Abt Sportsline Contests DTM With Audi TT

Källa Abt

After winning the German Super Touring Championship (STW) in 1999, Abt Sportsline takes on a new challenge in motorsport. With three 450 hp Abt-Audi TTs, the world´s largest VW and Audi tuning company will contest the DTM 2000 (German Touring Masters). Confirmed pilots are STW Champion Christian Abt (D) and Monaco-resident Kris Nissen from Denmark. The third cockpit is still vacant.

"We are convinced that the new DTM will be a great success. Therefore, we, as a team, wanted to be part of it right from the very start," explains team boss Hans-Jürgen Abt. "I´m delighted that we got the green light from the Deutsche Motor Sport Bund following the recommendations of the Touring Car Association (ITR) and the DTM Commission. Together with Mercedes and Opel we can contribute to building up the new DTM series."

At the Abt Sportsline base in Kempten, the pressure is now on to develop the Abt-Audi TT in time for the DTM. Because the go-ahead for the project came very late, testing can only begin end-April at the earliest, leaving less than four weeks before the first race on 28 May at Hockenheim. "The 2000 season will be a year of learning for us," emphasises Hans-Jürgen Abt. "It is a huge challenge for Abt Sportsline to develop such a vehicle under our own direction. That´s why one shouldn´t expect miracles in the first year. In the next months we face a massive workload. But I´m convinced that Abt Sportsline has the technical competence to design and build a competitive DTM car."

This opinion is shared by his brother Christian Abt, who will pilot one of the three Abt-Audi TTs flying the yellow corporate colours of Hasseröder. "2000 is a year of development for us. We want to learn as much as possible, and our aim is to be amongst the front-runners by 2001 at the latest. I´m absolutely thrilled that I can compete in such a popular racing series. That is a dream come true for me. For many years it was my greatest goal to contest the DTM. And to do this with an Audi is the icing on the cake."

Abt´s team mate, Kris Nissen, can already look back on a successful DTM past. The Dane won the DTM round on the famed Norisring in 1994. "I´m pleased to be back," explains Nissen. "I´ve studied the regulations thoroughly and I´m convinced that the DTM will be an overwhelming experience for all involved, from spectators to drivers. Opel and Mercedes have built up a super series. And thanks to Abt Sportsline a third marque will be part of the action from the very start. This can only strengthen the DTM."

The pilot of the third Abt-Audi TT is still to be confirmed. From the second half of the season a fourth vehicle will be run. This cockpit is also vacant.