Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Encyclopedia
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM, German Touring Car Masters) is a touring car racing
series based in Germany
, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe
.
From 2000 onwards, this new DTM continued the former Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
(German Touring Car Championship) and ITC (International Touring Car Championship) which had been discontinued after 1996 due to high costs.
, with the result that less went to the teams who subsequently complained of little return on their increasingly large investment
in the high-tech series. Since 1997 many ideas have been discussed in order to find a compromise for rules of a new DTM. Opel
put the primary emphasis on cost control, Mercedes
supported expensive competitiveness in development, BMW
wanted an international series rather than one focussed on Germany only, while Audi insisted on allowing their trademark quattro four-wheel drive
(despite running the rear wheel drive Audi R8 in sports car racing
).
The DTM returned in 2000 as Mercedes and Opel had agreed to use cars that were based on the concept car that was shown by Opel on various occasions, e.g. the 1999 24 Hours Nürburgring
where Opel celebrated its 100th anniversary. The series adopted the format of the 1995 championship, with most rounds held in Germany with occasional rounds throughout Europe, but having learnt the lessons of the ITC disaster, the ITR constantly strived to keep costs in the series from exploding to unreasonable levels, and to keep the championship firmly tied to its German roots. As too many races were planned outside Germany, no Championship (Meisterschaft) status was granted by the DMSB
, and the DTM initials now stand for Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (German Touring Car Masters).
The cars are supposed to be fast and spectacular, while still rather cheap to build and run. All DTM race cars have RWD and 4.0 L V8 engines which are air-restricted to 470 hp, no matter if similar layouts or engines are available in the road cars. Instead of the road car bodies, unrelated purpose-built chassis
are used, which are closer to prototype racing. Many drivers have in fact described the handling of the cars as closer to single seater racing cars than road cars. Only the roof sections of the road cars are put on top of the roll cages, and lights and other distinctive design features are used in order to provide a resemblance to the road cars. Also, in order to save money and provide close racing, many common parts from third party specialist are used, like transmission (from Hewland
and Xtrac), brakes, and Dunlop Tyres
. The all-important aerodynamic configurations are tested in wind tunnel
s before the season, brought to an equal level, and kept that way throughout the season.
Alfa Romeo
, who at the time were mounting successful campaigns in the European Touring Car Championship
, did not return to the series. BMW was also involved in the ETCC and was not satisfied with a championship only for Germany. Audi
did not enter as they insisted on using their signature quattro 4WD.
Unlike the previous incarnation which primarily used sedan models like the Mercedes-Benz W201
, the new DTM featured only 2-door coupé
s. Opel used the upcoming Coupé version of the Astra
as in the concept car, and Mercedes the CLK model which already was used as a pattern for the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR.
Attempts of Zakspeed
to enter with a car looking like a Volvo C70
were not approved, but the motorsport arm of the Bavarian tuning company Abt Sportsline
was allowed to enter on short notice. The 1999 STW-Supertouring
-champion Christian Abt
could not defend his STW title as this series was also discontinued, with Opel moving into DTM. Abt used the Audi TT
as a basis, as Audi had no suitable 2-door coupé, even though the dimensions of this car did not fit into the rules.
short track version. Some cars still had no or few sponsorship decals. While Opel could match the speed of most Mercedes in the 2000 season, the hastily developed Abt-Audis were mainly outclassed. As the TT shape had rather poor aerodynamic properties, Abt was allowed to use a stretched form later. Further benefits like a higher rear wing helped the Abt-Audi TT-R win the DTM championship in 2002 with Laurent Aïello
.
came second in the championship. After that year, no Opel driver was among the top three, with few podium finishes and no victory for the disappointing "lightnings". On the other hand, it was Opel team boss Volker Strycek who brought a new highlight to the fans, by racing a modified DTM car on the traditional old version of the Nürburgring
in 2002, 20 years after the top classes had moved to the modern Grand Prix track, and 10 years after the old DTM stopped racing there. The Opels did not win in most of their entries in the VLN
endurance races as they were mainly testing, but the speed was impressive, and the fans loved it. They won however the 2003 Nürburgring 24 Hours against factory efforts by Audi (Who also ran a DTM-spec TT) and BMW (Who ran an ALMS-spec M3).
and the official support of the Abt-TTRs at the Nürburgring, Audi finally joined the DTM as a factory entry in 2004. The three constructors involved decided to switch to saloon bodies. The road models used as patterns since 2004 are the Audi A4
, Opel Vectra
GTS and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
. All dimensions, like wheelbase, are identical in order to provide equal opportunities without the actual design of the road cars having any influence.
decided to pull out of the series at the end of the 2005 season, as part of a large cost-cutting operation in General Motors' European division. Initially the gap looked set to be filled by MG Rover, however their plans to enter the series were cancelled after the company collapsed in April 2005. Audi and Mercedes fielded 10 cars each in 2006, but the important television deal with the major television station ARD
required three marques in 2007. Rumours surfaced that Alfa Romeo
would return to the DTM in 2007. These rumors were helped by Alfa Romeo Sport boss Claudio Berro being seen in the Barcelona paddock. It was also thought that Alfa's possible return could be the reason why the 2007 DTM calendar started one month later than normal, to give Alfa Romeo extra time to make a DTM car. However, this did not happen.
, Lancia
, Renault
or Jaguar), but they never materialized. The years 2008 and 2009 were marked by the dominance of Audi. Timo Scheider
took the driver's championship in these years, giving Mercedes the runner-up position (Paul di Resta
in 2008 and Gary Paffett in 2009). As of 2010, Mercedes have finally bridged the gap to Audi, as Paul di Resta has won the 2010 championship driving for AMG Mercedes.
series in Japan) reported the ITR are starting to unite the mechanical regulation with Japan's GT500 (Super GT's upper class), and NASCAR
's Grand American Road Racing Association
Grand Touring division to form a new Grand Touring specification. This regulation was expected to be completed in time for the 2015 season, while they were expected to start the unification on 2012.
In 2011, the DTM held a Race of Champions
-style exhibition event in the Munich Olympic Stadium. From 2012 on, they plan it to be a full championship race.
BMW announced that they will return to the DTM in the 2012 season with their M3
.
Audi has announced that they will switch from the A4 to the A5
starting in 2012.
On October 17, 2010, it was announced that a North American DTM Series would begin racing in 2013. Much like the system where the name and format of the American Le Mans Series
were licensed to be run by Don Panoz
, the American DTM will be licensed to and operated by NASCAR
through its Grand American Road Racing Association
. The inaugural 12-race series is set to be run on North American circuits in conjunction with Rolex Sports Car Series
, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and NASCAR Nationwide Series events.
The drivers have been and are a mixture of young and older drivers, including well known former Formula One
drivers David Coulthard
, Bernd Schneider
, Allan McNish
, Jean Alesi
, Heinz-Harald Frentzen
, Ralf Schumacher
, JJ Lehto, Pedro Lamy
, Karl Wendlinger
, Emanuele Pirro
, Stefano Modena
and two-time F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen
. Others, such as Laurent Aïello
, Tom Kristensen
, Dindo Capello, Frank Biela
, Marco Werner
, Lucas Luhr
, Alexandre Prémat
, Jaroslav Janiš
, and Alain Menu
have made their career racing in sports cars and touring cars.
However increasingly the DTM is being used by young guns such as Paul di Resta
or Gary Paffett
to jump-start their racing career in single-seaters. One driver this strategy appears to have worked for is Christijan Albers
, who built a reputation by finishing second and third in the 2003
and 2004
championships with Mercedes-Benz
and then graduated to Formula One
in 2005
. He came back in 2008, but this time driving for Audi
. Paul di Resta currently (2011) races for Mercedes-engined Formula One team Force India
, after winning the championship in 2010.
Gary Paffett has also used his championship win to gain a test with McLaren, and they signed him as permanent test driver for 2006. This prevented Paffett from defending his title in 2006, however he thought that it will be a springboard for a race seat during the 2007 Formula One season
. The plan failed however, and Paffett returned to DTM in 2007, but in a 2006 specification car.
Four female drivers have taken part in the championship. In 2006 Vanina Ickx
started racing for Audi and Susie Stoddart
for Mercedes. In 2008 Ickx was replaced by Katherine Legge
, who was subsequently replaced for the 2011 season by Rahel Frey
.
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Opel
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.-Characteristics of a touring car:...
series based in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
From 2000 onwards, this new DTM continued the former Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft was a touring car racing series held from 1984 to 1996. Originally based in Germany, it held additional rounds elsewhere in Europe and later worldwide....
(German Touring Car Championship) and ITC (International Touring Car Championship) which had been discontinued after 1996 due to high costs.
The new DTM 2000
During the ITC era a large proportion of the revenue generated by the championship went to the FIAFédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
, with the result that less went to the teams who subsequently complained of little return on their increasingly large investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
in the high-tech series. Since 1997 many ideas have been discussed in order to find a compromise for rules of a new DTM. Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
put the primary emphasis on cost control, Mercedes
Mercedes (car)
Mercedes was a brand of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft . DMG which began to develop in 1900, after the death of its co-founder, Gottlieb Daimler...
supported expensive competitiveness in development, BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
wanted an international series rather than one focussed on Germany only, while Audi insisted on allowing their trademark quattro four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
(despite running the rear wheel drive Audi R8 in sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
).
The DTM returned in 2000 as Mercedes and Opel had agreed to use cars that were based on the concept car that was shown by Opel on various occasions, e.g. the 1999 24 Hours Nürburgring
24 Hours Nürburgring
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance racing event on the Nürburgring Nordschleife . With a lap length of over , it allows the participation of more than 200 cars, and over 700 drivers.-Overview:...
where Opel celebrated its 100th anniversary. The series adopted the format of the 1995 championship, with most rounds held in Germany with occasional rounds throughout Europe, but having learnt the lessons of the ITC disaster, the ITR constantly strived to keep costs in the series from exploding to unreasonable levels, and to keep the championship firmly tied to its German roots. As too many races were planned outside Germany, no Championship (Meisterschaft) status was granted by the DMSB
Deutscher Motor Sport Bund
DMSB or Deutscher Motor Sport Bund e. V. is Germany's motor racing governing body, formerly known as ONS . It is carried by the clubs ADAC, AvD and DMV, and represents Germany at FIA and FIM....
, and the DTM initials now stand for Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (German Touring Car Masters).
The cars are supposed to be fast and spectacular, while still rather cheap to build and run. All DTM race cars have RWD and 4.0 L V8 engines which are air-restricted to 470 hp, no matter if similar layouts or engines are available in the road cars. Instead of the road car bodies, unrelated purpose-built chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
are used, which are closer to prototype racing. Many drivers have in fact described the handling of the cars as closer to single seater racing cars than road cars. Only the roof sections of the road cars are put on top of the roll cages, and lights and other distinctive design features are used in order to provide a resemblance to the road cars. Also, in order to save money and provide close racing, many common parts from third party specialist are used, like transmission (from Hewland
Hewland
Founded by Mike Hewland in 1957, Hewland is a British engineering company specialising in racing-car gearboxes. Hewland was the first company to manufacture a bespoke racing-car gearbox....
and Xtrac), brakes, and Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres....
. The all-important aerodynamic configurations are tested in wind tunnel
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
s before the season, brought to an equal level, and kept that way throughout the season.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo in motorsport
During its history, Alfa Romeo has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sportscar racing, touring car racing and rallies. They have competed both as a constructor and an engine supplier, via works entries and private...
, who at the time were mounting successful campaigns in the European Touring Car Championship
European Touring Car Championship
The European Touring Car Championship was an international touring car racing series organised by the FIA. It had two incarnations, the first one between 1963 and 1988, and the second between 2000 and 2004...
, did not return to the series. BMW was also involved in the ETCC and was not satisfied with a championship only for Germany. Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
did not enter as they insisted on using their signature quattro 4WD.
Unlike the previous incarnation which primarily used sedan models like the Mercedes-Benz W201
Mercedes-Benz W201
The Mercedes-Benz W201 is a compact executive car manufactured by Mercedes-Benz from 1982–1993, positioned below the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class — and marketed under variants of the Mercedes 190 nameplate....
, the new DTM featured only 2-door coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
s. Opel used the upcoming Coupé version of the Astra
Opel Astra
The Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
as in the concept car, and Mercedes the CLK model which already was used as a pattern for the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR.
Attempts of Zakspeed
Zakspeed
Zakspeed is a motor racing team from Germany, founded in 1968 by Erich Zakowski and nowadays run by his son Peter Zakowski. Their home town of Niederzissen is located not far away from the Nürburgring race track.-1973 to 1981: Saloon and sports car racing:...
to enter with a car looking like a Volvo C70
Volvo C70
The Volvo C70 is a luxury automobile manufactured by Volvo Cars in two generations: the first from model years 1997-2002 as coupé and from 1999 to 2006 as a softtop convertible...
were not approved, but the motorsport arm of the Bavarian tuning company Abt Sportsline
Abt Sportsline
Abt Sportsline is a motor racing and auto tuning company based in Kempten im Allgäu, Germany. Abt mainly deals with Audi, and the related primary Volkswagen Group brands - Volkswagen, Škoda, and SEAT.-History:...
was allowed to enter on short notice. The 1999 STW-Supertouring
Supertouring
Super Touring, Class 2 or Class II was a motor racing Touring Cars category defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile for national touring car racing in 1993. It was based on the "2 litre Touring Car Formula" created for the British Touring Car Championship in 1990...
-champion Christian Abt
Christian Abt
Christian Abt is a race car driver born in Kempten, Germany, into a family of amateur race drivers and car dealers.His elder brother Hans-Jürgen Abt runs the Abt Sportsline Audi racing teams as well as their tuning company for Audi and Volkswagen.Christian Abt started his career in motocross and...
could not defend his STW title as this series was also discontinued, with Opel moving into DTM. Abt used the Audi TT
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
as a basis, as Audi had no suitable 2-door coupé, even though the dimensions of this car did not fit into the rules.
DTM 2000–2003
In May 2000, the new DTM started with the traditional HockenheimringHockenheimring
The Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg is an automobile racing track situated near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, located on Bertha Benz Memorial Route. Amongst other motor racing events, it biennially hosts the Formula One German Grand Prix...
short track version. Some cars still had no or few sponsorship decals. While Opel could match the speed of most Mercedes in the 2000 season, the hastily developed Abt-Audis were mainly outclassed. As the TT shape had rather poor aerodynamic properties, Abt was allowed to use a stretched form later. Further benefits like a higher rear wing helped the Abt-Audi TT-R win the DTM championship in 2002 with Laurent Aïello
Laurent Aïello
Laurent Aïello is a race car driver.In 1990 he won the Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race. His two seasons in International Formula 3000 were not successful however, and though he won the French Formula Three Championship. 2005 was his final competitive season...
.
Ups and downs for Opel
In 2000, Manuel ReuterManuel Reuter
Manuel Reuter is a German former race car driver.He has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice:*in 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans for Sauber-Mercedes*in 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans for Joest Racing...
came second in the championship. After that year, no Opel driver was among the top three, with few podium finishes and no victory for the disappointing "lightnings". On the other hand, it was Opel team boss Volker Strycek who brought a new highlight to the fans, by racing a modified DTM car on the traditional old version of the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
in 2002, 20 years after the top classes had moved to the modern Grand Prix track, and 10 years after the old DTM stopped racing there. The Opels did not win in most of their entries in the VLN
VLN
The VLN, properly the Veranstaltergemeinschaft Langstreckenpokal Nürburgring is an organisation of motorsport clubs of which each hosts one event of a ten-race series held on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the "VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring"...
endurance races as they were mainly testing, but the speed was impressive, and the fans loved it. They won however the 2003 Nürburgring 24 Hours against factory efforts by Audi (Who also ran a DTM-spec TT) and BMW (Who ran an ALMS-spec M3).
Audi joins DTM in 2004
After their successes with the Audi R8Audi R8 Race Car
The Audi R8 is a sports-prototype race car introduced in 2000 for sports car racing as a redevelopment of their Audi R8R and Audi R8C used in 1999...
and the official support of the Abt-TTRs at the Nürburgring, Audi finally joined the DTM as a factory entry in 2004. The three constructors involved decided to switch to saloon bodies. The road models used as patterns since 2004 are the Audi A4
Audi A4
The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive...
, Opel Vectra
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
GTS and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range , the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class...
. All dimensions, like wheelbase, are identical in order to provide equal opportunities without the actual design of the road cars having any influence.
DTM in 2005–2007
The championship suffered a setback in 2004 when long-time also-ran OpelOpel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
decided to pull out of the series at the end of the 2005 season, as part of a large cost-cutting operation in General Motors' European division. Initially the gap looked set to be filled by MG Rover, however their plans to enter the series were cancelled after the company collapsed in April 2005. Audi and Mercedes fielded 10 cars each in 2006, but the important television deal with the major television station ARD
ARD
Ard, ARD, Ards or ARDS may refer to:Ard:*Ard or scratch-plough, a type of plough consisting of a simple spike dragged through the soil*Ard, alternate name of Arad, Iran, a city in Fars Province...
required three marques in 2007. Rumours surfaced that Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo in motorsport
During its history, Alfa Romeo has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sportscar racing, touring car racing and rallies. They have competed both as a constructor and an engine supplier, via works entries and private...
would return to the DTM in 2007. These rumors were helped by Alfa Romeo Sport boss Claudio Berro being seen in the Barcelona paddock. It was also thought that Alfa's possible return could be the reason why the 2007 DTM calendar started one month later than normal, to give Alfa Romeo extra time to make a DTM car. However, this did not happen.
DTM in 2008–2010
The DTM carried on with only two manufacturers. There were some rumours regarding entries by various manufacturers (e.g. CitroenCitroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
, Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
or Jaguar), but they never materialized. The years 2008 and 2009 were marked by the dominance of Audi. Timo Scheider
Timo Scheider
Timo Scheider is a German racing driver who competes in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi. He won the title in 2008 and 2009.-Karting:...
took the driver's championship in these years, giving Mercedes the runner-up position (Paul di Resta
Paul di Resta
Paul di Resta is a British racing driver from Scotland, currently competing in Formula One with Force India. He is also a former DTM champion.-Personal life:...
in 2008 and Gary Paffett in 2009). As of 2010, Mercedes have finally bridged the gap to Audi, as Paul di Resta has won the 2010 championship driving for AMG Mercedes.
DTM in 2011–2015
In March 2010, GT Association (the governing body in Super GTSuper GT
The Super GT series, formerly known as the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship or JGTC , is a grand touring car race series promoted by the GT-Association...
series in Japan) reported the ITR are starting to unite the mechanical regulation with Japan's GT500 (Super GT's upper class), and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
's Grand American Road Racing Association
Grand American Road Racing Association
GRAND-AM Road Racing or GRAND-AM is an auto racing sanctioning body that was established in 1999 to organize road racing competitions in North America...
Grand Touring division to form a new Grand Touring specification. This regulation was expected to be completed in time for the 2015 season, while they were expected to start the unification on 2012.
In 2011, the DTM held a Race of Champions
Race of Champions
The Race of Champions is an international motorsport event held at the end of each year, featuring some of the world's best racing and rally drivers...
-style exhibition event in the Munich Olympic Stadium. From 2012 on, they plan it to be a full championship race.
BMW announced that they will return to the DTM in the 2012 season with their M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
.
Audi has announced that they will switch from the A4 to the A5
Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation Audi A4 saloon and estate models....
starting in 2012.
On October 17, 2010, it was announced that a North American DTM Series would begin racing in 2013. Much like the system where the name and format of the American Le Mans Series
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is a sports car racing series based in the United States and Canada. It consists of a series of endurance and sprint races, and was created in the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC...
were licensed to be run by Don Panoz
Don Panoz
Dr. h.c. Donald Panoz is an American entrepreneur who made his name in pharmaceuticals and has since become a successful owner of various motorsport ventures.- Early life :...
, the American DTM will be licensed to and operated by NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
through its Grand American Road Racing Association
Grand American Road Racing Association
GRAND-AM Road Racing or GRAND-AM is an auto racing sanctioning body that was established in 1999 to organize road racing competitions in North America...
. The inaugural 12-race series is set to be run on North American circuits in conjunction with Rolex Sports Car Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
The Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship...
, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and NASCAR Nationwide Series events.
Race format
When the series returned, it used a similar format to 1996: two races of 100 kilometres, with a short break between them. In 2001 and 2002 there was a short race of 35 kilometres as well as a long race of 100 kilometres, which included one pit stop and gave points for the top 10 as in earlier seasons. Since 2003 there has been only one race, which has a distance of about 170 kilometres, and two mandatory pit stops.DTM drivers
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
drivers David Coulthard
David Coulthard
David Marshall Coulthard, MBE, , sometimes known as DC, is a British former Formula One racing driver from Scotland.Coulthard, who was born in Dumfries and raised nearby in Twynholm, made his Formula One debut in 1994 and won 13 Grands Prix in a career spanning 15 seasons...
, Bernd Schneider
Bernd Schneider (racecar driver)
Bernd Schneider is a retired racing driver from Germany.-Early years:Schneider was named after legendary driver Bernd Rosemeyer, winner of the 1936 European Drivers Championship. Introduced to karting at an early age, he displayed an obvious talent for racing...
, Allan McNish
Allan McNish
Allan McNish is a Scottish racing driver. He is a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, most recently in 2008, and two-time American Le Mans Series champion.- Early life :...
, Jean Alesi
Jean Alesi
Jean Alesi is a French racing driver of Italian origin. His Formula One career included spells at Tyrrell, Benetton, Sauber, Prost, Jordan and most notably Ferrari where he proved very popular among the tifosi...
, Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Heinz-Harald Frentzen is a German racing driver most famous for his career in Formula One. At various times driving for Williams, Jordan, Sauber, Prost, and Arrows, he achieved three race wins before his retirement from F1 in 2003.-Early career:He was born in the West German city of...
, Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher
Ralf Schumacher is a German racing driver, and the younger brother of seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher...
, JJ Lehto, Pedro Lamy
Pedro Lamy
José Pedro Mourão Lamy Viçoso, OIH, better known as Pedro Lamy , is a professional racing driver from Portugal. He is notable for being the first Portuguese driver to score a point in a World Championship event, in the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, for Minardi...
, Karl Wendlinger
Karl Wendlinger
Karl Wendlinger is an Austrian sportscar racing and former Formula One driver.- Mercedes Juniors :Wendlinger started his career in karting and in Formula Ford before entering the German Formula 3 Championship in 1988...
, Emanuele Pirro
Emanuele Pirro
Emanuele Pirro is an Italian former Formula One driver and five time Le Mans 24 hour winner.- Biography :...
, Stefano Modena
Stefano Modena
Stefano Modena is a former racing driver from Italy. He participated in 81 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on November 15, 1987. He achieved 2 podiums, and scored a total of 17 championship points....
and two-time F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen
Mika Häkkinen
Mika Pauli Häkkinen is a Finnish racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion...
. Others, such as Laurent Aïello
Laurent Aïello
Laurent Aïello is a race car driver.In 1990 he won the Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race. His two seasons in International Formula 3000 were not successful however, and though he won the French Formula Three Championship. 2005 was his final competitive season...
, Tom Kristensen
Tom Kristensen
Tom Kristensen is a Danish racing driver. He has won many championships in auto racing but his most famous achievement is being the only person to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times, six of which were consecutive...
, Dindo Capello, Frank Biela
Frank Biela
Frank Biela is an auto racing driver, mainly competing in touring cars and sportscar racing. He has raced exclusively in cars manufactured by the Audi marque since 1990....
, Marco Werner
Marco Werner
Marco Werner is a professional racer from Germany.In his early career, Werner was Formula Opel vice-champion in 1990 and German F3 vice-champion in 1991 ....
, Lucas Luhr
Lucas Luhr
Lucas Luhr is a German race car driver, currently contracted by Audi.-Early career:Luhr began his career in karts in 1989. Throughout the early 1990s, he won several local and national karting trophies...
, Alexandre Prémat
Alexandre Prémat
Alexandre Prémat is a French race car driver.-Career:-Karting & French Formula Renault Campus:...
, Jaroslav Janiš
Jaroslav Janiš
Jaroslav "Jarek" Janiš is an auto racing driver born on 8 July 1983 in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia. In 2006 he is racing in the FIA GT Championship. He has taken 3 pole positions Brno, Dijon and the Hungaroring but only a single victory, teamed with Sascha Bert and occasionally former Formula One...
, and Alain Menu
Alain Menu
Alain Menu is a Swiss racing driver. He was one of the most successful touring car drivers of the 1990s, winning the prestigious British Touring Car Championship twice . He currently races for Chevrolet in the World Touring Car Championship.- BTCC :He is the son of a farmer...
have made their career racing in sports cars and touring cars.
However increasingly the DTM is being used by young guns such as Paul di Resta
Paul di Resta
Paul di Resta is a British racing driver from Scotland, currently competing in Formula One with Force India. He is also a former DTM champion.-Personal life:...
or Gary Paffett
Gary Paffett
Gary Paffett is a British racing driver in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is also a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team. Paffett progressed through the ranks of karting and junior formulae in the United Kingdom, winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 1999...
to jump-start their racing career in single-seaters. One driver this strategy appears to have worked for is Christijan Albers
Christijan Albers
Christijan Albers is a Dutch racing driver. After success in the DTM he drove in Formula One from until the 2007 British Grand Prix, shortly after which he was dropped by his Spyker F1 team...
, who built a reputation by finishing second and third in the 2003
2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season
The 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the fourth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. As in 2002 there were ten race weekends with one race at each event.-Changes for 2003:...
and 2004
2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season
The 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the fifth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. There were 10 championship race weekend with one round each, plus a non-championship round at the streets of Shanghai...
championships with Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz in motorsport
Throughout its long history, Mercedes-Benz has been involved in a range of motorsport activities, including sportscar racing and rallying, and is currently active in Formula Three, DTM and Formula One.-Early history:...
and then graduated to Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
in 2005
2005 Formula One season
The 2005 Formula One season was the 56th FIA Formula One World Championship season, contested over a record 19 Grands Prix. It commenced on March 6, 2005, and ended October 16....
. He came back in 2008, but this time driving for Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
. Paul di Resta currently (2011) races for Mercedes-engined Formula One team Force India
Force India
Sahara Force India Formula One Team, the trading name of Force India Formula One Team Limited, is a Formula One racing team based in Silverstone, United Kingdom which currently holds an Indian licence. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and...
, after winning the championship in 2010.
Gary Paffett has also used his championship win to gain a test with McLaren, and they signed him as permanent test driver for 2006. This prevented Paffett from defending his title in 2006, however he thought that it will be a springboard for a race seat during the 2007 Formula One season
2007 Formula One season
The 2007 Formula One season was the 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship, which began on 18 March and ended on 21 October after seventeen events. The Drivers' Championship was won by Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen by one point at the...
. The plan failed however, and Paffett returned to DTM in 2007, but in a 2006 specification car.
Four female drivers have taken part in the championship. In 2006 Vanina Ickx
Vanina Ickx
Vanina Ickx is a Belgian racecar driver. She is the daughter of Belgian Formula One driver Jacky Ickx....
started racing for Audi and Susie Stoddart
Susie Stoddart
Susie Wolff is a Scottish racing driver. She has progressed through the ranks of motorsport, starting off in karting, then moving up to Formula Renault and Formula 3 before moving to the DTM to compete for Mercedes-Benz since 2006...
for Mercedes. In 2008 Ickx was replaced by Katherine Legge
Katherine Legge
Katherine Legge is a British auto racing driver, formerly racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.-Early racing and Atlantics:Prior to joining the Toyota Atlantic series, she raced in several developmental open-wheel series in Britain, including Formula Three, Formula Renault and Formula Ford....
, who was subsequently replaced for the 2011 season by Rahel Frey
Rahel Frey
Rahel Frey is a Swiss racing driver. She has competed in such series as Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, International Formula Master and the German Formula Three Championship....
.
Point systems
- 2000: 20–15–12–10–8–6–4–3–2–1 for both races
- 2001: 3–2–1 for short race, 20–15–12–10–8–6–4–3–2–1 for long race
- 2002: 3–2–1 for short race, 10–6–4–3–2–1 for long race
- 2003 to date: 10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1
Manufacturer Representation
Audi- Audi TTAudi TTThe Audi TT is a two-door sports car manufactured by the German automaker and Volkswagen Group subsidiary Audi since 1998.The Audi TT has been produced in two generations. Both generations have been available in two car body styles; as a 2+2 Coupé, or two-seater Roadster...
: 2000-2003 - Audi A4Audi A4The first generation Audi A4 debuted in 1994, with production starting November 1994. It was built on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat . It had a front-mounted longitudinal engine and front-wheel drive...
: 2004-2011 - Audi A5Audi A5The Audi A5 is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation Audi A4 saloon and estate models....
: Starting in 2012
BMW
- BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
: Starting in 2012
Mercedes-Benz
- Mercedes CLK: 2000–2004
- Mercedes C-Class: 2004-2011
- Mercedes C-Class coupe: Starting in 2012
Opel
- Opel AstraOpel AstraThe Opel Astra is a small family car engineered and manufactured by the German automaker Opel since 1991.It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the United Kingdom, the Buick Excelle XT in China and the Chevrolet Astra/Vectra in Latin America...
: 2000–2004 - Opel VectraOpel VectraThe Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
: 2004–2005
Champions
| Season | Series Name | Champion | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984- 1996 |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft/ International Touring Car Championship |
See Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft The Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft was a touring car racing series held from 1984 to 1996. Originally based in Germany, it held additional rounds elsewhere in Europe and later worldwide.... |
||
| 1997- 1999 |
NOT HELD | |||
| 2000 2000 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2000 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the first Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the original series' demise in 1996. Nine events were held with two 40-minute races at each racing weekend.-Pre-Season:... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters |  Bernd Schneider |
Manuel Reuter Manuel Reuter Manuel Reuter is a German former race car driver.He has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice:*in 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans for Sauber-Mercedes*in 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans for Joest Racing... |
Klaus Ludwig Klaus Ludwig Klaus Ludwig is a German race driver.- Biography :Unlike Hans-Joachim Stuck, Rolf Stommelen, Harald Ertl, Hans Heyer and Jochen Mass, he has never raced in single seaters... |
| 2001 2001 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2001 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the second Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. There were ten race weekends with one race at each event.-Race calendar and winners:-Championship standings:... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Bernd Schneider |
Uwe Alzen Uwe Alzen Uwe Alzen is a German racing driver specialised in touring car racing and sports car racing.... |
 Peter DumbreckPeter Dumbreck Peter Dumbreck is a racing driver from Scotland.In 1994 he dominated the British Formula Vauxhall Junior championship and followed this in 1996 with a similarly strong performance when he won ten races to take the full Formula Vauxhall Championship.After finishing third in British Formula 3 in... |
| 2002 2002 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2002 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the third Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. There were ten race weekends with one race at each event.-Teams and drivers:-Race calendar and winners:... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters |  Laurent AïelloLaurent Aïello Laurent Aïello is a race car driver.In 1990 he won the Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race. His two seasons in International Formula 3000 were not successful however, and though he won the French Formula Three Championship. 2005 was his final competitive season... |
Bernd Schneider |
 Mattias EkströmMattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
| 2003 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2003 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the fourth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. As in 2002 there were ten race weekends with one race at each event.-Changes for 2003:... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Bernd Schneider |
 Christijan AlbersChristijan Albers Christijan Albers is a Dutch racing driver. After success in the DTM he drove in Formula One from until the 2007 British Grand Prix, shortly after which he was dropped by his Spyker F1 team... |
 Marcel Fässler |
| 2004 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2004 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the fifth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. There were 10 championship race weekend with one round each, plus a non-championship round at the streets of Shanghai... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
Gary Paffett Gary Paffett Gary Paffett is a British racing driver in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is also a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team. Paffett progressed through the ranks of karting and junior formulae in the United Kingdom, winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 1999... |
Christijan Albers Christijan Albers Christijan Albers is a Dutch racing driver. After success in the DTM he drove in Formula One from until the 2007 British Grand Prix, shortly after which he was dropped by his Spyker F1 team... |
| 2005 2005 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2005 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the sixth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. The number of race weekends were increased from 10 events in 2004 to eleven in 2005... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Gary Paffett Gary Paffett Gary Paffett is a British racing driver in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is also a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team. Paffett progressed through the ranks of karting and junior formulae in the United Kingdom, winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 1999... |
Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
 Tom KristensenTom Kristensen Tom Kristensen is a Danish racing driver. He has won many championships in auto racing but his most famous achievement is being the only person to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times, six of which were consecutive... |
| 2006 2006 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2006 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the seventh Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. The number of race weekends were taken down from the eleven in 2005 to ten for the 2006 season. Each track hosted one race, with the exception of Hockenheim, which... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Bernd Schneider |
 Bruno SpenglerBruno Spengler Bruno Spengler is a French-born Canadian racing driver, nicknamed 'The Secret Canadian'.-Early Career:... |
Tom Kristensen Tom Kristensen Tom Kristensen is a Danish racing driver. He has won many championships in auto racing but his most famous achievement is being the only person to win the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times, six of which were consecutive... |
| 2007 2007 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2007 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the eighth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000.The season started dramatically with massive crash on opening lap of Hockenheim race. As a result, Tom Kristensen and Alexandre Prémat were forced to sit out... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler is a French-born Canadian racing driver, nicknamed 'The Secret Canadian'.-Early Career:... |
Martin Tomczyk Martin Tomczyk Martin Tomczyk is a German racing driver. After a karting career, he raced in Formula BMW and Formula Three, were he finished 12th in 2000. In 2001 he moved up to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He since has raced for Audi. In 2000 his best result was a fourth place on the Nürburgring were he... |
| 2008 2008 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2008 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the ninth season of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. The series began on April 13 at the Hockenheimring and finished on October 26 at the same venue, after eleven rounds... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Timo Scheider Timo Scheider Timo Scheider is a German racing driver who competes in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi. He won the title in 2008 and 2009.-Karting:... |
Paul di Resta Paul di Resta Paul di Resta is a British racing driver from Scotland, currently competing in Formula One with Force India. He is also a former DTM champion.-Personal life:... |
Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
| 2009 2009 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2009 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the tenth Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season since the series' resumption in 2000. The series began on May 17 at Hockenheim and finished on October 25 at the same venue.... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Timo Scheider Timo Scheider Timo Scheider is a German racing driver who competes in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi. He won the title in 2008 and 2009.-Karting:... |
Gary Paffett Gary Paffett Gary Paffett is a British racing driver in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is also a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team. Paffett progressed through the ranks of karting and junior formulae in the United Kingdom, winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 1999... |
Paul di Resta Paul di Resta Paul di Resta is a British racing driver from Scotland, currently competing in Formula One with Force India. He is also a former DTM champion.-Personal life:... |
| 2010 2010 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2010 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season was the eleventh season of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters since the series' resumption in 2000. The season began on 25 April at the Hockenheimring, and ended on 28 November at the Shanghai Street Circuit, after eleven rounds held in Germany, Spain, the... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Paul di Resta Paul di Resta Paul di Resta is a British racing driver from Scotland, currently competing in Formula One with Force India. He is also a former DTM champion.-Personal life:... |
Gary Paffett Gary Paffett Gary Paffett is a British racing driver in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He is also a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team. Paffett progressed through the ranks of karting and junior formulae in the United Kingdom, winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 1999... |
Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler is a French-born Canadian racing driver, nicknamed 'The Secret Canadian'.-Early Career:... |
| 2011 2011 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season The 2011 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season is a multi-event motor racing series largely based in Germany for highly-modified touring car racing cars and is one of the most popular sedan car based motor racing series in the world. The series features professional motor racing teams and drivers is... |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | Martin Tomczyk Martin Tomczyk Martin Tomczyk is a German racing driver. After a karting career, he raced in Formula BMW and Formula Three, were he finished 12th in 2000. In 2001 he moved up to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. He since has raced for Audi. In 2000 his best result was a fourth place on the Nürburgring were he... |
Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström Mattias Ekström is a racing driver from Sweden. He has been competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters for Audi since 2001. He is a two-time DTM champion and a three-time winner of the Race of Champions.-Career:... |
Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler Bruno Spengler is a French-born Canadian racing driver, nicknamed 'The Secret Canadian'.-Early Career:... |