Pros among pros RaceRoom's stand hosted the ultimate gamers' shoot-out on Saturday afternoon. Five online gamers, who had been successful in a previous competition, competed on simulators against two ADAC GT Masters drivers, Marvin Dienst and Jordan Pepper, in the ADAC GT Masters Experience racing game. Two of the gamers had flown in especially from Romania. After an exciting race, one of the challengers won through and was delighted to win VIP tickets for the 2017 season.
Fourth to make three figures The second race at the Hockenheimring and the last of the 2016 ADAC GT Masters season will mark a very special milestone for Luca Ludwig, who becomes the fourth driver after his team-mate and the driver with the most starts, Sebastian Asch, and Toni Seiler and Daniel Keilwitz to reach the magic figure of 100 races in the Super Sports Car League. "I'm now finally one of the veteran drivers," said the 2015 champion. "I've practically grown up with the ADAC GT Masters. I first entered in 2009 and have never stopped since. I've seen the series for hobby drivers evolve to become a highly professional platform. At any rate, 100 races definitely makes a nice round number. Maybe there's another 100 still in me!"
Nailing their colours to the mast This summer, Team Montaplast by Land-Motorsport took delivery of the 200th Audi R8 to come off the line. The special 200th sports car is displayed in the Hockenheim paddock along with an unexpected sign propped up behind the windscreen: "2017 ADAC GT Masters here we come!" Team boss Wolfgang Land told us: "We really enjoyed our first year in the series, and so, we are only too pleased to announce that we'll definitely be back next year, fielding the 200th Audi R8 LMS!"
Vettel at the ADAC GT Masters Norbert Vettel came to the Super Sports Car League to take in the GT scene. This is not the first time that the father of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has been at the season finale, he's a regular at the ADAC GT Masters in Hockenheim.
Rapper comes to call German rapper Kay One was in Hockenheim as a guest of ADAC Formula 4 driver, Sophia Flörsch, and also had a good look around the ADAC GT Masters paddock.
O'zapft is! With more than a nod to the Oktoberfest, the ADAC GT Masters will celebrate the successful completion of its tenth anniversary season on Sunday night. Swabian brewery Dinkelacker is providing a 30-litre keg for the occasion to be tapped by the new champions along with ADAC Sports President Hermann Tomczyk.
Productive cooperation At the Hockenheimring, ADAC GT Masters partner PostCon held a management workshop headed by Michael Mews, Chief Sales Officer of PostCon Germany, after which all those taking part enjoyed a look behind the scenes.
VIP guests Other senior representatives from partners of the Super Sports Car League were at the season finale, including, Frank Delesen, CEO of Pirelli Germany, Markus Asch, Vice-Chairman of the Management Board at Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co.KG, Christian May, Managing Director Retail Channels and Marketing worldwide and Patrick Spachmann, Head of Marketing & Product Management at Kärcher. Bentley Team ABT had a VIP visitor to wish them luck. Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of the British luxury brand, came to the ADAC GT Masters shoot-out and watched the final race of the season for Christian Abt's Kempten-based team from the pits.
Three questions for ... Martin Tomczyk
This is your second time at the ADAC GT Masters after coming to the season opener at Oschersleben. What do you think of the series in general? "The ADAC GT Masters is the only motor racing series that I watch on TV apart from the DTM, in which I'm involved as a driver. The standard of driving is very high. And if in the last race, drivers from three different manufacturers still have a chance of winning the title, then it shows that the concept behind the series is working."
How are you getting on with your team, Schubert Motorsport, and with the BMW M6? "I've known Team Schubert for quite some time. They are a very professional outfit. The BMW has great potential but unfortunately, hasn't shown its true worth this season. However, it's never easy when you're the only team in the series to field a new GT3 car. We would be highly delighted if we could secure another decent result in the last race."
2016 marks the end of a long career in the DTM for you. What are your plans for next year? "BMW intend to extend their involvement in GT racing in 2017 with plans to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship, the WEC. I'm sure to find a position with them somewhere, but I would be only too happy to contest more races in the ADAC GT Masters."