DTM at the ‘Kö’ – a logistic tour
de force
On 15th April, the DTM Launch will be held in Düsseldorf.
To offer the 470bhp touring cars of Audi and Mercedes-Benz
the chance of contesting their demonstration runs, there,
an enormous logistical effort has to be made. On the one hand,
to ensure optimum safety for the spectators, on the other,
to provide both the on-site crowds and the TV audience all
around the world with the best possible information on the
action.
At the same time, it represents a true challenge for the
teams of Audi and Mercedes-Benz to arrive at the launch’s
venue in time, as the DTM cars are testing at Oschersleben
up to and including Friday, 13th April. To make sure that
they will arrive in Düsseldorf in time, on Saturday noon,
the cars are stripped and made ‘ready to race’
for the launch right at Oschersleben. Altogether, the teams
bring ten DTM racing cars and two safety-cars to the regional
capital. In addition, five racing cars of the DTM partner
series also will be brought to the launch.
1,400 crash barriers and 3.5 kilometres of safety
fences make for safety
The erection of the catering stands will begin as early as
on Thursday, 12th April. 100,000 fried sausages, 80,000 bread
rolls, 20.000 cutlets, 20,000 meatballs and 10,000 potato
pancakes will be prepared for the launch visitors. From Friday
evening, the ‘Kö’ slowly will be turned into
a racetrack. To ensure the safety of the spectators, 50 semi-trailers
will bring 1,400 steel crash barriers – with a total
length of 2,500 metres – as well as 125 individual concrete
walls, with the latter featuring a total length of 300 metres
and a total weight of more than 160 tons. Furthermore, 1,400
safety fences will be erected over a distance of 3.5 kilometres.
To complete the assembly, more than 250 helpers have to work
for 36 hours, while a safety staff comprising more than 200
experienced staff members is necessary to guarantee –
in cooperation with police and fire brigade – the smooth
course of the event.
Seven 15-square metre screens and more than 90 speakers with
a total output of 10,000 watt make for an optimum vision and
sound experience. They will be installed along the track.
Therefore, the visitors at the ‘Kö’ will
be very close to the action and won’t miss anything,
no matter if the V8 racers of Audi and Mercedes-Benz are just
completing their laps or if the drivers are interviewed on
the show stage by presenter Claus Lufen.
16 cameras for the TV coverage in 176 countries
The DTM Launch will be covered in 176 countries all around
the planet, with one of Europe’s most sophisticate OB-trucks
being used for the coverage. 35 contributors will be responsible
for the TV coverage alone. Altogether, a total of 34 kilometres
of wire will be passed. 16 cameras will be installed around
the track, two of them crane cameras with a length of 7.5
and 15 metres respectively. And a camera helicopter is going
to provide spectacular pictures from the bird’s eye
view.
When the event ends at 18.30, this represents the start of
a race against the clock at the same time: over night, all
the facilities will be dismantled by busy helpers. On Monday
morning, from 06.00hrs, the Königsallee again will be
open for the public traffic while the DTM teams already have
hit the road for Hockenheim where the season opener will be
held from 20th to 22nd April.
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