After a successful debut in the DTM Trophy last year and fifth place in the GT4 Series Team Championship, Heide-Motorsport continues to place its trust in the Audi R8 LMS and will field three of the manufacturer‘s cars. Mikaeel Pitamber (RSA), who will start his first season in European motorsport, has already been confirmed as the first driver.
The South African discovered his passion for motorsport at a very early age – after his first racing experiences at the age of three, he was able to win his first regional championships at the age of seven. While he has been on the starting grid of many national racing events to date, he will be contesting the DTM Trophy together with Heide-Motorsport in the 2022 season.
„We are delighted to be competing in the DTM Trophy again”, says team boss Michael Heide. „ After we already clinched our debut victory last year and were able to gain a lot of valuable experience, we are of course continuing to build on the cooperation with Audi Sport. For us as a team, the DTM Trophy is currently the most attractive championship for production-based sports cars in Germany and with Mikaeel, we have a young and talented driver on board – we can hardly wait until things finally get going again.“
„For me, starting in the DTM Trophy is a dream come true“, says Mikaeel Pitamber. „Ever since I got back into a race car in 2020 after a break due to injury and drove my first GT3 and GT4 races at home in South Africa last season, I can‘t wait to compete in the support races of the DTM! I‘m working hard every day towards my goal of becoming a factory driver and hope I can inspire others through it!“
The DTM Trophy championship will comprise seven race weekends with 14 sprint races in the coming season, starting at the DEKRA Lausitzring Turn 1 in mid-May. All races will be broadcast live and in full length.
In addition to the DTM Trophy, Heide-Motorsport is planning guest appearances at selected endurance races. At these weekends, the racing team will bring up to two Audi R8 LMS GT4 cars to the starting grid.