The ADAC GT Masters approaches another season highlight at full speed. For the first time the "super sportscar league" stages a race during the ADAC Truck Grand Prix weekend at the Nürburgring. The ADAC GT Masters brings a dream starting grid to entertain the incredible backdrop of 200,000 spectators expected throughout the weekend: more than 40 sportscars representing nine different manufacturers prepare to inspire the fans.

Among the hunted this weekend are Championship leaders Alexandros Margaritis (26, Cologne) and Dino Lunardi (32, France) in the BMW ALPINA B6 fielded by LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler. The lurid green Coupé won three of the previous four races at the "Ring". "However, we race on the sprint circuit at the Nürburgring this year and carry success ballast as stipulated by the regulations," explained Alex Margaritis. "As a result for us it's all about making no mistakes and scoring as many points as possible while weighing up the risks in the process."

The two BMW ALPINA drivers face tough competition from the ABT Audi R8 duo Luca Ludwig (22, Bonn) and Christopher Mies (22, Heiligenhaus) as well as the two Stuck sons Johannes (24) and Ferdinand (20, both from Austria) in the Reiter Lamborghini Gallardo. Their team mates defending Champion Albert von Thurn und Taxis (28, Regensburg) and Philip Geipel (24, Plauen) also aim to make up ground in the championship after taking their first podium of the season in the last race. Former Formula 1 World Championship runnerup Heinz-Harald Frentzen (44, Monaco), who shares a Callaway Corvette with ski jumping legend Sven Hannawald (36, Munich), also aims to continue his upward trend.

The innumerable ADAC GT Masters teams from the Eifel region such as the Mercedes squads HEICO MOTORSPORT and Black Falcon as well as Phoenix Racing Pole Promotion (Audi R8), Vulkan Racing Mintgen Motorsport (Dodge Viper) and HARIBO TEAM MANTHEY (Porsche 911) also aim to make a good account of themselves in front of the home fans.

Winkelhock will compete

Fans at the Nürburgring can look forward to seeing two familiar racing drivers who make their ADAC GT Masters debut at the weekend: former DTM and Formula 1 driver and current championship leader in the FIA GT1 World Championship Markus Winkelhock will compete at the wheel of an Audi R8 entered by the 9 ELF Team Dutt Motorsport, sportscar ace Andrea Piccini drives an Audi for local matadors Phoenix Racing Pole Promotion.