DTM at the ?K?? ? a logistic tour de force
Wiesbaden/D?sseldorf ? On 15th April, the DTM Launch will be held in D?sseldorf. To offer the 470bhp touring cars of Audi and Mercedes-Benz the chance of contesting their demonstration runs, there, an enormous logistical effort has to be made. On the one hand, to ensure optimum safety for the spectators, on the other, to provide both the on-site crowds and the TV audience all around the world with the best possible information on the action.
At the same time, it represents a true challenge for the teams of Audi and Mercedes-Benz to arrive at the launch?s venue in time, as the DTM cars are testing at Oschersleben up to and including Friday, 13th April. To make sure that they will arrive in D?sseldorf in time, on Saturday noon, the cars are stripped and made ?ready to race? for the launch right at Oschersleben. Altogether, the teams bring ten DTM racing cars and two safety-cars to the regional capital. In addition, five racing cars of the DTM partner series also will be brought to the launch.
1,400 crash barriers and 3.5 kilometres of safety fences make for safety
The erection of the catering stands will begin as early as on Thursday, 12th April. 100,000 fried sausages, 80,000 bread rolls, 20.000 cutlets, 20,000 meatballs and 10,000 potato pancakes will be prepared for the launch visitors. From Friday evening, the ?K?? slowly will be turned into a racetrack. To ensure the safety of the spectators, 50 semi-trailers will bring 1,400 steel crash barriers ? with a total length of 2,500 metres ? as well as 125 individual concrete walls, with the latter featuring a total length of 300 metres and a total weight of more than 160 tons. Furthermore, 1,400 safety fences will be erected over a distance of 3.5 kilometres. To complete the assembly, more than 250 helpers have to work for 36 hours, while a safety staff comprising more than 200 experienced staff members is necessary to guarantee ? in cooperation with police and fire brigade ? the smooth course of the event.
Seven 15-square metre screens and more than 90 speakers with a total output of 10,000 watt make for an optimum vision and sound experience. They will be installed along the track. Therefore, the visitors at the ?K?? will be very close to the action and won?t miss anything, no matter if the V8 racers of Audi and Mercedes-Benz are just completing their laps or if the drivers are interviewed on the show stage by presenter Claus Lufen.
16 cameras for the TV coverage in 176 countries
The DTM Launch will be covered in 176 countries all around the planet, with one of Europe?s most sophisticate OB-trucks being used for the coverage. 35 contributors will be responsible for the TV coverage alone. Altogether, a total of 34 kilometres of wire will be passed. 16 cameras will be installed around the track, two of them crane cameras with a length of 7.5 and 15 metres respectively. And a camera helicopter is going to provide spectacular pictures from the bird?s eye view.
When the event ends at 18.30, this represents the start of a race against the clock at the same time: over night, all the facilities will be dismantled by busy helpers. On Monday morning, from 06.00hrs, the K?nigsallee again will be open for the public traffic while the DTM teams already have hit the road for Hockenheim where the season opener will be held from 20th to 22nd April.
