[DTM] 2010 Facts, rumours and speculation...

[RichardRenes]

hmmm.. both Audi and Merc sell thousands of cars each month in China not a reason to go there then?

[juicy sushi]

Originally Posted by RichardRenes

hmmm.. both Audi and Merc sell thousands of cars each month in China not a reason to go there then?

It depends. How will a DTM race increase those sales? Does the Chinese car-buying public actually care about motorsports? Of the % that do, how many care about the DTM? How would the DTM convert that interest into sales?

How does having a race in Shanghai help the DTM, in particular the teams within it?

I'm not seeing any real return on investment that answers those questions, but I am seeing a lot of unnecessary costs, especially since the race isn't something that helps the DTM in its home market.

[Hawkwood]

I'm pretty sure Dijon ran out of money, but why they couldn't find somewhere in the DTM's European base rather than the far east I don't know.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by juicy sushi

I'm not seeing any real return on investment that answers those questions, but I am seeing a lot of unnecessary costs, especially since the race isn't something that helps the DTM in its home market.

For every German that doesnt have a car, there is 10.000 Chinese that dont have a car. Where do you think the biggest market to sell cars will be the next 10-20 years?

[Japanese Samurai]

According to Sports-carracing.net, the engine capacity of DTM in 2011 seems to become 5 liters.
(current Super GT engine is 3.4l V8)
http://www.sports-carracing.net/2010...ialedition.htm

[RichardRenes]

I am not that sure either Mercedes or Audi actually has to do a lot to reach 500 bhp when they are at roughly 470 right now and run with restricted air intakes . Only minor modifications would be needed for that.

[Valenok]

But they can use stock block of cylinders, and only one per season.
Low perfomance - low costs.

[Speed-King]

Notice also that the Daytona Prototype engines in Grand Am are mostly 5l V8s with ~500bhp.

There is a rumor about Grand Am being in talks with DTM about a future ruleset (possibly replacing the DPs with Silhouettes of actual production cars), first mentioned by Speedweek's DTM-Expert Marc Lacroix, recently also hinted at by Grand Am's Director of competition Dave Spitzer in a dailysportscar interview:

I think we can go on for many years with much the same package. There are a couple of other factors around that might affect that one way or another. When and whether the economy comes back is one of them and we are working on a significant new partnership that could affect the car in the next 3-5 years. What that is I’d rather not say...

[Valenok]

Gran-Am's DP can share engine with future NASCAR's engines, but normally aspirated.

[Last2LiftOff]

It's pretty quiet out there. Usually we're a little further along with some driver announcements by this time; are any seats confirmed?

All the F1 woolgathering slowing things down and an off-season that seems to last forever. GWlus

Edit: check that, Oliver Jarvis in a new Audi A4

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Last2LiftOff

Usually we're a little further along with some driver announcements by this time; are any seats confirmed?

Edit: check that, Oliver Jarvis in a new Audi A4

You've also got Paffet, Di Resta and Green in at Mercedes. Green said at the Autosport show he was hoping for a new car, Di Resta and Paffet have both confirmed DTM participation in F1 related articles.

[Last2LiftOff]

Ah, hadn't realised they were confirmed Bert, thanks for that. Flush with drivers at Mercedes it seems.

[BertMk2]

I don't think there has been an official announcement - it's just from various articles (McLaren looking for another F1 reserve/test driver as Paffet is "too busy" with other commitments, Di Resta will be at all F1 races with Force India as there are no clashes with his DTM programme).

All of last years Mercedes drivers were at the Mercedes F1 launch (except Stoddart who had a prior commitment - but she has been doing Mercedes promotional work too). I wouldn't expect too many changes at Mercedes to be honest - although the Coulthatd to Mercedes rumours are still about.

Audi seems a bit more up in the air - although I'm including the privateers in that, anyone know what's happening there?

[JamesRamone]

Any further news on either a new manufacturer or this proposed Japanese GT thing?

[Last2LiftOff]

Nothing you don't know already I suspect James. Proposed new DTM specifications:

Japanese magazine Autosport reported the following specifications suggested for the new DTM/GT500 car:

- Common carbon monocoque with roll cage
- Wheelbase of 2850 mm
- Common front and rear overhang
- Common front spoiler and rear diffuser
- V8 engine of yet to be announced size
- Limited number of engines during season
- Introduction of "design line" where on one side all cars are common
- 51% cost reduction compared to current DTM regulations

Proposed by ITR that is. And some discussion in the 2010 Japanese Super GT thread here.

[E46]

It seems Miguel Molina got a seat in DTM with Audi, after his test at AlmerÃ*a, according www.sportmotores.es. It should be officially confirmed in the next few days.

[Robbe]

Good news, he's a talented driver and it's good to see a young talent instead of a big name in DTM. Hope Rast gets confirmed aswell.

[awrb]

Touring car times has the new Audi line up.
http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=4407

Molina and Jarvis in new cars and no Tomczyk! Seems like Audi have finally noticed Martin wasn't going anywhere.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by awrb

Touring car times has the new Audi line up.
http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=4407

Molina and Jarvis in new cars and no Tomczyk! Seems like Audi have finally noticed Martin wasn't going anywhere.

Tomczyk is listed as driving for Abt - Molina gets an old car, giving Audi 9 drivers:

Scheider
Ekstrom
Jarvis
Tomczyk
Winkelhock
Legge
Premat
Rockenfeller
Molina

Is there any news on the futurecom drivers from last season? Will any of them be back?

[awrb]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Tomczyk is listed as driving for Abt - Molina gets an old car, giving Audi 9 drivers:

TcT changed the article. Thought it seemed a bit strange.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Tomczyk is listed as driving for Abt - Molina gets an old car, giving Audi 9 drivers:

Scheider
Ekstrom
Jarvis
Tomczyk
Winkelhock
Legge
Premat
Rockenfeller
Molina

Is there any news on the futurecom drivers from last season? Will any of them be back?

Colin Kolles has just been rumoured as coming in as part of a rescue package to run the Campos F1 team - that may cast doubt as to whether we'll see Futurecom TME at all

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Hazard

Colin Kolles has just been rumoured as coming in as part of a rescue package to run the Campos F1 team

Who hasn't?

Agree though - unlikely he'd be doing both DTM and F1 (presumably the sportscar squad would go too?)

[Shaddix]

Nico Verdonck (Formula LeMans 2009 champion) has tested with Mücke last week

the guys of Mücke where very happy with his performance, he was only 0,3 slower than guys like Paffett and Spengler

but in an interview he wasn't very optimistic about his DTM chances
"The guys of Mücke where very positive, but they don't decide who gets the drive, they just have to pass the data on to their management" he said.

[helgi]

David Coulthard participates in Race of stars in Moscow. He said in an interview, he links his future with DTM, but he didn't make it clear what he's going to do.

[rustyfan]

Auto, Motor und Sport is reporting that Mercedes is on the brink of signing David Coulthard (source).

Guess we'll find out soon enough if there's any truth to that.