Qualifying: Opel rout led by Reuter

The championship runner-up's 2m07.619s lap pipped fellow Opel drivers Uwe Alzen and Eric Helary into second and third, with Mercedes' newly-crowned champion Bernd Schneider making good use of a tow to snatch fourth from a further trio of Opels headed by Smokin' Jo Winkelhock.

"We went faster in testing, but I'm highly satisfied with my performance," said Reuter.

Slip-streaming was key to a fast Mercedes time, although Schneider chastised Mercedes colleague Peter Dumbreck for hampering him on what he felt was a quicker lap. Opel's straightline advantage allowed its drivers to set fast times unaided, meaning the pole passed frequently between Reuter, Alzen and Winkelhock.

Laurent Aiello played the tow game too, taking ninth overall at the last gasp thanks to getting in Schneider's slipstream which he reckoned was worth three-tenths. The Frenchman wound up just ahead of top Brit Darren Turner in his Team Rosberg Mercedes. Dumbreck was 13th, while James Thompson was second quickest of the Audis in 17th position.

Opel Motorsport boss Volker Strycek predicts Sunday's races could have a few surprises in store: "The slipstream could affect tomorrow's outcome, maybe the guy who starts 16th could finish fourth! The championship may be over but all the drivers can race for victory. We want to finish the season equal with Mercedes in terms of wins."

With the title and runner-up spot already settled and the battle for third between Klaus Ludwig, Marcel Fassler and Winkelhock, Sunday's pair of races promise to be no-holds barred thrillers, with an interesting wildcard in the form of the Hockenheim leaves. In qualifying, several cars suffered from blocked radiator inlets - expect much worse over a full race distance.


1 Manuel Reuter, Opel, 2m07.619s
2 Uwe Alzen, Opel, 2m07.647s
3 Eric Helary, Opel, 2m08.085s
4 Bernd Schneider, Mercedes, 2m08.201s
5 Joachim Winkelhock, Opel, 2m08.437s
6 Christian Menzel, Opel, 2m08.505s
7 Michael Bartels, Opel, 2m08.593s
8 Pedro Lamy, Mercedes, 2m08.925s
9 Laurent Aiello, Audi, 2m09.024s
10 Darren Turner, Mercedes, 2m09.094s
11 Klaus Ludwig, Mercedes, 2m09.104s
12 Timo Scheider, Opel, 2m09.146s
13 Peter Dumbreck, Mercedes, 2m09.317s
14 Marcel Fassler, Mercedes, 2m09.325s
15 Marcel Tiemann, Mercedes, 2m09.370s
16 Stefano Modena, Opel, 2m09.588s
17 James Thompson, Audi, 2m09.738s
18 Thomas Jager, Mercedes, 2m09.787s
19 Kris Nissen, Audi, 2m09.824s
20 Christian Abt, Audi, 2m09.854s