McNISH HEADS IN TO THE UNKNOWN FOR DTM RACE

Allan McNish will journey in to the unknown when he heads for the EuroSpeedway circuit - the stage for the second round of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) on Sunday (1 May).

The Scotsman will race his “factory” 2005 Audi A4 DTM at the Lausitz track having never previously visited the recently revised 1.95-mile circuit near Dresden, let alone raced there.

Dumfries-born McNish, 34, qualified 14th and finished 11th on his DTM début at Hockenheim (17 April) but despite his lack of knowledge of the EuroSpeedway, is optimistic he can claim his first DTM points by finishing inside the top-eight.

Allan commented: “I’ve never been to the EuroSpeedway in Lausitz and the track layout has been slightly revised this year. From what I’ve been told its an ‘unusual’ venue, devoid of trees and in the middle of nowhere particularly.

“Until my final pit stop at Hockenheim we were fighting for points and a top-10 placing was definitely possible. However, I struggled to get grip from the last set of tyres after my second and final compulsory pit-stop.

“That prevented me from pushing the car hard and I lost out in the closing stages. That aside it was invaluable experience for myself and Audi which will make us more competitive in Lausitzring.”

Audi’s defending DTM champion Mattias Ekström (Sweden), who started from pole-position in the Hockenheim opener, won the corresponding race last year - one of five DTM wins the German car manufacturer claimed.

Christian Abt (Germany) lies fourth in the DTM standings having finished one place ahead of fifth-placed Ekström at Hockenheim in their 2004 & ’05 Audi A4DTMs respectively.

McNish drives one of four ‘05-model A4 DTM cars entered by Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline alongside Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Martin Tomczyk (Germany). Audi Sport Team Joest looks after the quartet of year-old cars of Christian Abt, Rinaldo Capello (Italy), Pierre Kaffer (Germany) and Frank Stippler (Germany).

A crowd of 113,000 attended the Hockenheim DTM opener while 70,000 are expected at the EuroSpeedway this weekend.

Allan concluded: “Everyone in the team is really eager to strike back after the somewhat disappointing result at Hockenheim. I now know a little more about how a DTM weekend functions and that’s why I’m confident of looking better at the Lausitzring.”