Audi has confirmed which four drivers will get the chance to take part in a historical crossover between the DTM and Japan's Super GT at the Fuji Speedway in November.
The special non-championship race will see each DTM team field a car for the crossover event, pitting them against Super GT's GT500 cars.
Audi has confirmed that series champion René Rast, Mike Rockenfeller, Loïc Duval and Benoît Tréluyer will compete for their respective teams.
"Obviously, we’d have preferred taking all of our drivers with us to Japan," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. "However, because of the concurrent Formula E season opener this wasn’t possible.
"I’m delighted that all three Audi Sport Teams will be on the grid at Fuji and that our customer team WRT also managed to carry out the commitment in Japan."
Rast, who will represent Audi Sport Team Rosberg, is looking forward to his first visit to Japan: "I’ve never been to Japan and am excited to see what’s awaiting us – that’ll no doubt be a cool event. The track at Fuji has a brutally long straight. Especially in the last section, it’s very technical. All of the cornering radii are very long. That’s going to be interesting, especially in terms of tire wear."
Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline's Rockenfeller added: "I’m generally looking forward to racing in Japan. I’ve never done that before in my career. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the country, the racing series and the fan culture there."
Duval, competing for Audi Sport Team Phoenix, is well versed in Japanese racing culture, having spent seven years racing in the Asian country and claimed the Super GT title in 2010.
"I had a fantastic time there and am looking forward to racing in Japan again. I’m excited about the chance of familiarising ‘Rocky’ and the others a little with the culture and the racing there. It’ll also be great to meet my fans from the Super GT and the Super Formula again. I’m sure that many people will turn out to see the DTM cars and us drivers. I’m just hoping for the weather to be on our side – that’s a small risk factor at Fuji in November."
Tréluyer is another racer with history in the country having won the Formula Nippon title in 2006 and two years later, the Super GT Championship.
"The race at Fuji makes a dream come true for me. It combines two elements to which I owe the biggest successes in my career: Japan and Audi. Obviously, after three years with only a few races, it won’t be easy for me. But I’m going to give my best and hope that I won’t disappoint WRT, Audi and my Japanese fans."
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