27th November, 2010
The DTM in China - a logistical masterpiece
DTM
Shanghai. The DTM has arrived in China to find its 2010 champion. The Chinese metropolis of Shanghai is hosting the eleventh and final race weekend of the 2010 season. Planning and organising this event was a huge logistical effort. In early October, 472 tyres and 7,800 litres of fuel were shipped to the Far East already. After the penultimate round at Adria in Italy, DTM series’ partner Deutsche Post/DHL dispatched 18 race cars from Audi and Mercedes-Benz, two DTM taxis, two safety cars, spare parts, wheels and equipment in three Boeing 747-400 cargo planes from Frankfurt-Hahn airport to China. Impressive: the three airplanes had a total loading capacity of over 300 tons.
Some 500 team members, DMSB officials, representatives of the series’ partners, organisers and journalists travelled to Shanghai in time for the decisive race weekend. On site, a total of 5,000 people on behalf of the local organisers, Brilliant Culture Group (BCG) were involved to make sure that the 2.465 kilometres long circuit in the Pudong district is ready in time for the race. Work started on the day after the EXPO closed its doors on November 1st. 2000 concrete elements were installed alongside the track with a total length of eight kilometres and a total weight of 10,400 tons. More than 200 truck rides from the Shanghai International Circuit, a little bit over 40 kilometres away, were necessary to deliver the mobile track elements. Most of the cars and the equipment will be brought back by boat, which will take seven weeks.
The first DTM event in Shanghai back in 2004 was an invitational race, the round on Sunday at 8.23 h (CET) is an official championship round with a special character. In the eleventh and final round of the 2010 DTM season, three Mercedes-Benz drivers are still fighting for the DTM championship crown. Points’ leader Bruno Spengler has the best chances. The Canadian has 66 points. His two fellow Mercedes-Benz drivers Paul Di Resta and Gary Paffett, both from Great Britain, are following suit with 63 and 57 points respectively.
