New drivers, plenty of action for the fans and the title decision in all three classifications - the ADAC GT Masters grand finale at Hockenheim this weekend (2nd - 4th October) will be one to remember. The latest news ahead of the final races upon which the destination of the title hinges:
Match point for Ludwig and Asch: The tension will be on a high as the ADAC GT Masters weekend gets underway at Hockenheim. Championship leaders Luca Ludwig and Sebastian Asch have an immediate chance to clinch the title on Saturday. Providing the Mercedes-Benz pairing do not lose more than five points to closest pursuer Dominik Baumann, the title is in the bag.
New team champions: One thing is already settled ahead of the final weekend - there will be a new name on the team championship trophy. The top team in the 2015 ADAC GT Masters 2015 is a three-way battle between Team Zakspeed, BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert and GW IT Racing Team Schütz Motorsport. None of these three outfits have previously won the ADAC GT Masters team championship.
Grand finale live on SPORT1: The two last races of the 2015 season will be shown live and in full on SPORT1. Coverage on Saturday and Sunday commences at 13:00 CEST. Both races can also be watched online via the free live stream on www.adac.de/motorsport. In addition, SPORT1 will be broadcasting all three final races of the 2015 ADAC Formula 4 from Hockenheim live on Saturday and Sunday.
New team-mate for Assenheimer: Patrick Assenheimer will be sharing the cockpit of his Callaway Competition Corvette with a new co-driver this weekend. Since Diego Alessi is otherwise engaged, Andreas Simonsen has stepped in to replace the Italian. Simonsen has already contested several races this year in a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG entered by HP Racing; his place there has been taken by record DTM championship winner Bernd Schneider.
Comeback for Engelhart: Just in time for the finale, Christian Engelhart makes his return to the ADAC GT Masters in support of Klaus Bachler as he challenges for the title in his Porsche 911. Engelhart assisted the Austrian contender in winning the season opener. Bachler was subsequently partnered by Philipp Eng and Martin Ragginger. Due to a clash of engagements for Ragginger, Engelhart comes in as his replacement.
Three new BMW drivers: In addition to DTM star Bruno Spengler, two other drivers are making their debut in a BMW Z4 at Hockenheim. Michael Joos will be sharing the Senkyr Motorsport BMW with Lennart Marioneck, while BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert have recruited Niklas Mackschin to partner Claudia Hürtgen in her Z4.
ADAC TCR Germany preview: ADAC TCR Germany is to be launched next year. The new touring car series will come under the spotlight over the weekend at Hockenheim. A Honda Civic, a Subaru Impreza, a Seat Leon and a Volkswagen Golf from next year's competition will be on display next to the Greschbachhalle in the paddock.
Grid walk tickets: Early birds at Hockenheim on Saturday and Sunday have the opportunity to purchase one of the 100 additional tickets providing access to the starting grid. These strictly limited tickets for the price of 20 euros are only available from the box office.
Pit walk: This is an absolute must for aficionados of the sport. The pit lane will be open to fans on Saturday and Sunday from 11:10 until 11:40 hours. Along with the Meet the Drivers autograph session (Saturday from 15:30 in front of the Greschbachhalle in the paddock), this is an excellent opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars and inspect the ADAC GT Masters super sports cars.
Full-on action: Fans in the Südtribüne won't miss a single moment of the racing action this weekend. The races will be shown on a large video wall opposite the grandstand.
Up close: Spectators at Hockenheim can get an even deeper insight into the Super Sports Cars League from the so-called 'Fanboxes'. Two garages have been specifically set aside for fans, offering unobstructed views into the pits of teams working underneath. The two Fanboxes at Hockenheim are between the garages used by RWT Racing and kfzteile24 MS RACING and between Senkyr Motorsport and Racing Team GW IT Schütz Motorsport. Access to the Fanboxes is free of charge.