DTM invites Ukrainian citizens to its first German season round at Lausitzring

That is what Martin Tomczyk, DTM Representative Brand & Sports, exclusively announced during a charity football match between Bundesliga team Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Ukrainian national team in the Borussia Park this evening. It was the first match of the Ukrainian team since the war started. The match, with high-class line-ups on both sides, was held as a sign of solidarity while also serving as a preparation match for the national team for its qualification matches to participate in the World Cup in Qatar. The match was broadcast live on ProSieben. All the proceedings from the match, once expenses by Borussia Mönchengladbach have been deducted, will benefit people in and from Ukraine.

Martin Tomczyk, who concluded his active career as a driver at the end of last year, aged 40, and has been part of the management of the DTM organisation ITR since 1 January 2022, already became involved himself at an early stage. Tomczyk, born in Rosenheim, together with friends and family got people around them involved as well and started off with a dozen lorries towards the border in early March to deliver relief goods that were urgently needed over there.

“I am still overwhelmed by the willingness to help and the effort that has been made available within a few hours only. Of course, the activity cost a lot of energy. Firstly all the organisational aspects, then we were packing boxes until late at night, loaded the lorries and set off in the morning hours. All in all, we were on the road for 25 hours and on Monday, it was straight back into the office. However, it is still sending shivers down my spine, I was there, I saw and felt for myself how urgently our help is needed. And at the end of the day, that makes up for everything,” Tomczyk said during the ProSieben broadcast behind Matthias Opdenhövel’s microphone. “ProSieben is our TV partner in the German-speaking region and we found the idea of this charity match so great that we spontaneously decided to repeat the invitation for Ukrainian citizens at Lausitzring.” 

The invitation is valid for all citizens holding a Ukrainian passport. The corresponding free tickets in category 2 (grandstands B & G) including paddock and pitwalk experience will be handed out at the ticket booths on-site upon presentation of the passport.

The race at Lausitzring is the first DTM season round in Germany and also marks the season opener for the platform’s own series DTM Trophy and DTM Classic.