Update: Morning glory for DTM pacesetters

The Abt Sportsline-run Audi TT-R of Wendlinger/Abt/Nissen/Werner led as of 10:00am local time, although the Opel Astra of Reuter/Scheider/Tiemann/Strycek is keeping them honest.

The big story of the night was the Zakspeed-run Dodge Viper of Zakowski/Lamy/Lechner, which continues to run third despite a five-lap penalty for using a larger fuel tank than is required by the regulations. It has caught up one of the laps, but is only likely to be in a position to win if the DTM cars fail. The team is appealing against the penalty and, if successful, would be in the lead.

The Grohs/Schamarch/Fischer/Reisert Porsche 996 has risen to fourth position, with the similar Manthey-run car of Luhr/Collard/Bernhard up to fifth after earlier delays. The impressive Nissan Skyline of Asch/Schoysman/Kinoshita/Tanaka, which had run in the top five, has hit trouble and is sitting in the pits with its engine removed. The Uwe Alzen (Porsche 996 Turbo), which started from pole, retired from the race following a second gearbox failure.

The second Audi, driven by Abt/Biela/Ekstrom/Wendlinger, has been plagued with power steering problems, and suffered an off into a gravel trap last night. It is down in 67th position.

The fightback of the Stuck/Said/Nielsen/Duez BMW, which had broken down on the opening lap of the race, ended when Boris Said crashed just after 3am. The second car of J Muller/D Muller/Hurtgen/Duez, which suffered even more than its sister car on the opening lap, has carved its way through the pack into sixth.


Nissen/Abt/Wendlinger/Werner Abt Audi TT-R, 111 laps
Reuter/Scheider/Tiemann/Strycek Opel Astra V8 Coupe
Zakowski/Lamy/Lechner Dodge Viper
Grohs/Schamarch/Fischer/Reisert Porsche 996
Luhr/Collard/Bernhard Porsche 996 Turbo
J Muller/D Muller/Hurtgen/Duez BMW M3