mike Conway is to be Jenson Button’s latest understudy at the Honda Formula One team.

The 22-year-old will complete a number of tests for the outfit during the course of the 2007 season. “This is a fantastic opportunity, and I would like to thank Honda for putting its faith in me,” said Conway.