'06 DTM speculation/rumors

[kmchow]

On the DTM website, it's reported that that former Dario Franchitti attended the DTM weekend at the Nürburgring and that former Formula One ace Olivier Panis also came to the Eifel circuit?

What do you think? Could there be something in the works for '06? OTOH, with Opel pulling out at the end of '05, will there even be an '06 season? Will any teams still race the Vectra?

[Kicking-back]

Yes, there will be an 06 season.

Dario Franchitti was there to see his cousin Paul di Resta - don't read anything into his presence.

Similarly, Olivier was visiting Alesi, Hakkinen and Frentzen.

[E46]

For 2006 Alex Wurz is rumored with Mercedes. I would prefer less former Formula 1 drivers.

[flor]

A team boss was negotiating about running 2 private Audis in 06 with Dr. Ulrich this weekend

[Hazard]

Dario's already done the DTM...why would he come back now?

Panis could be looking for a drive though...

[bella]

dario *and* marino were there, why not rumour-monger both of them?

i think dario had dtm hospitality but i didn't find out who with (paul is a mercedes driver, fwiw). he enjoyed being anonymous that weekend, the german dtm crowd don't know who he is at all

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by flor

A team boss was negotiating about running 2 private Audis in 06 with Dr. Ulrich this weekend

An existing DTM team boss or a potential team boss from another series?

[flor]

Originally Posted by kmchow

An existing DTM team boss or a potential team boss from another series?

it would be a new team

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by bella

he enjoyed being anonymous that weekend, the german dtm crowd don't know who he is at all

How quickly they forget!

[flor]

hey its 10 years and most of the crowd probably dont even know what the ITC was

[kmchow]

Hopefully, another manufacturer does enter. So MB and Audi have expressed their continued support despite Opel's withdrawal??

[flor]

well yes they will run and they hope that a private team enters the old opels, i dont think they found one yet though

[Go_For_Pole]

Well DTM doesn't necessaraly need a new manufacturer. Two will do fine as they do in Aussie V8s, they only problem being that ITR will miss the 10 mil Euros that Opel pays for the promotional budget of the championship. But car count will not suffer because presumably there will be some private teams that will follow Mucke's example and enter DTM with outside sponsorship. Really if a team cann't find proper sponsorship for a series with such impressive numbers of spectators and viewers per race, then they never will

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

But car count will not suffer because presumably there will be some private teams that will follow Mucke's example and enter DTM with outside sponsorship. Really if a team cann't find proper sponsorship for a series with such impressive numbers of spectators and viewers per race, then they never will

Let's hope the '04/'05 spec cars do get sold for very affordable prices so that more privateers can afford to race in the DTM.

[Go_For_Pole]

If I am not mistaken they old cars will be loaned to the teams

[FIRE]

According www.turbomagazine.be Holzer, Rosberg and Coloni are interested in entering private Opel Vectras in 2006.

[Daisy]

I hope the Opels will be back in 2006, and maybe some extra Audi's and Mercedes too! 24 cars would be nice and maybe another manufactur in 2007? Alfa maybe?

[adstubbs]

The best rumour I've heard is that the DTM may be coming back to the UK next year, either to Brands Hatch or Silverstone. I hope this is true, as I went to see both raced when the new series came to Donington in 2002/2003. I think they stopped coming because the crowds weren't big enough, but with Hakkinen in with Alesi now, and 3 british drivers at the moment, there would be a lot more interest. Fingers crossed!

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by adstubbs

The best rumour I've heard is that the DTM may be coming back to the UK next year, either to Brands Hatch or Silverstone. I hope this is true, as I went to see both raced when the new series came to Donington in 2002/2003. I think they stopped coming because the crowds weren't big enough, but with Hakkinen in with Alesi now, and 3 british drivers at the moment, there would be a lot more interest. Fingers crossed!

Are the drivers enough to draw the crowds or betting marketing/advertising by the UK organizers? Didn't the DTM claim poor promotion of the races by the Uk organizers last time they were around?

[Kicking-back]

That was at Donington.

Brands Hatch would be better - Jonathan Palmer seems to have more idea about promotion.

[Asa]

Will DTM visit China again in 2006?

I doubt any manufacturer that is already with the FIA WTCC will join the DTM.

[cos]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

That was at Donington.

Brands Hatch would be better - Jonathan Palmer seems to have more idea about promotion.

Today's Autosport mentioned more about DTM coming to Brands (a possible date in May I think). I would be more helpful but I was just being cheap and flicking through the mag in Smiths rather than buying the thing...

[dazbaz_99]

I read that to, Norbert Haug seems to think there may be a problem with space though. Not sure what he was referring to, Paddock or overall space for spectators etc. Im sure it would draw a big crowd at Brands, i hope it comes over for a trip in '06!

[Alfa Fan]

A1GP managed, so why can't DTM?

[P.Cummins]

2 manufacturers is fine by me as long as the grids don't fall short of 18 cars. Then things look a little scabby.
The V8 series proved that wholesome racing can be produced by only 2 manufacturers so the DTM can surely do the same.
I'd say a DTM race would work beautifuly at Brands Hatch. I hope its true. Johnaton Palmer certainly won't be complaining with 3 VERY popular race series competing at his venue