Race 2: Alzen doubles up

Alzen's Opel streaked into the lead from the start as Joachim Winkelhock (Opel) dived past Bernd Schneider's Mercedes into the first turn. Michael Bartels also tried to pass the champion, but his Opel spun him around instead, causing pandemonium behind. Marcel Fassler hit Eric Helary into a spin, who was then rammed by Peter Dumbreck. Further chaos occurred at the Ostkurve, when Kris Nissen spun his Audi, collecting Klaus Ludwig in the process.

Alzen, meanwhile, strode away at the front, while Winkelhock headed Bartels and Modena in an all-Opel top four. Pedro Lamy was the top Merc in fifth, ahead of the recovering Schneider, Timo Scheider and Darren Turner. Dumbreck was out, though, as his bonnet flew off after his earlier contact.

Manuel Reuter, who started from the back after his first race dramas, was again in the wars. He had just drafted past Thomas Jager when they collided under braking for the Ayrton Senna Chicane, and Reuter was fired off into the barrier at high speed; he was uninjured.

Schneider, meanwhile, carved his way up to fourth before pitting for new tyres at half distance. He rejoined late on, seemingly with the sole intention of performing a lurid series of doughnuts on the slowing down lap to celebrate his recent title win.

Alzen took the win from Winkelhock, who took advantage when Bartels slowed with bodywork rubbing on his right-front tyre, the smoke from which poured into his cockpit and made him sick after the race. He braved it out to finish third, ahead of Stefano Modena, Marcel Tiemann and Turner. James Thompson was ninth in the only Audi to survive the race after a stirring dice with the Merc of Thomas Jager.


1 Uwe Alzen, Opel, 32m37.261s
2 Joachim Winkelhock, Opel, +10.075s
3 Michael Bartels, Opel, +11.848s
4 Stefano Modena, Opel, +17.052s
5 Marcel Tiemann, Mercedes, +22.449s
6 Darren Turner, Mercedes, +22.927s
7 Eric Helary, Opel, +30.151s
8 Thomas Jager, Mercedes, +36.363s
9 James Thompson, Audi, +36.773s
10 Pedro Lamy, Mercedes, +1 lap