Why no DTM in the UK?

Remus · 9 May 2004, 08:23 (Ref:964800)

I was rather amazed by the comments of N Haug after the DTM race in Estoril - 'it will take a while to get crowds up to the level of Hockenheim'...

Erm, yes... Multiply the number of paying fans by about 8,000 and you'll be about there.
How can the bosses justify this race and these types of comments, while at the same time drop the UK round at Donington? Ok, it was poorly suported and badly publicised, but am I being niave to think that the UK must be a bigger market for Audi/Mercedes than Portugal?
There is obviously more to this than meets the commercial eye, and I have nothing against the round at Estoril, but I would love to see this championship back in Britain.

flor · 9 May 2004, 16:51 (Ref:965684)

just look at adria raceway, it's a joke, i think it has a capacity of 8000 or even less

mark_l · 9 May 2004, 17:08 (Ref:965707)

Poorly supported and badly publicised... you have just stated the reasons Remus.

It has consistently been the worst supported (paying punters wise) round of the DTM for years

**touringlegend** · 9 May 2004, 17:55 (Ref:965735)

Don't the promoters have to pay for hosting the DTM anyway ?..

Asa · 11 May 2004, 03:26 (Ref:967160)

DTM'd rather go to China than the UK. Audi/Mercedes etc are more than willing to pay for the race there.

transeuropexpre · 11 May 2004, 14:31 (Ref:967709)

Dtm won't be succesful because it is only popular in German speaking countries (plus Holland).

**BertMk2** · 11 May 2004, 15:29 (Ref:967787)

I really enjoyed the DTM at Donington last year, it was the first time I'd seen it and it really was impressive - all the way from the cars to the organisation and the transporters and hospitality units. It was a great day and we were planning on going again this year but of course it's not coming over here

The round at Zandvoort might be a possibility though....

flor · 12 May 2004, 03:52 (Ref:968310)

Quote:

Originally posted by BertMk2
...hospitality units...

the new audi hospitality makes the others look tiny

Jaxs · 22 May 2004, 07:15 (Ref:978414)

It's all about market potenial.... and selling more cars... the UK market is well covered with newly renovated dealerships and acceptable sales figures... at the moment. Portugal in seen as a sales initiative and with an opportunity for greater sales.... QED

Don K · 22 May 2004, 09:26 (Ref:978546)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaxs
It's all about market potenial.... and selling more cars... the UK market is well covered with newly renovated dealerships and acceptable sales figures... at the moment. Portugal in seen as a sales initiative and with an opportunity for greater sales.... QED

I see.

Most of the races seem to be in Germany.

So does this mean that Mercedes, Audi and Opel need to improve their name recognition in Germany?
Or are you saying that Mercedes, Audi and Opel don't have enough dealerships in Germany?
:confused:

nitromaster · 22 May 2004, 09:33 (Ref:978553)

Quote:

Originally posted by Don K
I see.

Most of the races seem to be in Germany.

It's a long shot, but might that be because it is really a German touring car series?

Sodemo · 22 May 2004, 10:23 (Ref:978596)

I for one am extremely sad that the DTM won't be coming to Britian, as for me its the best touring car series in the world.

**FIRE** · 22 May 2004, 12:53 (Ref:978781)

Quote:

Originally posted by Don K
I see.

Most of the races seem to be in Germany.

Maybe because it's the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters [German Touring Car Masters]?

tonyp · 22 May 2004, 14:55 (Ref:978879)

Quote:

Originally posted by Don K
I see.

Most of the races seem to be in Germany.

So does this mean that Mercedes, Audi and Opel need to improve their name recognition in Germany?
Or are you saying that Mercedes, Audi and Opel don't have enough dealerships in Germany?
:confused:

Thats a shocker!!!!!

Cadete · 22 May 2004, 22:10 (Ref:979136)

I went to the Estoril round, after all I live close to the circuit and I agree that there weren't many people, but the oragnisation is expecting that the event will grow the next year because now people know that it exists and word-of-mouth. There was publicity, yes, but it should have been less concentrated on the specialised media, as the people who read those already know about DTM.

And as for the reasons, well, the director of the Circuito do Estoril is Domingos Piedade, also a director os AMG-Mercedes... do the math...

Personally, I would preferred to keep the FIA GT and ETCC, but since they're gone, I'll go see the DTM. And you got to admit that the track made for a good race.

Jaxs · 1 Jun 2004, 14:28 (Ref:990418)

Cadete, was there any TV coverage?

tblincoe · 2 Jun 2004, 03:20 (Ref:991036)

Quote:

Originally posted by transeuropexpre
Dtm won't be succesful because it is only popular in German speaking countries (plus Holland).

absolutely not true. i know many a person here in the states that is fascinated by this series and wishes that there was more coverage of it available here in the states

now, a DTM race at a track in the US... that would be great for the manufacturers

Cadete · 2 Jun 2004, 16:35 (Ref:991712)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaxs
Cadete, was there any TV coverage?

i think there was tv coverage on RTP 2, which is the least watched channel of the 4 that everyone has. and I don't remmember the broadcast being advertised in any way

kmchow · 3 Jun 2004, 02:31 (Ref:992177)

If China can host a DTM race, I'll be disappointed that the US can't host one too. It would be interesting to see how well the inagural JGTC race in the US does. If it's successful, perhaps that could encourage the DTM to make a trip across the pond.

AlesiUk · 23 Jun 2004, 11:55 (Ref:1013229)

I was gutted to see the DTM drop donnington. It was the best touring car series in world at one of the best circuits for touring cars. Im sure with a bit of effort on behalf of the organisers's it could have turned into a well supported event.

maybe im just biases coz alesi won the last 2 years at donnington!

Im now having to set off to Norisring(in about 24hrs) to see a DTM race this year

Kicking-back · 23 Jun 2004, 11:58 (Ref:1013233)

Norisring always looks entertaining on TV. Enjoy it!

flor · 23 Jun 2004, 18:00 (Ref:1013666)

norisring is definitely the dtm season highlight

AlesiUk · 27 Jun 2004, 19:51 (Ref:1018029)

Quote:

Originally posted by Kicking-back
Norisring always looks entertaining on TV. Enjoy it!

it looks even more amazing in real life

**FIRE** · 27 Jun 2004, 19:52 (Ref:1018033)

Because the circuit design is not destroyed by the F1 dictators.

AlesiUk · 27 Jun 2004, 20:44 (Ref:1018084)

dictators and norisring is dubious language.....

id love to drive the track tho,only 4 corners but still awesome