18th July, 2012
DTM: Thomas Straka new head of Press & Public Relations
DTM
München Thomas Straka (43) will take over the lead of the Press & Public Relations department of the ITR e.V. for the DTM and the Formula 3 Euro Series on August 15th. Following the London Olympics, the seasoned agency journalist will change from the Sport-Informations-Dienst (SID) to the ITR and will strengthen the existing team with Anja Wente and Fabian Liboschik. Thomas Straka will have his first assignment at the race track during the sixth DTM season round at the Nürburgring, August 19th.
“We are delighted that, with Thomas Straka, we have succeeded in getting a dedicated communication professional from the sports are to lead our Press & Public Relations department. With his many years of journalistic experience and his network, he is exactly the right person not only to continue the successful work of the department, but also to set new steps. For many in the DTM, he isn’t unknown, because he has been covering the series for the SID for many years already. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Krutinat, the outgoing head of the department, for the many years of co-operation and we wish him all the best for his future,” says Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman, ITR e.V.
“With Thomas Straka, an experienced motorsport journalist steps over from the Sport-Informations-Dienst to the ITR. We are delighted that the quality of our editors is also being widely acknowledged outside of our company. Thomas Straka’s move is another example for this. We wish him all the best for his new task as the DTM’s press spokesperson,” says Yacine Le Forestier, chief-editor of the SID.
Thomas Straka is a certified sport scientist (specialised in sports publishing studies) and after his internship at the regional sports news agency Media Sportservice West (MSPW) in Gelsenkirchen, he came to join the SID in August 1997. In 15 years, most recently as head of the motorsports department, he covered two FIFA World Cups and two European Football Championships, two hockey World Championships and over 100 Formula 1 races as a reporter for the SID. He has already been covering the DTM since its renewed start in the year 2000.
