From the Audi V8 quattro to the Audi A4 DTM

When the new DTM series starts at Hockenheim on April 9th, there will be a small anniversary to celebrate: 2006 marks Audi’s tenth year of contesting the most popular international touring car racing series. Four champion’s titles, 35 victories, 30 pole positions and 26 fastest race laps make Audi one of the most successful brands in DTM history.

At its first appearance in the DTM Audi immediately left a lasting impression. In the Audi V8 quattro, a vehicle derived from the production version, Hans-Joachim Stuck clinched the title for Ingolstadt in the brand’s debut year of 1990 straight away, owing – last not least – to the superior quattro drive. 1991 saw Frank Biela triumphant, thus making Audi the first manufacturer to manage a successful defence of the title.

In the 2004 season, when Audi made its comeback to the series as a manufacturer, Mattias Ekström in the A4 DTM yet again claimed the championship straight away. The fourth DTM title on Audi’s track record was captured by Team Abt Sportsline, which had been entering the Abt-Audi TT-R from 2000 to 2003 as an Audi customer team, winning the championship with Laurent Aiello in 2002.

In each of Audi’s four champion’s years the closest rival in the fight for the DTM crown was Mercedes-Benz – and in the 2006 season Germany’s two leading automobile manufacturers will again be fighting for the prestigious title.