On the track in a coach with DTM cars in motion? What spectators can expect at the Nürburgring, what the experience costs and how many seats are available
During the DTM test at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, the new format was tested for the first time with media representatives, now the European premiere will follow at the Nürburgring: For the first time, spectators will be offered a so-called track safari during a DTM weekend.
A fully occupied coach will travel along the track with the cars and the fans can experience the cars up close and – as is usual on a safari – “in the wild”.
“We just want to try this out and offer the spectators an extra benefit,” says ADAC motorsport boss Thomas Voss, explaining the introduction of the new attraction. “Now we are looking at how it works. I could imagine us doing this more often in the future if it’s successful. “
Track Safari following second free practice session
But what exactly is planned at the Nürburgring? There will only be one track safari at the upcoming DTM weekend, scheduled for Friday after the second free practice session. That makes sense, because qualifying and racing take place on Saturday and Sunday – there is little time for such show elements.
The 15-minute special session will start five minutes after the end of the second practice at 15:35. Unlike in Spielberg, there will not only be one coach, but three vehicles. They will take to the track before the cars.
When the traffic lights turn green, one DTM car per team will drive onto the track, which means that 14 cars will take part in the session. The three coaches complete a total of two laps. On the first lap, the coach will keep to one side of the road, on the second to the other, so that all occupants can enjoy the action.
Track Safari: With the coach during a DTM session in Spielberg on the race track pic.twitter.com/wFFF8xdvik
– Sven Haidinger (@SvenHaidinger) April 17, 2023
A DTM driver explains – according to the announcement – the secrets and special features of the track in the coach meanwhile.
“A good copy is better than a bad copy “
“We adopted the track safari from Japan – according to the motto: well copied is better than badly homemade,” says Voss, referring to the popular concept from the Japanese Super GT series, which the DTM came into contact with for the first time at the Dream Race in Fuji at the end of 2019 and whose introduction was also advocated by Race Director Sven Stoppe.
He worked on a mode for safe implementation this season. “The drivers are of course informed and briefed,” says Voss. “They won’t go full throttle, but it’s an experience to see even from a moving vehicle how the race cars go around you, how the drivers turn the steering wheel. “
99 euros per ticket, weather could be a spoiler
So the ADAC promises fans a completely new experience – but at what price? Tickets for the track safari are currently still available and cost 99 euros each. That’s a little more expensive than a conventional weekend ticket, but for a very exclusive experience.
Even in Japan, the coveted track safari seats are mostly raffled off through prize competitions. The DTM also has a small contingent for partners and prize draws, but the majority of the 100 or so seats can be purchased on the open market.
The only thing that could spoil the game now is the weather, because typical Eifel conditions are forecast for the weekend. And if it rains too hard, the Track Safari might not be able to take place for safety reasons.
