The Norisring race weekend (June 23 to 24) marks the highlight of the 2018 DTM season for Schaeffler: The city circuit in Nuremberg and the company’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach are only a 30-minute drive apart from each other.

Regular attendance figures in the six-digit range, summer temperatures on most occasions and the location of the race track directly adjacent to Nuremberg’s “Dutzendteich” lake – it is not for nothing that the DTM event at the Norisring, taking cues from the Formula 1 highlight in the principality, is dubbed “Monaco of the DTM.” In addition, it is truly a home round for Schaeffler: Due to the geographic proximity, many employees of the technology group experience the unique atmosphere of the DTM live in the grandstands year after year.

The track also exudes its tremendous fascination because of its uniqueness. The Norisring is one of the circuits the series has traditionally been racing on. Only twice in DTM history the venue did not appear on the calendar. In addition, it is the season’s only city street circuit. Slippery road markings, treacherous bumps and a narrow track limited by guard rails put the drivers through their paces on each of the 2.3 kilometer long laps. Last year, Schaeffler driver Mike Rockenfeller broke his midfoot in an accident that was not his fault. This year, Rocky is traveling to the event as the Audi driver with the best points score.

On Thursday (June 21), Mike Rockenfeller will be a guest at the “VDI Technikmeile” technology show in Nuremberg’s pedestrian zone in front of St. Lorenz (St. Lawrence) church to answer questions by DTM track announcer and RTL TV editor Peter Reichert at the Schaeffler booth. The show car of his Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM can be admired as well. Schaeffler will be showcasing innovations and technologies centered on electric mobility, transmission systems and the entire energy chain. Other highlights include a 3D printer in action and the opportunity for visitors to personally try their skills in virtual welding.

Long DTM tradition

Even in the DTM’s initial years, Schaeffler and its product brands supported drivers and teams with know-how in motorsport and technology. Since 2011 the technology group has been giving its name to the Schaeffler Audi and celebrated major successes including two title wins. In the DTM, cars with internal combustion engines have traditionally been used. This is a field in which Schaeffler makes an important contribution as well with innovative technologies and products to make IC engines efficient and fit for mobility for tomorrow.