Audi A4 DTM stars at Estoril

Three Audi R8 prototypes at the LMES premiere

Fredrik Ekblom narrowly misses podium

Abt-Audi TT-R continues to win DTM: The new Audi A4 DTM and Mattias Ekström played a starring role in the DTM race at Estoril (Portugal). The 25-year old Swede took pole position in Super Pole qualifying. From the start, Ekström led the race before he was held up by a slower rival, dropping behind eventual winner Christijan Albers. Ekström followed the Dutchman to the line like a shadow, but was not presented with an overtaking opportunity around the tight circuit. 22-year old Martin Tomczyk celebrated his first DTM podium finish. Tom Kristensen completed the Audi success in fourth place. After two races, Audi is the new DTM Manufacturers' Championship leader, in the Drivers' Championship Mattias Ekström is second.

LMES: The new Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) celebrates its premiere at the 1000-kilometere race to be held in the King's park of Monza close to Milan (Italy) next weekend. 55 cars, including 24 prototypes, are entered for the race that starts on Sunday at 1:20 pm. Among the favourites are three Audi R8 prototypes of Audi importer teams, Audi Sport Japan Team Goh (Seiji Ara/Rinaldo Capello/Tom Kristensen) and Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx (Pierre Kaffer/Allan McNish and Jamie Davies/Johnny Herbert).

STCC: Audi driver Fredrik Ekblom only narrowly missed a podium finish at the opening races of the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) at Knutstorp. After the reigning champion had finished a disheartening fourth in the frist race, Ekblom's Audi A4 was gunning for a podium finish in the second race. After a door-to-door duel with a competitor, whilst running second, the defending champion was given a 20-second penalty and dropped back to sixth place.

Brazil: As the new Audi A4 competes for victory in the DTM, the Abt-Audi TT-R has started a successful career across the Atlantic: Laurent Aiello's year-old car won the "Campeonato Brasiliero de Endurance" season opener, a 1000-kilometere race in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil. Xandy, Guto and Xandinho Negrão won by 23 laps with their TT-R that in the meantime has been painted light blue.