DTM Stars Shine at DKM Mid-Season Event in Ampfing

The German Kart Championship (DKM) reached the halfway point of the 2026 season at the Schweppermannring in Ampfing. A total of 135 drivers from 20 nations delivered thrilling racing on the 1,063-meter circuit. Particular attention was drawn to the guest appearances of DTM driver Arjun Maini and DTM TV commentator David Schumacher (both Arena E Team) in the OK-N category.
 

Maini was impressed by the professionalism of modern karting, enjoyed competing in the highly competitive field, and clearly relished his race weekend. Schumacher also enjoyed returning to the roots of motorsport, reconnecting with many familiar faces in the paddock. His final, however, came to an early end after a first-lap collision.

Sunday's racing brought changing weather conditions. After sunny and warm conditions on Friday and Saturday, an early morning thunderstorm added an extra challenge. The Super Heats were contested on wet and drying asphalt, while the track had completely dried by the time the Finals began.
 

Victories at the third of five DKM events went to Matej Preuss (KZ2), Mikas Toro Lundsholm (Mini), Henri Möhring (OK-N Junior), Jakub Kamenik (OK-N) and Marc Gerstenkorn (KZ2 Cup). Three of those drivers celebrated their first victories of the season.

KZ2: Matej Preuss takes control after dramatic opening

Emilien Denner (Formula K SRP Factory Team) set the pace in KZ2 throughout Saturday. Fresh from winning the FIA Karting European Championship, the Frenchman claimed pole position and won both heats to lead the standings ahead of Daniel Stell, Marek Skrivan, Matej Preuss, and Robert Kindervater.

On Sunday morning, Dion van Werven won the Super Heat, but Denner retained pole position for the Final. Skrivan made the strongest start, but the race quickly changed when Denner attacked the Czech driver, allowing Matej Preuss to seize the lead. From there, the Formula K driver steadily built a comfortable advantage and controlled the race to the finish.
 

A fierce battle for third ended dramatically when Skrivan and Tommie van der Struijs collided four laps from the finish, eliminating both from podium contention. Preuss secured both victory and the fastest lap ahead of Denner and Van Werven, while Kindervater and Norton Andreasson completed the top five.
 

"Everything came together perfectly today and earned me my first win of the season. It has significantly improved my championship position, and I hope to return to the podium in the remaining races," said Preuss.

KZ2 Championship Standings after Round 3
1. Emilien Denner – 236 pts
2. Dion van Werven – 199 pts
3. Daniel Stell – 196 pts
4. Matej Preuss – 191 pts
5. Marek Skrivan – 189 pts

Mini: Mikas Toro Lundsholm triumphs after multiple lead changes

The youngest competitors once again produced spectacular racing. Albert Poulsen dominated qualifying, both heats and the Super Heat before disaster struck just before the Final when his engine failed to start, forcing him to chase the field from the back.

At the front, Mikas Toro Lundsholm, Lion Osaj, Leo Klok, and Roman Meister traded the lead repeatedly in one of the closest races of the season. Poulsen produced an impressive recovery drive but eventually dropped to sixth after receiving a five-second penalty.

Toro Lundsholm narrowly defeated Klok, while Osaj completed the podium ahead of Ben Bernhard and Maddox Mason.

"I had to fight hard all weekend. There wasn't a single moment where I could afford a mistake," said Toro Lundsholm.

Mini Championship Standings after Round 3
1. Albert Poulsen – 255 pts
2. Mikas Toro Lundsholm – 228 pts
3. Leo Klok – 217 pts
4. Lion Osaj – 188 pts
5. Maddox Mason – 167 pts

OK-N Junior: Third consecutive victory for Henri Möhring

Championship leader Henri Möhring (Dörr Motorsport) continued his remarkable season by claiming pole position, winning both heats and the Super Heat. The Final initially looked more difficult after a poor start dropped him to third behind Bruno Alexander Greiling and Carlos Nees. Möhring quickly fought back, reclaimed the lead with eight laps remaining and pulled away for his third consecutive Final victory.

Greiling finished second, while Aurelio Longhitano climbed from sixth on the grid to third. Milan Rossi and Jonathan Maier completed the top five.
 

"After the start it was important to fight back to the front. I managed to do that and extend my championship lead with a third straight victory," said Möhring.

OK-N Junior Championship Standings after Round 3
1. Henri Möhring – 296 pts
2. Milan Rossi – 230 pts
3. Mattao Mason – 182 pts
4. Carlos Nees – 174 pts
5. Bruno Alexander Greiling – 143 pts

OK-N: Jakub Kamenik dominates the final

Guest driver Milosz Smuk topped qualifying in his DKM debut before victories in the heats went to Emilio Bernd and Jakub Kamenik, who carried his momentum into Sunday by also winning the Super Heat. Starting from pole, Kamenik immediately took control of the Final and steadily increased his advantage.

"It was my first visit to Ampfing, and I immediately felt comfortable. The circuit is fantastic and the second consecutive victory feels great," said Kamenik.

Behind him, Marius Bonconseil secured second ahead of Nikolas Simic, while Smuk finished fourth and Semir Velija fifth. The DTM guest drivers also impressed. Arjun Maini climbed from 17th to 14th in the Final, while David Schumacher retired after a first-lap incident.

Maini commented:

"It's fantastic to race in a professional karting championship again. Working with the team has been great, and the young drivers even gave me a few useful tips after my first laps."

Schumacher added:

"The karting paddock is like one big family. I met so many familiar faces. Racing isn't as easy as it was nine years ago, but it's still enormous fun. Our goal was to bring attention to karting because this is where tomorrow's stars begin."

OK-N Championship Standings after Round 3
1. Jakub Kamenik – 283 pts
2. Ben Goetz – 210 pts
3. Constantin Papst – 209 pts
4. Marius Bonconseil – 154 pts
5. Lias Erbersdobler – 154 pts

KZ2 Cup: First victory of the season for Marc Gerstenkorn

Racing on his home circuit, Marc Gerstenkorn (Mach1 Motorsport) dominated Saturday by taking pole position and winning all three heats. Changing weather conditions reshuffled the order on Sunday. Oskar Steinbach secured pole position for the Final after winning his Super Heat, while Gerstenkorn started third following contact in his own race.

Although light rain threatened before the Final, the race started on a dry circuit. Oliver Staedtler initially led before Gerstenkorn overtook him one lap later and gradually pulled away.

A red flag ended the race prematurely, confirming Gerstenkorn as the winner. Emanuel Mai inherited second after Staedtler received a five-second jump-start penalty, while championship leader Staedtler was classified third ahead of Steinbach and Milan van Winden.

"Finally! I've been close several times this season. After second place in Mülsen and third in Cheb, it was finally time to win," said Gerstenkorn.

KZ2 Cup Championship Standings after Round 3
1. Oliver Staedtler – 244 pts
2. Marc Gerstenkorn – 236 pts
3. Manuel Kastl – 189 pts
4. Oskar Steinbach – 123 pts
5. Emanuel Mai – 107 pts

Next Stop: Kerpen

Following an action-packed mid-season event in Ampfing, the DKM now heads into the decisive phase of the championship. From August 14–16, the series travels to the legendary Erftlandring in Kerpen for the fourth of five rounds, where the battle for all five championship titles will intensify.