Friday practice: Audi one, two, three
The Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R squad returned to the scene of its greatest DTM triumph, the Nurburgring, and shot straight to the top of the timesheets today (Friday)
Former British Touring Car champion Laurent Aiello, Swedish youngster Mattias Ekstrom and Christian Abt locked out the top three positions for the Kempten-based team in free practice on Friday, and only runaway points leader Bernd Schneider could get amongst them in his AMG Mercedes.
The reigning champ pipped the fourth Audi, that of German young gun Martin Tomczyk, by less than a tenth of a second, but trailed Aiello's quickest time by 0.356secs.
Aiello, who won on the Grand Prix circuit in May, is confident he can repeat that success on the short track layout of the venue this weekend.
"That was my best moment in the DTM so far," said Aiello of his victory. "We always find a good set-up for the Nurburgring. I will do everything to repeat that success this weekend."
He set the fastest time in the second session despite a high speed trip across the gravel trap at the Veedol chicane, which limited his track time.
Norisring winner Uwe Alzen was sixth fastest, ahead of fellow Mercedes pilots Patrick Huisman, Thomas Jager (who halted this morning's session with a trip in the gravel), Lausitz victor Peter Dumbreck (who also went off this morning at the Veedol Chicane), Bernd Maylander (who went off at the hairpin) and Darren Turner.
Top Opel driver was Michael Bartels in 13th, although Alain Menu ended the first session in seventh. The Swiss was unable to better his time in the afternoon period.
Adding to Opel's woes, its top man Manuel Reuter failed to record a flying lap in the second session, and was also slow this morning.
Laurent Aiello, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m05.382s
Mattias Ekstrom, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m05.655s
Christian Abt, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m05.687s
Bernd Schneider, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, 1m05.738s
Martin Tomczyk, 2001 Abt Sportsline Audi TT-R, 1m05.824s
Uwe Alzen, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, 1m06.035s
Patrick Huisman, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, 1m06.062s
Tomas Jager, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, 1m06.159s
Peter Dumbreck, 2001 D2 Mercedes CLK, 1m06.208s
Bernd Maylander, 2001 Eschmann-Manthey Mercedes CLK, 1m06.237s
Christijan Albers, 2000 Persson Mercedes CLK, 1m06.351s
Darren Turner, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, 1m06.354s
Michael Bartels, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.399s
Marcel Fassler, 2001 Warsteiner Mercedes CLK, 1m06.451s
Alain Menu, 2001 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.520s
Yves Olivier, 2000 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.610s
Timo Scheider, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m06.612s
Joachim Winkelhock, 2001 Holzer Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.151s
David Saelens, 2000 Rosberg Mercedes CLK, 1m07.171s
Hubert Haupt, 2000 Euroteam Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.267s
Manuel Reuter, 2001 Phoenix Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.490s
Peter Mamerow, 2000 Mamerow Opel Astra Coupe, 1m07.719s
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