Extra spectacular for the fans’ return: #DTM roaring through the banking of the Lausitz tri-oval
As spectators are returning to the race track, DTM is offering a special attraction at DEKRA Lausitzring: on the second race weekend of the season, from 23-25 July, the GT race cars will be roaring through the banked first corner of the Lausitz tri-oval. Instead of braking hard and turning left into a twisty infield section at the end of the main straight, the world-class drivers of the 2021 DTM will stay on the throttle and take the 300 metres long left-hand corner at speed. The special element: the first corner, Turn 1, has a banking of almost six degrees. In racing, banked corners provide a particular fascination for drivers and fans alike. Opened in 2000, the Lausitzring, located between Berlin and Dresden, is the only German circuit featuring banked corners, although they are used extremely rarely.
DTM is presenting the extra spectacular at the Lausitzring to coincide with the long-awaited opening of the grandstands. For the two DTM races on Saturday and Sunday, the grandstands can be filled to one-third of their capacity. Tickets can be ordered in advance from the DTM Ticket Shop (tickets.dtm.com) or the DTM Ticket Hotline +49 1806 991166.
The uniquity of DEKRA Lausitzrings: a real treat for motorsport fans
The integration of Turn 1 ist still subject to homologation for the extension of the track by the global motoring federation FIA. The configuration with the banked corner has a length of 4.575 kilometres and therefore is almost just as long as the 4.570 kilometres long Grand Prix track, a lay-out incorporating two infield sections without banked corners.
“We want to make use of the uniquity of DEKRA Lausitzring and exclusively offer the DTM fans this extra spectacular this year and also in the years to come,” says Frederic Elsner, director event & operations at the DTM organisation ITR. “It will be a breathtaking, unforgettable experience when the drivers have to master this corner at highspeed, pure racing action! The track layout is an undisputed highlight, a first for all the drivers and all motorsport fans, whether they are finally back close to the action in the grandstands or anywhere in the world in front of the screens.”
To prepare for the challenge of the banked corner, drivers from DTM and DTM Trophy get the opportunity of an additional, non-compulsory practice session. The other race series on the DTM platform – DTM Trophy, DTM Classic Touring car Legends, the new BMW M2 Cup and, for the first time, Ferrari Challenge Deutschland – will also be racing on the track configuration including Turn 1.