'06 DTM speculation/rumors

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by nsxr

HKS JGTC CLK raced but wasnt competitive. It only ran I believe three events. it was also a test bed for new rules trying to bring in new outside manufactorers. I think it now sits in there Mt. Fuji office as a display car. side note to this story i believe in the super touring car days it was HKS that ran an opel vectra in the series. strange

I think HKS is like WSR or like 888, they'll run anycar as long as you give them money? I think the CLK was their recent first attempt at building and running their own car?

[nsxr]

I dont think they had outside help it was completly self developed. I know ANG was not involved. They have been racing since i believe the 1980's running all sorts of things F3, ST, motorcycles,drag racing, D1, time atack, and rally. Okay side note is that HKS developed the mitsu rally raid engine in the last few years according to there head engine builder.

[kmchow]

Interestly, the press release about Opel declining to make their '05 Vectras available to Independents in the' 06 DTM have not been acknowledged on the DTM website. Surely, if this was true, the DTM organizers would have to acknowledge the setback sometime?

[rdjones]

It has been confirmed by the ACO today that the DTM will head to Le Mans on the 15th of October.

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by rdjones

It has been confirmed by the ACO today that the DTM will head to Le Mans on the 15th of October.

So there will be an official round of the DTM held at that track in '06? Or will some ex-DTM cars will just be racing in the historic race?

[Kicking-back]

I imagine there will be an official round of the DTM there.

Now - here's a scenario which fits together.

A1GP's three European rounds this year were Brands-Lausitz-Estoril.

I understand Lausitz and Estoril will be dropped next year from A1GP.

Two of A1GP's biggest players are France and Netherlands (all those Jos fans).

A1GP is hoping to do a couple of rounds with DTM next year.

So, A1GP kicks off at Brands, then has rounds with DTM at Zandvoort and Le Mans, before heading off for its non-European rounds.

Makes a lot of sense.

[mike_slh]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I imagine there will be an official round of the DTM there.

Now - here's a scenario which fits together.

A1GP's three European rounds this year were Brands-Lausitz-Estoril.

I understand Lausitz and Estoril will be dropped next year from A1GP.

Two of A1GP's biggest players are France and Netherlands (all those Jos fans).

A1GP is hoping to do a couple of rounds with DTM next year.

So, A1GP kicks off at Brands, then has rounds with DTM at Zandvoort and Le Mans, before heading off for its non-European rounds.

Makes a lot of sense.

I like your thinking! That would be awesome

[Mike_Wooshy]

well with DTM rumored to be going to brands maybed it could be a triple event ???

[Kicking-back]

No, because DTM at Brands would be earlier in the year, I believe

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

I imagine there will be an official round of the DTM there.

Now - here's a scenario which fits together.

A1GP's three European rounds this year were Brands-Lausitz-Estoril.

I understand Lausitz and Estoril will be dropped next year from A1GP.

Two of A1GP's biggest players are France and Netherlands (all those Jos fans).

A1GP is hoping to do a couple of rounds with DTM next year.

So, A1GP kicks off at Brands, then has rounds with DTM at Zandvoort and Le Mans, before heading off for its non-European rounds.

Makes a lot of sense.

Would make sense indeed

[Simon_1983]

09/04 Hockenheim
16/04 Brands Hatch
30/04 Eurospeedway Lausitzring
21/05 Istanbul, Spa-Francorchamps or Mugello
04/06 Istanbul, Spa-Francorchamps or Mugello
18/06 Oschersleben
23/07 Norisring
20/08 Nürburgring
03/09 Zandvoort
24/09 Le Mans Bugatti
15/10 Barcelona
29/10 Hockenheim

Someone posted this on the MotorsTV DTM forum

So thats Easter weekend for Brands

[Go_For_Pole]

Interestingly Istanbul looks pretty doubtful being in competition with Spa and Mugello. The circuit also lost FIA GTs and is trying to keep WTCC and LMES, shame really it is the easiest place for us Greeks to see some live top quality racing.

PS Mugello may seem a weird choice but DTM as I hear is trying everything to have Alfa Romeo back.

[Kicking-back]

Mika Hakkinen has signed a new contract and will drive again next season.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

Interestingly Istanbul looks pretty doubtful being in competition with Spa and Mugello. The circuit also lost FIA GTs and is trying to keep WTCC and LMES, shame really it is the easiest place for us Greeks to see some live top quality racing.

PS Mugello may seem a weird choice but DTM as I hear is trying everything to have Alfa Romeo back.

I don't think Alfa will move to DTM. They quit their WTCC project because of budget problems, besides that Alfa drivers Tarquini and Thompson are racing for SEAT next season and Giovanardi is rumoured to move to Vauxhall in BTCC.

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Mika Hakkinen has signed a new contract and will drive again next season.

If there will be a DTM next season...

[JAG]

Just heard that Audi could reduce or even scrap their DTM program.

Wonder if this is related to the apparent Essen show press conference cancellation?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by JAG

Just heard that Audi could reduce or even scrap their DTM program.

Wonder if this is related to the apparent Essen show press conference cancellation?

I think Audi will leave DTM as a factory team. Abt will run the progam again (like before 2004) as a privateer team and Joest will run the R10 campaign.

I assume Kristensen, McNish and Capello will return to prototype racing. I wonder if Kaffer will stay in DTM or return to LMP.

And finally the big question: will Ekstrom stay in DTM (with Abt) or do something else? There are rumors about a Red Bull back private Skoda WRC team. Maybe Ekstrom will drive for this team, because Mathias has also said he switch from touring car to rally.

[FIRE]

If Audi quits DTM: Ekstrom and McRae to Skoda with Red Bull sponsoring?

[gwyllion]

And Tomczyk, Abt, Stippler, Kaffer in an Abt Sportline A4 DTM. Maybe Frentzen and Sprengler as well.

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by JAG

Just heard that Audi could reduce or even scrap their DTM program.

It's sad to see the DTM again disappear after a short 5-6 years? Sighhh...

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

And Tomczyk, Abt, Stippler, Kaffer in an Abt Sportline A4 DTM. Maybe Frentzen and Sprengler as well.

These are lucky guesses, not facts

More rumors about the Audi DTM program: here

[kmchow]

Spengler out of a Mercedes seat? Let's hop he can continue his touring car career with some team. I thought he did very well overall?

[dazbaz_99]

When is the DTM calendar for '06 released? I would be interested in knowing if Brands Hatch gets a round, have never seen DTM for real so it would be a great chance for me to do this.

[BertMk2]

It's fantastic live, I saw the DTM at Donington the last year they were there - the noise the cars make is amazing and the sight of a full grid blasting away is incredible. I'm really hoping that Brands does get a round and that it doesn't clash with anything else.

[dazbaz_99]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

It's fantastic live, I saw the DTM at Donington the last year they were there - the noise the cars make is amazing and the sight of a full grid blasting away is incredible. I'm really hoping that Brands does get a round and that it doesn't clash with anything else.

What would you compare them with sound wise? I imagine they may be a little like A1 GP cars.

[flor]

the 05 Mercedes cars actually sound like F1 cars