Photo: bmw
Few people actually know this but the Norisring, the track in Nurnberg where the DTM is heading this weekend, is put together by volunteers each year. The circuit uses city streets and needs a helping hand to be put together.
This year, BMW’s DTM Driver, Marco Wittmann was amongst the people that helped out. Marco, who won the Rookie of the year award in 2013, lives in Furth, just 20 km away from the street circuit around the Dutzendteich. Therefore, for him, this is more than just a race, with all of his friends and family cheering him on from the sidelines.
As a junior, Wittmann got quite familiar with the track and he still is a member of the Motorsport Club Nurnberg that keeps the Norisring alive and well. Helping out was only natural, considering all of this.
With Wolfgang Schlosser, the chairman of the MCN looking over the work, Marco did everything he could to make sure all is well. First, he jumped behind the wheel of a forklift and put some concrete crash barriers in place, near the entrance of the pit lane. Then, he used a special machine to paint the white lines that mark the same entrance and assembled seats in one of the grandstands.
“That is the first time I have ever driven a forklift,” said Wittmann. “After some brief instructions it actually worked very well and I was at least able to lend the many volunteers a hand with setting up my home track. These people really do a great job and ensure that we enjoy a very special race here year after year. It is exciting to see the circuit being put together, rather than just the finished product that we drivers are greeted by on the weekend.”
That wasn’t all though. After the work was done, he headed to the “Fränkische Schweiz” region for a nice session of climbing. With the help of professional instructors, the DTM Driver tackled a steep face, showing that his sporting talent extends to greater lengths than just motorsport.
“I have been on a climbing wall a few times, but never a natural rock face,” said Wittmann. “That was a new and exciting experience for me. I was obviously determined to conquer the entire face, which I did in the end. I had a lot of fun and can well imagine I will give it another go some time.”
Now, he’s all prepared for the race on Sunday and the qualifying rounds that will take place on Saturday. You can check out some of his work in the photos below.
As a junior, Wittmann got quite familiar with the track and he still is a member of the Motorsport Club Nurnberg that keeps the Norisring alive and well. Helping out was only natural, considering all of this.
With Wolfgang Schlosser, the chairman of the MCN looking over the work, Marco did everything he could to make sure all is well. First, he jumped behind the wheel of a forklift and put some concrete crash barriers in place, near the entrance of the pit lane. Then, he used a special machine to paint the white lines that mark the same entrance and assembled seats in one of the grandstands.
“That is the first time I have ever driven a forklift,” said Wittmann. “After some brief instructions it actually worked very well and I was at least able to lend the many volunteers a hand with setting up my home track. These people really do a great job and ensure that we enjoy a very special race here year after year. It is exciting to see the circuit being put together, rather than just the finished product that we drivers are greeted by on the weekend.”
That wasn’t all though. After the work was done, he headed to the “Fränkische Schweiz” region for a nice session of climbing. With the help of professional instructors, the DTM Driver tackled a steep face, showing that his sporting talent extends to greater lengths than just motorsport.
“I have been on a climbing wall a few times, but never a natural rock face,” said Wittmann. “That was a new and exciting experience for me. I was obviously determined to conquer the entire face, which I did in the end. I had a lot of fun and can well imagine I will give it another go some time.”
Now, he’s all prepared for the race on Sunday and the qualifying rounds that will take place on Saturday. You can check out some of his work in the photos below.
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