McNish to See Through Season

McNish had originally only been drafted in for the Silverstone round last month, which he won, but the DTM driver will now contest the Nurburgring race on September 4th and the Istanbul event on November 13th.

"I'm now doing the final two LMES rounds at the Nurburgring and then Istanbul Park in November," said McNish on Monday. "Neither race clashes with DTM, ORECA wanted me again and Audi Sport were more than happy to accommodate their wish.

"I've raced an R8 at the Nurburgring on two previous occasions, in my 2000 American Le Mans Series winning season and last year.

"Five years ago my co-driver Rinaldo Capello qualified in pole-position but I aquaplaned off the wet track and hit a rut which damaged the floor and radiators causing instant retirement. Last year my co-driver Pierre Kaffer, who like Rinaldo is also racing for Audi in the DTM with me, qualified on the front row and we went on to win while I also set the fastest race lap."

McNish will have a bit of an advantage in the final race of the season in Turkey, with the DTM visiting there in October.

"I'll get an opportunity to race at the new Istanbul track prior to the LMES event as the DTM heads there the previous month (on October 2nd). I've won 50 percent of my races in an Audi R8 and it would be good to add to that tally, although it's going to be very tough."