Quote:
Originally Posted by crmalcolm
This highlights some of the identity crisis DTM has. If the reliance on manufacturers is removed, it doesn't matter if they want it or not.
The dependency on manufacturers is (in part) what is killing the series.
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And yet, the general public will only get drawn into a series, if several manufacturers duke it out on the track. DTM is no different than Supercars, the NASCAR Cup Series or SuperGT. Even the BTCC had arguably it's peak in the 1990's, when several manufacturers fielded works entries. After all, Joe Public has more attachment to Audi than Abt Sportsline, unless he drives one of those tuned models by Abt.
Not to mention the marketing effort, manufacturers put into. Not necessarily the oversized hospitality tents, but simply advertising. While sell on monday looks to be increasingly outdated, manufacturers still use racing to advance their overall image. Though there are other ways to do so these days.