Paul Jeffrey
Premium
After a protracted and at times painful demise of the Class One regulations, ITR Chairman Gerhard Berger has confirmed the DTM will transition to GT3 style cars next year, bringing an end to the spectacular prototype touring car rules.
The king is dead, long live the king. After much negotiation and several false dawns, the German DTM series will be reborn next season, dropping the impressive but expensive Class One regulations in place of what the championship describe as 'GT3 Pro' rules - essentially moving the series away from their traditional touring car roots as a new era begins for the series.
DTM has been in trouble for a long time, with the much hyped but ultimately doomed Class One regulations failing to attract or indeed retain manufacturers to the category, compounded by the news that Audi will be walking away from the championship at the conclusion of the current season.
With little in the way of fresh interest from brands in the immediate future, former Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari and McLaren driver Gerhard Berger has been working hard at the head of governing body ITR to find a way to retain the DTM name in modern motorsport - and that work has now born its first fruits, with an announcement on Saturday evening that from next year the championship will run to a modified GT3 specification, with a focus on customer teams supported in part by manufacturers where appropriate.
Berger himself is putting his money where his mouth is with confirmation that his own BMS outfit will take over responsibility for the series - something the 10-time Grand Prix winner is confident will help DTM reverse the slide it has experienced in recent years.
As for the cars themselves, Berger has suggested that although GT3 regulations will form the basis, DTM hope to apply several changes to maintain a suitable difference between this category and established GT3 based series - with more power and an appetite to keep costs at a minimum some of the main drives behind the announcement.
Both Audi and BMW have reportedly committed to providing support to customer teams within the category, however, at this point Berger is remaining tight-lipped as to the prospect of other brands joining the grid - only going so far as to confirm he has received "interest" from manufacturers not currently competing under the DTM banner.
An interesting change, but a sad loss to see the end of what has been a spectacular era since the DTM returned in 2000 - it will be curious to see how this category continues and moves forwards in the years ahead.
Original Source: DTM
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- DTM will continue into 2021.
- New rules will adopt 'GT3 Pro' regulations.
- Audi and BMW leave ITR.
The king is dead, long live the king. After much negotiation and several false dawns, the German DTM series will be reborn next season, dropping the impressive but expensive Class One regulations in place of what the championship describe as 'GT3 Pro' rules - essentially moving the series away from their traditional touring car roots as a new era begins for the series.
DTM has been in trouble for a long time, with the much hyped but ultimately doomed Class One regulations failing to attract or indeed retain manufacturers to the category, compounded by the news that Audi will be walking away from the championship at the conclusion of the current season.
With little in the way of fresh interest from brands in the immediate future, former Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari and McLaren driver Gerhard Berger has been working hard at the head of governing body ITR to find a way to retain the DTM name in modern motorsport - and that work has now born its first fruits, with an announcement on Saturday evening that from next year the championship will run to a modified GT3 specification, with a focus on customer teams supported in part by manufacturers where appropriate.
Berger himself is putting his money where his mouth is with confirmation that his own BMS outfit will take over responsibility for the series - something the 10-time Grand Prix winner is confident will help DTM reverse the slide it has experienced in recent years.
“During the past months, we have been discussing various strategic options for the future of the DTM in complex negotiations. Said Berger.
"In the past days, I have had very constructive talks with Audi and BMW. Both manufacturers enable for me to take over the full responsibility for the future of a race series in which, for the moment, primarily GT cars will be running.
That Audi and BMW are supporting a scenario for continuation is great news for all the employees and motorsport fans. In the future, no longer the factories, but independent professional privateer teams will be competing for victories on the platform. For me, it was important that both manufacturers commit to this concept, in order for the GT models of these brands to race here as well. I have this commitment. Therefore, I express my sincere thanks to the manufacturers: with their decision, they not only have contributed essentially to securing the jobs at the ITR and the DTM partners, but also enable fans and supporters to continue to enjoy top-level motorsport. Now, I am looking forward to working on a sustainable strategy for the future, together with our strong partners like Sat.1, one that will thrill the fans.”
Berger has already confirmed the series will retain the current racing structure in place for DTM 2020, with sprint races forming the backbone of the new era - setting the series apart from more traditional platforms such as the ADAC GT Masters and GT World Challenge championships.As for the cars themselves, Berger has suggested that although GT3 regulations will form the basis, DTM hope to apply several changes to maintain a suitable difference between this category and established GT3 based series - with more power and an appetite to keep costs at a minimum some of the main drives behind the announcement.
Both Audi and BMW have reportedly committed to providing support to customer teams within the category, however, at this point Berger is remaining tight-lipped as to the prospect of other brands joining the grid - only going so far as to confirm he has received "interest" from manufacturers not currently competing under the DTM banner.
An interesting change, but a sad loss to see the end of what has been a spectacular era since the DTM returned in 2000 - it will be curious to see how this category continues and moves forwards in the years ahead.
Original Source: DTM
Got something to say about your favourite racing series? No worries, head over to the RaceDepartment Motorsport sub forum and fire up a thread today!
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