Author: jp

Just a few days before the start of the season at Portimão (Saturday from 12:30 p.m. CEST and Sunday from 1 p.m. CEST live on ProSieben), ABT Sportsline has gained another strong partner for its involvement in the DTM in the form of the Austrian leisure and holiday region ÖTZTAL GURGL, whose trademark will be featured prominently on all three Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars driven by Ricardo Feller (Switzerland), René Rast (Germany) and Kelvin van der Linde (South Africa). For team owner Hans-Jürgen Abt this is further confirmation of why ABT Sportsline is backing the popular racing series for the 23rd year in a row. In an interview, he explains what expectations the team from Bavaria has for the new DTM season.

The new DTM season kicks off at Portimão this weekend. Is the start of the DTM season still something special after 22 years?
I think the beginning of every season is special. You’re always fired up after a long winter break. You want to see where you stand and whether you’ve done everything right regarding your preparation.

ABT is the most successful active DTM team. What are ABT Sportsline’s expectations for the new season?
It is always our goal to fight for the championship. We have achieved this in almost every season so far. We have also done everything again to create the best base for this.

After many years as an Audi factory team, ABT Sportsline was on its own again for the first time in 2021. How did the first year with the GT cars go from your point of view?
Surprisingly well. It was a team-based DTM season for the first time in many years. I was taken by the high level of professionalism. Everyone worked hard to put together a great racing series. That was definitely the right way to go.

Portimão presents a full grid with a variety of brands and strong teams and drivers. Do you like the current version of DTM?
You see great, cool motorsport in the DTM: thrilling battles, an extremely competitive grid. These are the best prerequisites for fan interest to reach old heights again. Corona slowed us down a bit last year, but the conditions are completely different now.

So, Gerhard Berger’s decision to go for GT cars was the right one?
Absolutely! More and more teams are attaching importance to competing in the DTM and not in other racing series. The package Gerhard has put together is a good one. GT3 was absolutely the right decision after the DTM with the Class 1 cars.

Why is the DTM already one of the most popular GT racing series in the world after only one year?
Because they all want to race against us … Seriously: The name DTM is simply a centre of attraction. People know about the DTM – for 22 years and even longer. We were a founding member when it was relaunched in 2000. Since then, the DTM has survived all of its crises and shown that it is a strong German and European racing series that arouses interest everywhere.

You can see this in the three ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars: there are hardly any cars on the grid on which the trademarks of so many strong partners can be seen. This shows: The DTM and ABT Sportsline are very attractive.
The DTM spirit works, and we really enjoy sharing this professionally with our partners. On the one hand, we offer joint event experiences. In addition, we want to show that we are a strong team. Our head of sports marketing, Harry Unflath, is doing a great job. With the ÖTZTAL GURGL region, we have gained another strong partner from the winter sports sector shortly before the start of the season. They are rightly convinced that they reach the right target group with the DTM and that the series is a great platform for sponsors. We are proud that ÖTZTAL GURGL has chosen ABT Sportsline and that we will have a strong presence in the DTM together.

What is the importance of a strong TV partner like ProSieben for the DTM and ABT Sportsline?
Television has always been an important topic for the DTM – despite streaming and social media. ProSieben has a cool target group and is, in inverted commas, a “younger channel”. You can see that they simply have fun with the DTM. They do a very good job. We also know them from Formula E. They know motorsport and want to establish themselves even more as a motorsport channel in the future. We can be thankful that we are allowed to work with them.

70 years after your father Johann Abt’s first race, ABT Sportsline’s motto is more than ever “from the racetrack to the road”. How important are successes in the DTM for the ABT Sportsline company?
This is a very important topic for us. We want to show that we build great cars, stand behind our products and do everything with full commitment. We simply know that the spark from motorsport is transmitted. That’s part of the DNA of many companies – even if that might be changing a bit right now due to electric mobility. But we still see the DTM absolutely as an environment in which we can show what’s behind our company ABT Sportsline. Many of our customers are happy when they see on TV, Saturdays and Sundays, that one of our cars is winning – and with it, there is also a little piece of them.

What is more important: victories or the championship title?
The important thing is to be competitive and in such a good position to be able to fight for victories. Wins are the first requirement to win a championship in the end. When it works out, you are especially happy. We have already won many championships in the DTM, even if the last one was some time ago. But you can also be proud of the many runner-up positions, because they also show that we were always competitive, that we were always right there at the top. That has always been the most important thing for me personally. In the end, in motorsport, the luckiest driver often wins the title.

The last time ABT Sportsline was the DTM champion was in 2009. Does it hurt that the title has been narrowly missed time and again since then?
Yes, of course it hurts. But it is also a new incentive for the next year in order to eliminate one or two mistakes. You have to keep at it and act with the team in such a way that the base is created to be able to become champion at all. We are talking about 29 cars in this DTM season. It’s not even granted to finish in the top three. It’s a long season. Whoever drives the smartest might end up winning the championship.

With Ricardo Feller, René Rast and Kelvin van der Linde, ABT Sportsline has three of the strongest drivers in the DTM this year. Doesn’t that also harbour a certain danger? In the end, there can only be one champion …
I prefer to have the three in my own team and not to race against them. That’s a very simple calculation. It’s important that they push each other, that they deal well with each other, that they are open with each other, exchange data and work together on the strategy. That’s how you can be successful. It’s also clear that we have to give everything as a team when you have three drivers that are so strong.

How would you describe the three of them?
Ricardo is a typical Swiss. I have the feeling that he is very relaxed in his approach. But I think he has the necessary aggressiveness in the car. With Kelvin, we know he has it. And he is strong in qualifying. René has a lot of experience. He already has three DTM titles under his belt, but he certainly receives some pressure from the two young drivers. We also know that he is a very good analyst. He can always set the car up perfectly for himself. I think the three of them fit together very well.

ABT Sportsline will start this year with Audi’s evo II. What can this model do better than its predecessor?
The R8 has always been a good car in terms of its basic philosophy. They have now improved the stability, the balance between understeer and oversteer. It’s more balanced now. In the DTM, it’s still a lot about the tyres. We are happy with the upgrade from Audi Sport customer racing.

DTM with GT racing cars only works with the “balance of performance”. What does ABT want from the DTM organisation in this respect?
This will always be a tricky issue and you will never find the perfect solution. Basically, the DTM has to create the conditions for all of the cars to be at the front at every circuit. After all, the cars work differently on the different tracks. In addition, we still have the handicap weight system. There is something wrong with the balance of performance if someone wins on Saturday and is still far ahead the next day. It is important to recognise this and create a reasonable balance between the brands, otherwise it will be difficult. The issue will run through this year as well, but there is no other way with the GT cars, and other racing series also have this issue.

Last year, the Audi teams were at a disadvantage in terms of pit stops, due to the regulations. Has this been solved for 2022?
Yes, I think so. Above all, people are no longer under such extreme pressure during the pit stops. Everyone should be able to live with the latest framework.

A future pillar of the DTM will be the DTM Electric. What is ABT Sportsline’s position on this?
We are not yet deeply involved in the topic, but we welcome the step. You have to be careful not to have too many weaknesses at the beginning, because a new racing series usually has weaknesses. You have to make sure that the sport doesn’t suffer. But if you can do that, DTM Electric can have a great future.

Last question: How often will fans see Hans-Jürgen Abt at the DTM in 2022? After all, your personal Twitter account is still @coolmandtm – that suggests that your heart still beats especially for the DTM …
Yes, absolutely, otherwise I wouldn’t be there. With Thomas Biermaier as the team principal, we have a very good team on site. But I always like to come by to observe what is happening and hopefully also to contribute a little bit. So, there are already a few races planned for this year – including Portimão. I’m already very excited to see what comes out of it.

Quotes before the DTM season opener at Portimão

Thomas Biermaier (Team Principal): “We are happy that the new season is finally getting underway after the long winter break. The expectations are always high for us. Wherever we compete on a racetrack, we want to win or fight at the front. It is clearly our goal to win races in the DTM this year, as well as to fight for the championship with all three drivers until the very end, if possible. We have always been close in the last few years. But being close wasn’t enough to bring home the big trophy. That is clearly one of our goals this year. We have often been defeated by René (Rast) recently. That’s why we thought it would be best to bring him into our team. I think the combination with Kelvin (van der Linde), Ricardo (Feller) and our team is promising. I’m already very excited to see how the three of them will perform at Portimão and where we stand compared to the competition.”

Kelvin van der Linde (ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II #3): “I haven’t ever raced at Portimão. I’ve only been there for testing. It’s a new challenge. We had some good test days there. The car felt very good. So, I’m positive for the race. The goal is to start the season with strong points. After we came close to winning the championship last year, anything other than aiming to win the title would not be enough – not only the drivers’ title, but also the teams’ title for ABT. We have a great bunch of drivers and will work well together this year, sharing data and trying to bring the titles home to ABT Sportsline.”

Ricardo Feller (ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II #7): “It feels really cool to be in the DTM. It was always a dream of mine. This dream came true and I am super happy with Team ABT Sportsline. I’m really looking forward to the first race in Portimão. I’ve never raced at the circuit, but I tested there for one day and really liked the track. It has a lot of medium-speed corners and elevation changes. It’s quite cool.”

René Rast (ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II #33): “After one year in Formula E and only watching DTM, it feels good to be back in the car competing against all of these guys. I do not have any expectations for Portimão. We do not really know how competitive the others are. We think we are in the mix. Obviously, I am hoping that I can score my first points in the GT3 era of the DTM as soon as possible, but it will be difficult. I will give my best to really maximize what we have. The ultimate goal is always to win the title. We will try to bring the title back to Kempten.”

The RS Q8 is the top model in Audi’s Q series. Sporty performance, combined with the elegance of a premium SUV coupé, characterises the vehicle with the four rings. With the new, strictly limited RSQ8 Signature Edition, ABT Sportsline has further enhanced the sporty exclusivity of this basic model. True to its own motto “From the racetrack to the road”, the German company has transformed the fast SUV into a Racing Utility Vehicle. In allusion to ABT’s founding year of 1896, only 96 examples are hand-built by experienced racing mechanics. A maximum of eight per month. “Only those who take their time can create something timeless,” says Managing Partner Hans-Jürgen Abt. However, it is not only the small quantities that arouse desire. In the attractive guise of the RSQ8 Signature Edition, the V8 biturbo engine now produces an impressive 800 HP (589 kW). The special model thus follows on from the Johann Abt Signature Edition based on the Audi RS 6 presented in 2021 to mark the company’s 125th anniversary. It is therefore only the second vehicle model from ABT Sportsline to be awarded the title “Signature Edition” and thus the highest level of exclusivity. A time capsule is also once again on board, containing a genuine fragment from the history of the the world’s largest automotive aftermarket and performance parts specialist for Audi and VW.

With the experience gained from countless races combined with top-class craftsmanship, the ABT mechanics extract an incredible 200 additional HP from the RS Q8’s engine. In just 3.2 seconds, the Racing Utility Vehicle from ABT Sportsline sprints from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour – a racy 0.6 seconds faster than its production counterpart. It is literally breath-taking for the driver when he is pressed into the seat by the 1,000 Newton metres that are evenly distributed to the four wheels thanks to permanent all-wheel drive. Propulsion only stops at 315 km/h The exclusive ABT Power R* performance upgrade is responsible for the extremely impressive performance. The intercooler and turbocharger, which were specially developed for the Signature Edition models, in combination with the high-tech control unit ABT Engine Control (AEC), provide for the racing performance. The optimised electronic lowering system ABT Level Control ensures safe road holding at all times. The matching self-confident sound is orchestrated by an ABT exhaust system made of stainless steel, which flows into two double end pipes with a diameter of 105 millimetres.

As with the Johann Abt Signature Edition, there is once again an extensive aerodynamic kit with a special and completely different surface structure. “Signature Carbon Bold” is the motto this time for a large number of add-on parts. The striking unique structure adorns, for example, the front lip, the front blades, the front skirt inserts including air intake grille and optimised air flow, the front grill add-on, the fender extensions, the mirror caps, the door strip attachments, the rear trim panel set, the rear skirt add-on and the rear spoiler. The wheelhouse ventilation front and the rear spoiler lip are presented in “carbon glossy black”.

The forged rims of all Signature Editions are completely unique in design and are not found in the normal collection of the tuner. The HIGH PERFORMANCE “Signature Edition 23 glossy black” used here already bears its enormous dimensions in its name. The wheel with the distinctive SE lettering is even larger than on the Johann Abt Signature Edition. The corresponding tyres measure 295/35 R23.

In the interior of the RSQ8 Signature Edition, the proud owner can expect exquisite materials such as Alcantara and accents which, in terms of individuality, go far beyond the series standard of the RS model and also the R models from ABT Sportsline. Just one of many aspects here is the continuation of the elaborate diamond stitching on the seats in the course of the door refinement as well as the foot and boot mats. In addition, the “Signature Carbon Bold” surface scheme is taken up again, for example on the steering wheel clasp or the decor panels. So that you immediately know what a noble vehicle you are looking at, this RS Q8 proudly presents an embossed ABT logo in the headrests as well as the RSQ8 Signature Edition lettering embroidered in the shoulder area of the seats. This can also be found as a signet in the centre armrest, as a badge on the floor mats or in the form of the integrated entrance lights.

Even though every handcrafted component of the RSQ8 Signature Edition is something special, one unique detail still stands out. It makes each of the 96 high-performance vehicles unmistakably unique. A time capsule in the centre console contains a fragment of Johann Abt’s first winner’s trophy, which the founder’s grandson once won on the grass racecourse in his hometown of Kempten. For over 60 years, the family and the company have guarded this metal racing DNA like the apple of their eye. And now, in every vehicle, a small piece of this priceless trophy tells the story of photo finishes, pole positions and more than 300 victories that ABT Sportsline has achieved on countless racetracks around the world. From 6pm today, 28/04/2022, you can marvel at this video of the Signature Edition on the ABT YouTube-channel and on the ABT Sportsline social media channels Instagram and Facebook.

With the first official test of 2022, the final preparations for the new DTM season are really taking off. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all DTM teams will test for two days at the Hockenheimring, before two more official test days and the first race are scheduled for the end of April at Portimão, Portugal.

ABT Sportsline enters the 2022 season as the most successful active DTM team with 22 DTM years behind them. The record of the Bavarian team so far: four drivers’ championships, five team titles, 71 victories and 229 podiums in 253 DTM races.

“2022 is a very special year for ABT Sportsline,” says Head of Sports Marketing Harry Unflath. “In 1952, exactly 70 years ago, Johann Abt won the first race of his career and thus laid the foundation for today’s Team ABT Sportsline. Successes in the DTM have always been extremely valuable for us and fit perfectly with our motto ‘From the racetrack to the road’.”

With the reigning German GT Champion Ricardo Feller (Switzerland), three-time DTM Champion René Rast (Germany) and last year’s overall third-placed Kelvin van der Linde (South Africa), Team ABT Sportsline has the best prerequisites to continue its unique success story in the DTM.

This year, professional photographers and fans have an additional incentive to set their sights on the three ABT Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II cars. The ABT Photo Challenge 2022 is looking for the best photos from the 2022 DTM with reference to Team ABT Sportsline in the three categories action, emotions and partners.

All photos published on social media with the two hashtags #DTM and #TeamABTSportsline during the race weekends and the following three days are automatically eligible for the competition. After each DTM event, fans can vote via Team ABT Sportsline’s social media channels and choose the best photo in each of the three categories. The winners of each category will receive valuable prizes.

At the end of the season, all the winning photos will be entered into the grand final of the ABT Photo Challenge 2022. The partners of Team ABT Sportsline will form the jury together with the team management consisting of Hans-Jürgen Abt, Team Principal Thomas Biermaier, Head of Sports Marketing Harry Unflath and Team Manager Roger Köhler as well as the three ABT DTM drivers.

The partners of Team ABT Sportsline in the 2022 DTM are providing top-class prizes for the competition: The illustrious palette ranges from Fujitsu notebooks to air fresheners and hand-held hoovers of the Hyla brand to a car preparation by long-standing partner Sonax. ABT Sportsline is contributing valuable chronographs. The list of all prizes will be available at www.abt-sportsline.com/motorsport/dtm-photo-challenge from the end of April.

*and the early Series-II vehicles that were fitted with the old 2-litre petrol engine to use up existing stock left over from the Series I.

The Weber 34ICH carburettor kit from Webcon has long been the carburettor of choice for the discerning Landrover Series 2, 2A, 2B and Series 3 owners to replace the troublesome original Zenith 36IV, (or the poor quality Far Eastern copies), however up until now, there has not been an option for Series 1 owners to replace the original Solex.

The solution to the problem comes with the introduction of the Webcon Adaptor Plate.

The Webcon Adaptor Plate is manufactured by Webcon in the UK and allows a Weber 34ICH carburettor to be fitted in place of the Solex. Series 1 owners will be able to experience the benefits and reliability of a Weber carburettor after a few modifications to the linkage.

The Webcon Adaptor Plate is available as part number 9990401000. It comes complete with gaskets, vacuum take off, studs, nuts and washers and is priced at £65.95 plus VAT.

Available directly from Webcon and from appointed Webcon dealers around the world.
For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

The legendary Ford Crossflow engine has been in production since the mid 1960s and is still extremely popular for road and track use.
The perfect carburettor for the Crossflow for road use is the Weber 32/36. However supplies of new, original manifolds dried up years ago after they went out of production and so an upgrade to a Weber carburettor has required the installer to source a secondhand unit that has then often proved to be unsatisfactory.

Webcon is now pleased to announce the launch of its own, brand new, intake manifold to allow the fitment of a Weber 32/36 DGV, 38DGAS or Retroject EFI throttle body to the Crossflow engine.

The manifold is manufactured by Webcon in the UK and is available as part number MW4230.
It comes with complete with studs, washers, nuts and a carb insulator block and is extremely competitively priced at £298.50 plus VAT.

Available directly from Webcon and from appointed Webcon dealers around the world.
For further details contact Webcon UK on +44 (0)1932 787100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk

Spring is the time when classic cars come out of hibernation and take to the roads again. Unfortunately, it’s also the season of sudden showers.

If your classic happens to be a Mini Estate, Traveller or Countryman you’ll be relieved to hear that Mini Spares can now offer a replacement rear side window runner set to keep things watertight when the weather suddenly changes.

Mini Spares MSSK070 set of estate, Countryman or Traveller rear window sliding channels contains two upper and lower and two front and rear runners, in solid form, just like the original factory parts.

The complete kit retails at £154.44 inc VAT.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

New lenses do a lot to improve the looks of a car as well as making it more visible. On the other hand, a broken or faded rear lens will be an MOT fail and attract unwanted attention from the police.

Happily, Mini Spares now has its own rear light lenses, modelled on the original Lucas versions, for the Mini Estate and Van models and can supply them directly from stock.

Order the red brake light lens as part number 37H4963 at £36.02 each inc VAT and the amber indicator lens as part number 37H4964 at £30.60 each inc VAT.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

A Hazard Warning Light function is a discreet but important safety upgrade for all classic vehicles.

Should you need to pull over, it is vital to let other road users know your situation – particularly on what are laughingly called ‘Smart’ Motorways. Many classic cars are much smaller than modern vehicles so visibility is essential, especially in a breakdown or emergency situation.

The Mini Spares Hazard Light Module Set is an ultra reliable, universal hazard light modulethat is supplied ready to fit and is suitable for all classic vehicles … not just Minis.

It is simple to install with no requirement to replace your existing indicators. The illuminated classic style dashboard switch works with both traditional and LED bulbs and the kit is suitable for positive and negative earth vehicles. Full instructions and connectors are included.

The module will even work on cars that use the brake lights as rear indicators. These cars more than likely have a Lucas DB10 relay. In this case, simply use the specially designed additional leads when installing the Hazard Light Module and follow the relevant instructions.

The Mini Spares Hazard Light Module Set can be ordered as part number MSSK2009 at £49.97 inc. VAT.

For more details contact Mini Spares on
+44 1707 607700 or visit their website: www.minispares.com

M-Style now has a vast selection of genuine carbon fibre body kits for the BMW range of X SUV and 4×4 vehicles.

The parts employ the best manufacturing practises of dry and wet carbon production to ensure the best quality and fit.

M-Style parts are substantially cheaper than BMW original equipment but still provide a great finish with durability.

Example prices:
• F85 X5M and F86 X6M M-Style Racing full front carbon fibre front splitter £745.00 inc. VAT
• F16 X6 M-Style carbon full front splitter £495.00 inc. VAT

­For further details e-mail info@mstyle.co.uk or call 0208 598 9115

The Volvo 200 Series enjoyed a particularly long production life from 1974 right through to 1993. The 240 model was Volvo’s best selling model from 1975 to 1982 and was made in Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Australia, Canada and Malaysia. If you’re thinking of buying one of these robust classics, GAZ can provide dampers that will not only restore the ride and road holding but offer the upgrade to adjustable damping rates.

GAZ fully adjustable GT dampers enable the damping bump and rebound rate to be adjusted to suit the conditions and driving style. They have adjustable damping rates which can be altered by means of an easily accessible knob on the side of the units.

GAZ can set the dampers up for general road use, but they will also be suitable for the occasional track slalom and sprint use; alternatively they can even be set up for serious racing use if you so wish.

GAZ dampers feature a plated body and protective plastic sleeve to keep them looking good and working well for long into the future.

All units are individually tested before leaving the factory and are covered by a two year warranty.

The GAZ GT dampers for Volvo 240 retail at £70.64 each plus VAT

For further details visit the GAZ website:
www.gazshocks.com