[DTM] Why there is no good solution for DTM's dilemma

[redshoes]

The idea of DTM running a variation of GT3 seems madness. The appeal of the current GT3 is that any team can buy an off-the-shelf race car and with little more that some basic set-up changes can run it almost anywhere in the world. Creating a new formula that takes existing GT3 cars and adds series-specific engines and series-specific aero just completely misses the point.

Even running standard GT3 spec seems silly. Germany already has a national GT3 series, is there really room for another one?

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by redshoes

Even running standard GT3 spec seems silly. Germany already has a national GT3 series, is there really room for another one?

No.

[porsche962fan]

just give it the mercy shot already to out it put of its misery

[Matt K]

Berger has recently admitted there are two ways for DTM - GT3 or extinction.
What's interesting, Audi would be willing to stay in GT3-DTM and from what I understand, ITR is waiting for BMW's approach to things. If both Audi and BMW are willing to take part in GT3-DTM and therefore attract their GT3 customer teams (plus teams already racing in DTM) the championship should be quite safe. Theoretically, such a ruleset could lure R-Motorsport or AMG customer teams back, maybe some Porsche teams as well.
The question that still remains - and there is still no clear answer - is how will it be possible to have DTM with GT3 cars and the biggest GT3 championship in the world (ADAC GT) in one country? The idea to make DTM more supported by manufacturers, with sort of GT3+ cars and all professional and non-pay drivers is good on paper. Add to it the fact that DTM would still be touring car-ish in a sense that they wouldn't change drivers and stuff and we have quite a logical division. But the problem is, Berger won't attract manufacturers to do something more with their already existing GT3 cars.
I'm a bit concerned especially given the fact that Berger himself doesn't seem as optimistic and driven as he used to be...

[peebee2]

Surely DTM would be sprint races, no driver changes, full on tyre changes though - quite different from modern gentleman GT racing.

[S griffin]

Audi have said they will stay if they impose GT3 rules, so that's interesting. The problem is though, would it be the same if we had the DTM race format?

[uesugi kenshin]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Audi have said they will stay if they impose GT3 rules, so that's interesting. The problem is though, would it be the same if we had the DTM race format?

If by staying you mean flog a few gt3 cars to some punters.

[helgi]

They can do that by unleashing some engine power for usual GT3s. It would require some mechanical and electronic work to do, and in terms of crisis every manufacturer has a great reason not to do that.

[NaBUru38]

I think that it's possible for a DTM GT3 and the ADAC GT Masters to coexist.


The DTM has single-driver cars and all pros. The ADAC GT Masters can switch to pro-am.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I think that it's possible for a DTM GT3 and the ADAC GT Masters to coexist.


The DTM has single-driver cars and all pros. The ADAC GT Masters can switch to pro-am.

On paper, yes. It is absolutely possible.
But:
First of all, if teams and sponsors are already participating in ADAC GT Masters, will they be willing to go to DTM? They could combine both programmes but this costs money. I think teams like WRT, Schubert, GRT Grasser or Zakspeed are fine with options they have - run 'German' programmes in GT Masters and do some international championships as well. Would they add DTM to their programme? Only if they have spare money or if they decide DTM is so attractive commercially for them and their partners.
I'm sceptical about it for now, I'm not so sure whether ADAC GT teams and sponsors would really think DTM would give them much more. I may be wrong but it's not like comparison between F3 and F1.

When it comes to professionals and pro-am, again, technically there is a chance but someone has to pay these professionals, that's the first thing and remember that these are Audi and BMW that give most €€€ to the sport, not the sponsors. And, despite comments made by Berger, ADAC GT Masters is not a championship for 'hobby drivers.' Manuel Reuter rightly said there are many top-level pros in GTM, like Kelvin van der Linde, Nick Yelloly, Maro Engel, Mirko Bortolotti, Chris Mies and others. Some of them are factory drivers of Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lamborghini etc.

Such a division that professionals and factory drivers go to DTM, while smaller teams and 'hobby racers' go to ADAC could work but someone would need to sort of making it official, i.e. make some rules for that. It's completely impossible to happen unless ADAC and ITR cooperate, which won't happen.
There would be one more way to make such a division - manufacturers, big teams and sponsors would need to be certain DTM is the right way to go. But how can Berger make it?

[S griffin]

I think it could work, but you would need to close down the ADAC GT series and even then how many teams would move across? They have plenty of projects out there. It wouldn’t really work

Maybe some form of GT3 would work, it would still be the number 1 sport in Germany. Hardly would be a step down

Most of all I hope enough cars can continue to take part. That’s where we came in

[Matt K]

http://gt-place.com/2020/07/29/rowe-...-schon-machen/

It's too early to draw big conclusions but ROWE Racing would be willing to make a DTM debut in 2021 if DTM switched to GT3 cars. I'm interested in how other GT3 teams would view their chance to join DTM. Of course it's nothing concrete yet but it seems ROWE had some discussions with Berger and two years ago they wanted to join DTM.

[S griffin]

DTM starts this weekend, so let’s make sure we enjoy it with it’s uncertain future

[Matt K]

https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/...paign=widget-1

DTM is set to introduce 'GT Plus' formula from 2021 with a focus switched from manufacturers towards customer teams. Audi seems to be approving of this idea, BMW sounds more sceptical about it (fearing their involvement in GT3 would kill customer racing) but allegedly there are a number of teams being keen on joining DTM in a new form.
For now, there's no signal from teams coming from other manufacturers, however, I hope if it all came to fruition some Mercedes or Porsche teams would be attracted, too.
GT Plus would involve BoP and Push to pass but without DRS and would have 600+hp.
I think on paper it seems a good solution, way better than sticking to already dead Class One formula. Now the big question is, will this idea attract enough teams and some factory support?

[S griffin]

Let’s hope it attracts the manufacturers and doesn’t alienate it’s core supporters