Normally their used to having grass under their feet went participating in sport but this afternoon the surface was somewhat different on the grounds of the Driving Center at the Baden-Airpark. Prior to EURO 2012 qualifier between Austria and Germany, Martin Harnik and Christian Träsch accepted an invitation from Mercedes-Benz to show just what they are capable of on the racing track.
 
"Petrol in my veins"
 
The C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz where fittingly in red and white for the Austrian and German internationals. At the end of the race though, there was only one man celebrating: Christian Träsch. The 23 year old completed the 3.36km course almost a second faster than his opponent and secured the win for Germany: "That was great fun," declared Träsch, whilst Harnik, who was already thinking about what he can get up to after he’s hung up his boots: "I have petrol in my veins and could well imagine having something to do with motor sport. The car was fantastic – top quality, dynamic and sporty."

Martin Harnik will have the opportunity to get his revenge in the European Championship qualifier in Vienna on Friday evening. A win at the Praterstadion would see the Austrian’s move into a more promising position in the group: “We know that it’s a tough task but it wouldn’t be the first time that a big nation stumbled over an underdog,” said Harnik. Christian Träsch had also been looking forward to going head-to-head with his VfB team mate but has been forced out of the reckoning having suffered an ankle ligament injury during training with the DFB eleven: “We want to maintain our position in the group and plan to take all three points away with us,” said Träsch, who will be forced to watch the game on television from home.