DTM 2002 next weekend.

[Speeddemon555]

Hey guys, next weekend is the opening round of the DTM season at Hockenheimring(short track). The debut of former F1 driver of Jean Alesi in the German Touring Car Masters series.

[BootsOntheSide]

Should be a great race too. If only BTCC could boast drivers like Alesi, Wendlinger, Menu, Aeillo and Schneieder. Its silly that some people still think the BTCC is the better series, as while its on the way up, DTM has the better cars, the better drivers and the better racing.

[D.R.T.]

Yes I agree, the DTM series is tops. It would be even better if we got some Tv of it down in Australia.

[kristof14]

the DTM is fantastic and yes it does have great cars but there is also nothing wrong with the BTCC cars.

[Stephen Green]

The thing is you are not comparing like to like. It's a little like saying F1 is better than F3000. BTCC and DTM are totally different classes of racing.

In it's day BTCC has attracted some top named drivers as well, let's not forget Derek Warwick, Nigel mansell, Andy Rouse, Steve Soper, Smokin Joe et al...

[Speedworx]

The DTM is better than the BTCC and they have similar rules.

[kristof14]

they don't have similar rules at all! the DTM cars are far more technologically advanced that than the BTCC cars and are far more expensive to build, even the race format is different.

[Miss Hardt]

I am sorry for dropping in like this,but are they going to drive between the machines and stuff?

[Markules]

Originally posted by kristof14
they don't have similar rules at all! the DTM cars are far more technologically advanced that than the BTCC cars and are far more expensive to build, even the race format is different.

Yeah, in fact, I think it was either Aiello or Menu who commented on Germany telly last year that, compared to the Super Tourers of old, these cars were more like GT cars. But anyway, it looks great to watch on the telly.

Gotta agree, though, the DTM is the best TC series in Europe certainly, if not the world. But then again, having grown up in Germany, I can safely say that the ol' Germans enjoy touring car action a lot more than most other nations in Europe, probably something to do with the abundent amount of German car companies willing to participate and a lack of success in Formula One (prior to Schumacher) to provide an alternative. Things took a bit of a kicking with the super tourer era but these days loads of people will flock to see a DTM race again.

I was going to see a race at the Nurburgring last year when i was working in Germany until the missus gave me flu the that weekend.

[pink69]

What happened to Sky's coverage. They showed all the race at 7am in 2000 but all we got last year was brief highlights on Max Power.

[Markules]

Haven't Channel 4 got the rights to the races now? I think they're ment to be showing them in the wee hours a week after each race or something to that accord.

[SJ Spode]

DTM 2002 Entry list

1 Bernd Schneider (D) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK
2 Jean Alesi (F) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK
3 Laurent Aiello (F) Abt-Audi TT-R
4 Karl Wendlinger (A) Abt-Audi TT-R
5 Uwe Alzen (D) AMG Mercedes-Benz CLK
6 Marcel Fässler (CH) AMG Mercedes-Bend CLK
7 Manuel Reuter (D) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupe
8 Joachim Winkelhock (D) Phoenix Opel Astra V8 Coupé
9 Mattias Ekström (S) Abt-Audi TT-R
10 Christian Abt (D) Abt-Audi TT-R
11 Thomas Jäger (D) Persson Mercedes-Benz CLK
12 Peter Dumbreck (GB) Persson Mercedes-Benz CLK
14 Timo Scheider (D) Holzer Opel Astra V8 Coupé
15 Michael Bartels (D) Holzer Opel Astra V8 Coupé
16 Bernd Mayländer (D) Manthey Mercedes-Benz CLK
17 Patrick Huisman (NL) Manthey Mercedes-Benz CLK
18 Alain Menu (CH) Euroteam Opel Astra V8 Coupé
19 Yves Olivier (B) Eutoteam Opel Astra V8 Coupé
23 Martin Tomczyk (D) Abt-Audi TT-R
24 Stefan Mücke (D) Rosberg Mercedes-Benz CLK
44 Christijan Albers (NL) Rosberg Mercedes-Benz CLK

[Speedworx]

Great entry list.

[kmchow]

I notice entry numbers like 21-22,25-43 are missing. Any particular reason why? Also, isn't Alesi just returning "home"? According to some models I've seen that have his name on it, he race in a DTM Alfa 155 many years ago?? Or was it a Class 2, pre-ST Alfa 155?

[Markules]

So what are everyone's predictions, then? I have a feeling it'll be Schneider for champ again this season. Much as I'd like to see someone else win it, I think Opel will just be glad to net a few wins this season after last year, while Alesi will probably need some time to adjust to the pace (especially if he keeps doing all this testing for Mclaren), Alzen is too likely to put it in a wall or the side of someone's car and Fässler may not quite have enough experience yet to truly be considered a challenger (although next season I reckon he'll be right up there). Abt could go either way after last season.

[SJ Spode]

I'd like Aiello and the Abt TTs to win, but Schneider is tough to bet against. It would also be interesting to see how the Audis went with full factory support behind them (not that Abt don't do a great job)

[Speeddemon555]

I fully agree, Schneider is tough to beat in the AMG Mercedes. I will be surprise if all three manufacturers will have win columns this year. Opel is up there with the Audis and Mercedes.

[alesi95]

Originally posted by kmchow
I notice entry numbers like 21-22,25-43 are missing. Any particular reason why? Also, isn't Alesi just returning "home"? According to some models I've seen that have his name on it, he race in a DTM Alfa 155 many years ago?? Or was it a Class 2, pre-ST Alfa 155?

Alesi drove in an Italian supertouring Alfa 155.
He hated it he said the standard of driving has terrible.