Audi to support Junior Team.

Audi has revealed that it is to back its 'young guns' in a separate 'Junior Team' when the new DTM season kicks off at Hockenheim on 27 April.

Peter Terting and Martin Tomczyk will compete in the German touring car series as part of the 'S line Audi Junior Team', running a pair of Audi TT-R, fielded by Abt Sportsline and underlining the involvement of Audi AG by displaying the company's famous red and silver motorsport colours in addition to the four rings logo. The S Line brand of sports equipment produced by Quattro GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audi AG is the team's main 'sponsor'. Other partners involved in the new project include Audi Customer Service and Audi Original Parts as well as the Audi Bank.

"Particularly in touring car racing, the duels between the veterans and ambitious young drivers are that extra highlight," explained Werner Frowein, managing director of Quattro GmbH, which, in 2003, will again supply the Audi RS6 as safety car at several DTM races, "In Peter and Martin, we are fortunate to have such a strong Junior Team. That both names begin with a 'T' is, in view of the racecars, also no disadvantage."

While 21-year old Tomczyk will be starting his third DTM season as an Audi Junior, having already made an impact in the series, 19-year old Terting enters unknown territory having jumped from karts and junior single-seater racing into the ADAC VW Lupo Cup before being promoted to the DTM on the back of his title in the hotly-contested tin-top series last year.

"Martin regularly demonstrated his potential and, in spite of his youth, made a name for himself in the DTM scene," said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Sport, "Peter impressed with his strong performance in the VW Lupo Cup and, following the first tests in a DTM car, I am sure that he will also go far. His jump into the DTM also confirms the success of the Volkswagen Concern's young driver scheme. The ADAC VW Lupo Cup is an excellent school for touring car drivers."

The target of Audi's direct involvement in the junior team is to support both drivers during their careers in professional motorsport.

"From now on, Peter and Martin will be integrated as much as possible in Audi Sport activities, and therefore have the opportunity to grow within the Audi Motorsport family," Ullrich continued.

During the new DTM season, Tomczyk will drive the #14 car and his new colleague the #15.

"Not so long ago, the DTM was just a dream for me," Terting admitted, "I am therefore even happier that Audi has given me the opportunity to gather experience at the highest level."