Opel boss shakes down latest DTM Astra

Former Opel race and test driver Strycek drove the Astra V8 Coupe over three days at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya last week and reported no problems. The Wednesday and Thursday were dry, with rain on Friday.

Explaining why Strycek, and not one of the marque's contracted drivers undertook the shakedown, an Opel spokesman said: "Volker and [chief designer] Donatus Wichelhaus go back a long way and understand each other's thoughts. He was the right man to do the basic tests."

The car is an evolution of last year's V8 Coupe, which won eight of last year's DTM races. Championship organiser ITR has allowed Opel to lengthen the wheelbase to that of rival Mercedes' CLK, while the Opel Performance Centre has also refined the aerodynamic package.

DTM runner-up Manuel Reuter was also on hand to carry Dunlop tyre tests with a 2000-spec, ex-Uwe Alzen car, while Opel youngster Steffen Schulz was carrying out acclimatisation work with an ex-Eric Helary machine.

Opel will test head-to-head with Mercedes for the first time on March 20/21 at Hockenheim, with two new cars set to be ready for then. Third marque Audi has also been allowed to lengthen its wheelbase for 2001, but the Abt-built TT-Rs are not expected to test alongside Opel and Merc until early April.

The second 2001-spec Opel to be built is earmarked for Jo Winkelhock, with Reuter receiving the third. Opel is expected to field a minimum of four 2001-spec cars in this year's DTM, with the remainder of its expected eight-car attack using 2000 machinery.