Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft
Encyclopedia
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (German Touring Car Championship, or DTM) 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.
The original DTM had resumed racing with production based cars, as the former Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
had switched to Group 5
in the mid 1970s and even to expensive Group C
sportscars in the 1980s, leading to its decline. Since 2000, a new DTM has been run as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
, again organised by ITR.
rules, but was extensively modified throughout the years, allowing more modifications. In the late 1980s, works teams joined the DTM, and it became one of the most popular motorsports in Europe. In 1993, the Group A rules were abandoned in favor of a more liberalised 2.5 L engine category called FIA Class 1 Touring Cars
, with extensive use of ABS, four-wheel drive
, electronic driver aids and carbon fibre chassis, the former three were technologies that were banned from F1. Opel
, Mercedes-Benz
and Alfa Romeo
all fielded works teams after Audi
and BMW
had abandoned earlier.
, Japan
and Interlagos
, Brazil
). The FIA also increased the price for television rights dramatically with the result that television coverage of the series disappeared from all European countries except Italy
, Germany and Finland, prices for tickets to races were almost doubled, and access to the circuit paddock to meet the drivers (which had previously been a big hit with fans) was drastically reduced. The choices of circuits on which to hold rounds of the championship were also unsuccessful - the rounds at Magny-Cours
, France
and particularly Interlagos suffered very poor attendance. Questions were also raised by the manufacturers as to why they were racing in countries in which their cars were not actually sold (Alfa Romeos were not sold in Brazil, and neither Opels nor Alfa Romeos are sold in Japan). Opel
and Alfa Romeo
both left the championship after the 1996 season, leaving only Mercedes; the championship was consequently cancelled.
(German Touring Car Masters).
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 held from 1984 to 1996. Originally 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...
, it held additional 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...
and later worldwide.
The original DTM had resumed racing with production based cars, as the former Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft
Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft or simply DRM as it was known, was a touring car and Sportscar racing series...
had switched to Group 5
Group 5 (racing)
Group 5 was an FIA motor racing classification which was applied to four distinct categories during the years 1966 to 1982. Initially Group 5 regulations defined a Special Touring Car category and from 1970 to 1971 the classification was applied to limited production Sports Cars restricted to 5...
in the mid 1970s and even to expensive Group C
Group C
Group C was a category of motorsport, introduced by the FIA in 1982 for sports car racing, along with Group A for touring cars and Group B for GTs....
sportscars in the 1980s, leading to its decline. Since 2000, a new DTM has been run as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
, again organised by ITR.
History
Rise of the original DTM
The original DTM was started in 1984 with cars entered by privateer teams and under FIA Group AGroup A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
rules, but was extensively modified throughout the years, allowing more modifications. In the late 1980s, works teams joined the DTM, and it became one of the most popular motorsports in Europe. In 1993, the Group A rules were abandoned in favor of a more liberalised 2.5 L engine category called FIA Class 1 Touring Cars
Class 1 Touring Cars
Class 1 Touring Cars was a production-based touring car racing category introduced by the FIA in 1993 along with Class 2 Touring Cars, the latter officially becoming known as Super Touring cars from 1995. Class 1 permitted more liberal modifications to the vehicles than those allowed for Class 2 cars...
, with extensive use of ABS, 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...
, electronic driver aids and carbon fibre chassis, the former three were technologies that were banned from F1. 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...
, Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
and 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...
all fielded works teams after 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....
and 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...
had abandoned earlier.
DTM to ITC and demise
The DTM expanded its horizons for the 1995 season and the teams contested the inaugural FIA International Touring Car Series as well as the traditional DTM. The former was contested over ten races, all held outside of Germany and the latter over fourteen races within Germany. Plans were then made to combine the two into one new series, the International Touring Car Championship, for 1996. The ITR governing body then sought approval and support from the FIA to begin the new series. In exchange for FIA support, the ITR let the organisation take control over many aspects of the way the ITC was run: crucially, the financial side of the championship was revolutionised. A large proportion of the revenue generated by the championship went to the FIA, 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 (this was further exacerbated by the travel costs to the new international rounds in SuzukaSuzuka, Mie
is a city located in Mie, Japan.As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 198,716 and the density of 1,020 people per km². The total area is 194.67 km².Located about 83 km east from Nara, and 52 km southwest from Nagoya.-History:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Interlagos
Interlagos
***Interlagos is an upper class neighborhood located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. It includes the Autódromo José Carlos Pace race track, home of the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
). The FIA also increased the price for television rights dramatically with the result that television coverage of the series disappeared from all European countries except Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Germany and Finland, prices for tickets to races were almost doubled, and access to the circuit paddock to meet the drivers (which had previously been a big hit with fans) was drastically reduced. The choices of circuits on which to hold rounds of the championship were also unsuccessful - the rounds at Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours is a motor racing circuit located in central France, near the towns of Magny-Cours and Nevers, some 250 km from Paris...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and particularly Interlagos suffered very poor attendance. Questions were also raised by the manufacturers as to why they were racing in countries in which their cars were not actually sold (Alfa Romeos were not sold in Brazil, and neither Opels nor Alfa Romeos are sold in Japan). 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...
and 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...
both left the championship after the 1996 season, leaving only Mercedes; the championship was consequently cancelled.
The new DTM
The DTM returned in the year 2000 with different rules and without International Championship status. The DTM initials now stand for Deutsche Tourenwagen MastersDeutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
(German Touring Car Masters).
Champions
| Season | Series Name | Champion | Second | Third | Manufacturers Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft |  Volker StrycekVolker Strycek Volker Strycek is a German racecar driver and automobile manager.In 1984 he became the first Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft champion, driving a BMW 635 CSi, without winning a race... |
Olaf Manthey Olaf Manthey Olaf Manthey is a German former racecar driver, and current owner of Porsche team Manthey Racing.Manthey's career as a driver began in 1974. In the 1980s, he won two races of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft... |
Harald Grohs Harald Grohs Harald Grohs is a race driver and team owner from Essen, Germany.Grohs took part in more than 50 24 Hours endurance racing races, mainly 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours Nürburgring.- Career as driver :... |
not awarded |
| 1985 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft |  Per Stureson |
Olaf Manthey Olaf Manthey Olaf Manthey is a German former racecar driver, and current owner of Porsche team Manthey Racing.Manthey's career as a driver began in 1974. In the 1980s, he won two races of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft... |
Harald Grohs Harald Grohs Harald Grohs is a race driver and team owner from Essen, Germany.Grohs took part in more than 50 24 Hours endurance racing races, mainly 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours Nürburgring.- Career as driver :... |
not awarded |
| 1986 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft |  Kurt ThiimKurt Thiim Kurt Thiim is a Danish race car driver. After his karting career he raced for several years in single-seaters before moving to the DTM in 1986... |
Volker Weidler Volker Weidler Volker Weidler is a former racing driver from Germany, best known for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.-Formula racing:In 1985, he became German Formula Three champion.... |
Kurt König |
not awarded |
| 1987 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft |  Eric van de PoeleEric van de Poele Eric van de Poele is a Belgian racing driver and former Formula One driver. He participated in 29 Grands Prix, debuting on 10 March 1991. He scored no championship points.... |
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... |
Marc Hessel |
not awarded |
| 1988 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | 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... |
Roland Asch Roland Asch Roland Asch is a race car driver who is strongly associated with his home town Ammerbuch near Stuttgart, speaking the local Swabian dialect in interviews and commercials.... |
Armin Hahne Armin Hahne Armin Hahne is a German racing driver, best known for his exploits in touring car racing. The highpoint of his career was winning both the 1982 and 1983 Spa 24 Hours driving BMW's. Another highlight of his career was driving in the factory supported Tom Walkinshaw Racing run Jaguar Racing team... |
not awarded |
| 1989 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft |  Roberto RavagliaRoberto Ravaglia Roberto Ravaglia is a former auto racing driver, who currently runs ROAL Motorsport, who operate the BMW Team Italy-Spain operation in the World Touring Car Championship... |
Klaus Niedzwiedz Klaus Niedzwiedz Klaus Niedzwiedz is a former professional race driver and motoring journalist.- Driver :His greatest success came in the 1980s, as a driver for Ford.... |
 Fabien GiroixFabien Giroix Fabien Giroix is a French racing driver from Saint-Maur.-Formula cars:Giroix began his career in French Formula Renault in 1984, finishing 4th. In 1985 he drove in the French Formula Three Championship and finished 12th. In 1986 he only participated in a handful of Formula 3 races in the British... |
not awarded |
| 1990 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Hans-Joachim Stuck |
 Johnny CecottoJohnny Cecotto Alberto "Johnny" Cecotto is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver... |
Kurt Thiim Kurt Thiim Kurt Thiim is a Danish race car driver. After his karting career he raced for several years in single-seaters before moving to the DTM in 1986... |
not awarded |
| 1991 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | 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.... |
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... |
Hans-Joachim Stuck |
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG... |
| 1992 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | 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... |
Kurt Thiim Kurt Thiim Kurt Thiim is a Danish race car driver. After his karting career he raced for several years in single-seaters before moving to the DTM in 1986... |
Bernd Schneider |
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG... |
| 1993 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Nicola Larini Nicola Larini Nicola Larini is a racing driver from Italy. He participated in 75 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 6, 1987. He finished second in the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix on a substitute outing for Ferrari, but only scored points once more in his career... |
Roland Asch Roland Asch Roland Asch is a race car driver who is strongly associated with his home town Ammerbuch near Stuttgart, speaking the local Swabian dialect in interviews and commercials.... |
Bernd Schneider |
Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars... |
| 1994 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | 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... |
Jörg van Ommen Jörg van Ommen Jörg Van Ommen is a former German racing driver. He drove for Mercedes-AMG in the DTM in 1995 & 1996, finishing 2nd place in 1995 in a Mercedes C-Class.-External links:*, Driver Database... |
Nicola Larini Nicola Larini Nicola Larini is a racing driver from Italy. He participated in 75 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on September 6, 1987. He finished second in the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix on a substitute outing for Ferrari, but only scored points once more in his career... |
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG... |
| 1995 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Bernd Schneider |
Jörg van Ommen Jörg van Ommen Jörg Van Ommen is a former German racing driver. He drove for Mercedes-AMG in the DTM in 1995 & 1996, finishing 2nd place in 1995 in a Mercedes C-Class.-External links:*, Driver Database... |
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... |
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG... |
| International Touring Car Series | Bernd Schneider |
Jan Magnussen Jan Magnussen Jan Magnussen is a racing driver from Denmark and a GM factory driver. He has competed in several of the most prestigious events in motor sport including CART, NASCAR, the FIA Formula One World Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.- Lower series racing :Magnussen dominated the 1994 British... |
Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing... |
Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG... |
|
| 1996 1996 International Touring Car Championship season The 1996 International Touring Car Championship season was the 2nd FIA season of its type. It was for FIA Class 1 Touring Cars and it was contested by Mercedes Benz, Alfa Romeo and Opel. It was born out of the old Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft series that ran both a short German &... |
International Touring Car Championship | 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... |
Bernd Schneider |
Alessandro Nannini Alessandro Nannini Alessandro "Sandro" Nannini is a former racing driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.-Biography:... |
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... |
| 1997- 1999 |
DTM / ITCC | NOT HELD | |||
| 2000- date |
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | See Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe.... |
|||
- In 1995 there were two different series with same drivers and teams competing. DTM consisted of seven German (2x HockenheimHockenheimringThe 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...
, AvusAVUSThe Automobil-Verkehrs- und Übungs-Straße, better known as AVUS, is a public road that was also used as a motor racing circuit. It is located in the south-western districts of Berlin, Germany, between Charlottenburg and Nikolassee, and is nowadays an important part of the public highway system, as...
, NorisringNorisringThe Norisring is a street circuit in Nuremberg, on the former Nazi party rally grounds site of the NSDAP party conventions. As the city's German name Nürnberg would lead to confusion with the already famous Nürburgring, the old name Noris was chosen for the simple track which is nowadays approx...
, Diepholz, NürburgringNürburgringThe 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...
and Singen) events and ITC five non-German (Mugello, Helsinki, DoningtonDonington ParkDonington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
, EstorilEstorilEstoril is a seaside resort and civil parish of the Portuguese municipality of Cascais, Lisboa District. The Estoril coast is close to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It starts in Carcavelos, 15 kilometres from Lisbon, and stretches as far as Guincho, often known as Costa de Estoril-Sintra or...
, Magny-CoursMagny-CoursMagny-Cours is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.It is best known for being the home of the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, a famous motor racing circuit . It formerly hosted the Formula One French Grand Prix.-References:* -External links:*...
) events.