On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Dortmund Supercross, "Mister Supercross" Tommi Deitenbach takes us behind the scenes, tells us about the beginnings and development and of course about the highlights of this unique and traditional motocross spectacle. You can read the whole story in the current NRW issue of ADAC Motorwelt! 

Friday evening in January, 8 p.m. It is pitch dark in the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. 10,000 fans hold their breath. A mixture of excitement, anticipation and pure adrenaline is in the air. In the darkness, the first fan horns sound. Then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for: "Mister Supercross" Tommi Deitenbach pulls out the microphone and starts his legendary, second-long "Hallloooo Dortmuuuund!".

Next to him, meter-high flames of fire rise up, the spots start slowly, a La Ola wave with cell phone lights floods the spectator stand. The crowd cheers. The mood explodes. The hall is literally shaking. "Even after 40 years, it's still an absolute goosebump moment and the prelude to an amazing show!" says Deitenbach. He is something like the forefather of the ADAC Supercross in the Westfalenhalle and has been there as a presenter and creative head since the beginning. The opening with the famous welcome has become the hallmark of the event and each time marks the start of three days of intense racing action, breathtaking motocross freestyle and a spectacular laser show.

It all started quite contemplatively in 1983 as indoor cross. At that time, 125cc two-stroke motorcycles with 40 hp raced over self-screwed wooden jumps and a board track on a concrete floor in the Westfalenhalle. But it quickly becomes clear that something has to change: "We dreamed of big, full stadiums like in the USA. But it didn't look like that at first. Just half the arena was full," Deitenbach recalls. So he travels to the Supercross in Paris with his wife Petra and is thrilled: "They did everything differently, it was a real show! The lights went out. Then came great music and the spotlights went on. As a result, there was an absolute top atmosphere right from the start." It is immediately clear to him: This is exactly what is needed for the Supercross in Dortmund. Deitenbach organises music, a DJ, colourful spots and takes care of the possibility of turning off the lights in the hall to create this special opening moment.

He greeted the fans for the first time in 1986 with his "Hallloooo Dortmuuuund!". "That was a completely different opening than all cross fans in Germany had ever seen before," he says. The combination of sport and show is really well received: the first day is almost sold out. With almost 50 riders, Germany's Supercross elite was at the start at the time. The next big step: a slope made of clay instead of wooden boards. In January 1989, 100 trucks rolled the natural ground for the route into the Westfalenhalle for the first time. The Supercross event continued to grow, with a third day of racing added in 1987.

In the course of the 90s, the freestyle discipline developed into the highlight of the program. The freestyle professionals let their motorcycles fly through the hall with spectacular jumps and keep the audience in suspense. Today, the ADAC Supercross Dortmund is one of the most important Supercross events in Europe with 80 riders from 14 nations. The spectacle of laser, light and fireworks is shown in the hall on gigantic screens and follows a certain choreography. "In the meantime, we are doing a real production. Light, sound, technology, fireworks – the sequences are planned down to the last detail, just like in a TV show.

Everything has become very professional," explains Deitenbach. This is shown by the example of pyrotechnics: "At the first fireworks display in the 90s, we simply ignited New Year's Eve rockets in the hall ourselves. Today you would definitely go to jail for that," says the presenter with a laugh.

A specialist company is now responsible for indoor fireworks, which must meet certain criteria for environmental protection, fire hazard and noise emissions. Applications and permits are being submitted in advance. While the big fireworks are ignited via a double-fused, digital control system, an extinguishing device is available. During a test run, a delegation from the fire department, the city of Dortmund and the Westfalenhalle then approves the individual pyro effects. "This development now affects almost all areas of Dortmund Supercross," Deitenbach adds.

The preparations are therefore associated with an enormous amount of effort. "The set-up starts a week before. On the Saturday before the event, the complete technology for light and sound will be brought into the hall and mounted on the ceiling using 3D drawings. This so-called rigging takes 12 to 15 hours." On Sunday, thick rubber mats will be laid as a protective floor.

From Monday morning at six o'clock, the first of 200 truckloads will roll into the hall. A total of more than 4000 tonnes of natural soil will be delivered for the route. "This is a special moment. I'm usually already there, because of course I want to know what kind of condition the clay is in," says Deitenbach. The clay soil is particularly important, because it is literally the basis for the races at the Dortmund Supercross. Over the year, it is stored in a secret location and the way it is made is also a well-kept secret. Only this much can be revealed: "The perfect clay must not be too dry and, above all, not too wet."

In three and a half days, the approximately 300-metre-long route is created, which is bordered by 1200 individually wrapped straw bales. Of course, course builder Freddy Verherstraeten will also be there. The Belgian and former Grand Prix driver designs a new course every year.

The hallmark of the Dortmund Supercross is the so-called "washboard": it consists of several waves in direct succession and is the most difficult part of the race, which requires a sense of rhythm and strength at the same time. Deitenbach and his team have come up with something special for the anniversary edition: "We are going back to the roots and, as in the very first edition in 1983, are making a route with six lanes instead of the usual four. As a result, the track is longer, has more corners and takes on a completely different character."

"I have huge respect for all the participants," says Deitenbach. "I've raced myself, even though that was a very long time ago. I know what it means to train hard. The boys who risk their asses out there should feel comfortable in Dortmund. That's incredibly important to me."

The countdown to his 40th "Hallloooooooo Dortmuuuuuuund!" is on. He is still excited: "Shortly before it starts, I have sweaty hands, I check 23 times to see if I have the button for the microphone on my thumb. That's probably the only thing that will never change at our Supercross in Dortmund."

Friday Schedule

6:00 p.m. Admission
8:00 p.m. Opening
8:20 p.m. Race SX2 Qualification heats A/B 8 laps each
8:40 p.m. Race SX1 Qualification heats A/B 10 laps each
9:04 p.m. Race eKids Race 5 laps
9:19 p.m. Freestyle
9:25 p.m. Break
10:00 p.m. Opening 2
10:05 p.m. Superpole SX1 1 lap Top 6
10:17 p.m. Race Repechage SX2 8 laps
10:24 p.m. Race Repechage SX1 8 laps
10:31 p.m. Race SX4 6 laps
10:43 p.m. Race Final SX2 15 laps
11:04 p.m. Race Final SX1 20 laps
11:21 p.m. Freestyle
11:41 p.m. End of event

Saturday Schedule

5:00 p.m. Admission
7:00 p.m. Opening
7:20 p.m. Race SX2 Qualification heats A/B 8 laps each
7:40 p.m. Race SX1 Qualification heats A/B 10 laps each
8:04 p.m. Race eKids Race 5 laps
8:19 p.m. Freestyle
8:25 p.m. Break
9:00 p.m. Opening 2
9:05 p.m. Superpole SX1 1 lap Top 6
9:17 p.m. Race Repechage SX2 8 laps
9:24 p.m. Race Repechage SX1 8 laps
9:31 p.m. Race SX4 6 laps
10:46 p.m. BAR FINALE
9:57 p.m. Race Final SX2 15 laps
10:18 p.m. Race Final SX1 20 laps
10:35 p.m. Freestyle 10:55 p.m. end of event

Sunday Schedule

12:00 p.m. Admission
2:00 p.m. Opening
2:20 p.m. Superpole SX1 1 lap Top 6
2:32 p.m. Race SX1 Last Chance 8 laps
2:40 p.m. Race SX2 Qualification heats A/B 8 laps each
3:00 p.m. Race SX1 Heat 1 12 laps
3:10 p.m. Race eKids Race 5 laps
3:25 p.m. Freestyle
3:29 p.m. Break
4:04 p.m. Opening 2
4:09 p.m. Race Repechage SX2 8 laps
4:16 p.m. Race SX1 Heat 2 12 laps
4:26 p.m. Race MAOAM SX4 6 laps
4:41 p.m. Race Final SX2 15 laps
5:02 p.m. Race SX1 Heat 3 12 laps
5:22 p.m. Freestyle 5:42 p.m. end of event