DTM 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours

[helgi]

I think,it's a bluff.Are they going to compete with M&A? It's doomed to fail. They've no chances. Especially with Opel's help.

[FIRE]

Toyota has deep pockets (see F1) and they are not afraid to enter series with strong competition (see F1 and NASCAR).

[FIRE]

Off-topic but interesting:
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103249

It will never happen but it would be great to have a race at Bathurst

[helgi]

They're going to set a lap record,that is kept by a V8 car. I don't think it will be fair and correct comparison. DTM-car is a prototype.And v8 is a big touring car I think.

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by helgi

I think,it's a bluff.Are they going to compete with M&A? It's doomed to fail. They've no chances. Especially with Opel's help.

I don't think Opel will help in them in any way. Lexus just bought an old Opel car, just like some privateer teams did.

[Last2LiftOff]

Originally Posted by helgi

Are they going to compete with M&A?

Pretty sure that decision was made a longggggg time ago Helgi.

[helgi]

MG had made their decisions,Lada had made their decisions,Chinese Brilliant - the same.And where are they now? Lexus makes a splendid PR.It hasn't started anywhere,and we've already discussed a lot about this manufacturer.

[JMeissner]

MG went down just as they were going to enter DTM (with a lot of money support from DTM org.).

Lada was up for WTCC, not DTM, and from what I know their plans went down due to new leaders in their org.

Brilliant was also up for WTCC, not DTM.

[helgi]

As for Lada and Chinese,I know where they had planned to start.I've only wanted to emphasize that until there's no official announcement from the manufacturer, clear plans,it'll be only rumours,not facts.I'm not fond of rumours.Rumour=newspaper hoax.

[JMeissner]

A hoax is an attempt to trick an audience into believing that something false is real.

The story about Lexus interested in DTM is not false. But if it materializes in to an actual entry is another thing.

[FIRE]

...
The IS F Racing Concept, built by an as yet unspecified Japanese Tuner firm, has emerged in the form of what appears to be a two or three year old re-bodied Audi DTM car.

While it appears Lexus has embraced the concept, it is believed that the concept was initially undertaken without Lexus' involvement, and only acknowledged once the car had errantly been mentioned as a true manufacturer program by the independant tuner.
...

Source: www.speedtv.com

[Matt]

Some closer pictures, taken by a member on another forum I am on.



Unfortunately, he is one of those stupid JDMtards, so, He was more focused on the tuner cars than this.

[helgi]

Compare its aerodynamic elements-front,rear bumpers,especially side skirt-its Opel Vectra 2005.Nothing new.I think,it's clear. There won't be DTM-debut for Lexus. For me the issue is settled.

[JMeissner]

Ok, nice for you, lets continue with the discussion.

[helgi]

Legg said,there's no contract with Audi yet,as a German site has reported.

[Alex K]

Matt, did you take those pics from my.is website?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Alex K

Matt, did you take those pics from my.is website?

Nah, from a pixel art forum. One of the members went to the TAS.

[Valenok]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Have they really plans to enter DTM? If I remember well ITR announced there will be only two manufacturers in 2008.

May be, it is 2009plan? I think, it's impossible - try to enter championship a few weeks or months before season's start

[JMeissner]

Yeah it seems very unlikely to see Lexus this year, I would suspect that if they enter they do it with the new rules.

[Alex K]

I just read on ne of the sites that Christian Klien said to ORF that his opponent to the place in Mercedes-Benz is Ralf Schumacher. He start tests in Spain today.

[helgi]

And Michael has strongly recommended Ralf not to enter DTM. He won't be a successful touring car driver-Michael's words.

[Alex K]

Well mate, it depands. IMHO he can be successful if he forgets his last F1 season, and forget about F1. Do you remember him during his time in Japan? One year, podium in Super GT, as it is known this days. And still, if Toyota really coming in to DTM, he can be their star of the future. Stay tuned.

[helgi]

I've only quoted Michael's words.I know that many F1 drivers had a very successful career in Japan. But I don't think,that the level of Japanese drivers of that time is very high.They're very specific drivers I think. As far as I remember,there was only one podium finish for a Japanese driver in F1 history. So,European pilots could get a lot of money in Japan series and had a good training there. I talk about that time.I don't know how it goes today. Maybe brothers know better driving style of each other?

[Alex K]

Ralf did Japan in 1996, he wasn't F1 driver back than. What I wanted to say is that h's shown he can drive, and he can drive big and heavy tourers, although it was a decade ago.

[JMeissner]

Mercedes confirms Ralf test:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1782