Ingolstadt/Hockenheim – This year, the races of the DTM will be broadcast in real time or later in 86 countries on four continents, thus marking a new record for the most popular international touring car racing series in which Audi has the chance to achieve a historic hat-trick by clinching the third title in a row.

The DTM season opener at the Hockenheimring this weekend (broadcast live on Sunday, starting at 1:45 pm, local time, on “Das Erste”) will not only attract millions of TV viewers around the world. On location, advance ticket sales promise an impressive turnout as well that will also include Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Executive Board of AUDI AG, and his board colleague Michael Dick.

In addition, the 100th race in the history of the new DTM attracts VIPs galore. Among others, Audi’s guests include former soccer pro Andreas Brehme and his wife Pilar , aesthetic surgeon Dr. Werner Mang, comedian Django Asül and actors Claus-Theo Gärtner and his wife Sarah as well as Fritz Wepper and his daughter Sophie. U.S. singer Marc Terenzi and model Gina Lisa are expected at Hockenheim as well.

During the Race Party at the Audi VIP Lounge on Saturday night the band “LIVIN music family” and DJ Guido Perrey will entertain the guests. In addition, the new Audi Motorsport song “Is there a dream left” by star producer Leslie Mandoki will make its debut at Hockenheim.

The DSF TV studio will be recorded on Sunday at the Audi VIP Lounge as well. The sports channel will broadcast its analysis of the year’s first DTM race from 9:15 to 10:45 pm (local time).

In addition, at the Audi VIP Lounge live viewings of activities in Ingolstadt are planned, where the “24 Heures d’Ingolstadt” will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Some 1300 runners will cover a two-kilometer circuit through the Audi plant to raise funds for a charity and get the audience in a mood for the 24-hour race at Le Mans on June 13/14 in the process. Audi factory driver Marco Werner participates in the run as well.

Spectators at Hockenheim will also be able to marvel at AUDI AG’s new products: On Sunday, the new Audi models S4 Avant, A4 allroad quattro, TTRS Coupé and R8 V10 will be driven around the track in an Audi motorcade.

Additionally, 25 new Audi A5 Cabriolets will complete a lap around the Hockenheimring as part of the Audi Drive Away. The vehicles will be handed over to dealers from the region by Audi’s “Markt Deutschland.”

Another vehicle handover will definitely attract a particularly large number of DTM photographers: The Audi factory drivers will receive their new company cars on Saturday between 5 and 6 pm.