Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

The DTM is a racing series for competition vehicles, which are derived from a production vehicle. The discharged since 2000 series was started as German Touring Car Masters and is the successor of the set end of 1996 German Touring Car Championship or the international version ITC. Since 2005, only the used "brand " DTM both DMSB regulations as well as in official communications of the ITR.

3.1 2000
3.2 2001
3.3 2002
3.4 2003
3.5 2004
3.6 2005
3.7 2006
3.8 2007
3.9 2008
3:10 2009
3:11 2010
3:12 2011
3:13 2012
3:14 2013

4.1 Flag signals

6.1 DTM Champions since 2000

7.1 TV broadcasts
7.2 Computer Games

Overview

The term master was chosen, among other reasons, because for a German Cup too many runs were provided abroad. That or the DTM is a racing series for factory teams, which will be held by the umbrella organization ITR under the direction of AMG Mercedes- founder Hans - Werner Aufrecht.

From touring car in the true sense can no longer be any question that the concept touring car prototype would come closer to the racing series, as used technically and aerodynamically broadly similar silhouette designed vehicles with carbon fiber chassis and space frame. A four-liter V8 engine with a capacity limit of approximately 470 hp drives the rear wheels through a single powertrain. Also, brakes and electronics come from a supplier in each case.

In this chassis plastic bodies are placed, though similar to the series cars, but were compared before the season in a wind tunnel and adjusted to equal opportunities. Since 2012, the C-Coupé is the Audi A5, BMW M3 and Mercedes- Benz as a model.

Prehistory

The original DTM / ITC 1984-1996

Before the DTM was launched, there were in Germany from 1972 to 1985, the German Racing Championship (DRM). In this series, took part in the original production-based Ford, BMW and Porsche, but went after the introduction of new regulations returns the number of starters, as well as the costs rose higher and higher. The then Head of the National Sports Commission for automobile racing in Germany (ONS ) responded and developed again Regulations for near- touring cars that were cheaper: the German Touring Car Championship. But as the years went even there the cost due to new regulations and the international expansion of the racing series to the International Touring Car Championship. After the end of DRM and DTM and ITC now went into the cost trap, history repeated itself.

The DTM -free time

After the ITC investigated the three manufacturers a new field. Opel and Alfa Romeo made with class 2 touring car on. There they met on old DTM Known as Ford, BMW or Audi. Mercedes took part in the sports car racing in the FIA GT Championship. In Germany also the class-2 touring car drove in the Super Tourenwagen Cup ( STW). This series had the task of replacing the DTM, but these touring cars were seriennah and unspectacular to be accepted by the fans. 1999 it had reached with the STW in Germany reached its end. Even here, the costs were too high because they wanted to take advantage of the much smaller Regulations Travel consuming or had.

The idea for a comeback of the DTM

Opel made at the 1998 Essen Motor Show sensation. On their booth they revealed a DTM touring car based on the Opel Astra Coupé. With this concept study showed Opel, where the path of the German touring car racing should go. The foundation stone to revive the DTM was set. Behind the scenes was negotiated to a resumption of the DTM with new rules that should not be taken directly from the recent FIA rules. The cost limitation was particularly important for Opel, while Mercedes put to powerful rear-wheel drive value. Audi again insisted on the all-wheel drive, was dispensed with on the Le Mans Audi R8 sports car, while BMW and Alfa Romeo wanted to join any national German alone. In 1999, the Opel motorsport director Volker Strycek 's 100th anniversary celebrations with a former Opel Calibra ITC in the initial and final phase of the 24-hour race on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring in part. In the marquee, a study based on an Astra Coupe was shown for a "DTM 2000 " with a V8 engine.

With Mercedes -Benz quickly found a second manufacturer interested in this idea. Together with BMW was a policy that was allowed to be included in the experience of the old DTM and STW. The cars should be as spectacular as the old DTM cars look, but do not exceed the costs of STW. There were problems in determining the type of drive. It raised the question of how much production technology should remain in the DTM. When the engine is a choice of V6 and V8 quickly fell to the larger V8. When driving, there was more discussion. Was favored rear-wheel drive, but most manufacturers have had in this class only cars with front wheel drive. However, since front-wheel drive vehicles have design-related disadvantages ( traction ), urging other manufacturer the approval of four-wheel drive, but this led to the DTM and STW with the corner. Thus, it was decided the same for rear wheel drive. The possibly held one or another manufacturer of a commitment, but had uniform power relations result.

Initially vehicles were exclusively based on a coupe accordance with the regulations, four-door sedans were not admitted. Three years later it was noticed that this restriction was a wrong decision. 2004 agreed the manufacturer it to change from coupes to sedans. To the resulting regulations, according to the touring car had only external features with the cars of series production have in common. Technically DTM cars thus sports car prototype with attached touring car body, so-called silhouette vehicles. But because it was possible to prescribe unit parts for all manufacturers to keep costs low. So are parts such as gears, brakes or tires for all the same and thus save development costs for the individual manufacturers.

The new Masters

Since the comeback in 2000, the three letters DTM are no longer available for German Touring Car Championship, but for German Touring Car Masters. As part of a so-called championship loud Automobile Federation FIA but only a foreign race is allowed. Since the DTM but also often wanted to drive on racetracks in neighboring countries as in Austria or Belgium, called the DTM to a championship in a Master.

The new DTM cars

As the design studies of the two manufacturers Opel and Mercedes, as well as the final DTM car based on the Opel Astra Coupé and the Mercedes CLK were developed. With two manufacturers but it would become difficult to start a new championship. Also, two private teams developed at DTM vehicles. The active already in DRM and DTM Zakspeed team developed based on the Volvo C70 touring car, with whom she already took the first test drives. But the ITR refused Zakspeed launch permissions, because the management of Volvo was no release for a product of their brand in the DTM. The second private team was Abt Sportsline, which won the last championship of the STW for Audi and after from this series was faced with a new challenge. Unlike Volvo, Audi gave the approval for the private dedication of the abbot troupe in the DTM. But for Abbot turned a completely different problem: Audi had no suitable base vehicle. Since you had banned saloons, one had to resort to the Audi TT, but this did not fit into the rules of its dimensions, which is why you received a special permit from the ITR. BMW had indeed participated in the regulations in 1999, but already in 1993 as you did without a participation. The Formula 1 project in mind.

History

2000

In the comeback of many former DTM driver returned from the "old " DTM in the new or even like Klaus Ludwig gave their motorsport comeback. Mercedes undertook next to Ludwig and Bernd Schneider the last masters of the old DTM. Opel continued with Manuel Reuter in the champion of the ITC and with Uwe Alzen on the last runner-up of STW. Even Joachim Winkelhock returned to the DTM and thus left after years of loyalty his old employer BMW. The last master of STW, Christian Abt, drove the team of his brother at the privately built Audi TT. Even more known driver of the international touring car racing drove in the DTM in the premiere season. Both manufacturers (Mercedes and Opel ) each brought eight vehicles at the start; Abt one appearing early on with three vehicles, but faltered during the season to another on.

As the planning for the return of the DTM always delaying long, the start of the season was relatively late held on 28 May 2000. The racing calendar consisted of nine races, which were fully settled in Germany. Hazards was at the Hockenheimring, the Nürburgring and Oschersleben twice each, and one each at the Norisring, Sachsenring and Euro Speedway Lausitz. When Euro Speedway Lausitz it was the premiere race for this course. But due to heavy rain could not be released, the race by the race even after several laps behind the safety car. The race was stopped with the red flag and there were no points awarded.

The sporting regulations was largely inherited from the past. So there were two runs over 100 km, flying offs and points for the first 10 riders per race. Mandatory pit stops did not exist, but in the race at the Norisring, it came to be that you had to change tires during the second run due to rain. The television broadcast was alternately taken in Germany by the public broadcasters ARD and ZDF. To the displeasure of the fans, the races were mostly shortened and transmit time offset. The reasons for this lay in the timing of the race day. The DTM had no uniform start times and by the two runs with the intermediate repair break had to be estimated too much time missing the TV stations for the transmission of other sports.

The first season of the German Touring Car Masters was dominated by the duel between Mercedes -Benz and Opel. While Opel thanks to a powerful engine on the faster tracks was usually victorious, had Mercedes advantages to the more curvaceous lines. The private Abt-Audi were mostly a chance. Since the Audi TT was much shorter than the Astra and CLK and therefore aerodynamically at a disadvantage because of lack of success was obtained already during the season some concessions. So, for example, could be changed again and again, the rear wing. For the drivers, there was a duel between Bernd Schneider, Manuel Reuter and Klaus Ludwig, for the championship. Ultimately, with Bernd Schneider was the last master of the "old " DTM is also the first of the " new". At the last race of the year at the Hockenheimring it went for Manuel Reuter and Klaus Ludwig nor the vice-championship. In the duel for first place Uwe Alzen collided with his lying in leadership teammates Manuel Reuter, so this turned out. Since Ludwig the race after collision knocked gave up voluntarily, the runner-up title went to Reuter.

2001

After the incident with Uwe Alzen in the final race of 2000, Opel separated in winter from him. But Alzen could get for 2001 a cockpit at HWA Mercedes, where he replaced the retiring Klaus Ludwig. Also in this year, there were Mercedes and Opel with eight vehicles to where it was not about new cars with all vehicles but also vehicles from the previous year were used. Abbot came in 2001 with four all-new Audi TT -R to. Since the production TT was still much shorter than the Astra and CLK was obtained because of success in the preseason this year an additional special permit: One could adjust the body length and wheelbase of the competition. This, however, the TT lost its resemblance to its production counterpart. Opel also allowed the wheelbase to approach that of the CLK. In addition, the rear wing was allowed to be placed behind the vehicle now for all vehicles, which made for greater downforce on the rear axle.

For the first time in the German Touring Car Masters you left the German race tracks. So in neighboring Europe, the race track of the A1-Ring in Austria and the circuit of Zandvoort in the Netherlands were added. This year worked then also the host of the DTM race at the Euro Speedway Lausitz.

At the suggestion of the German TV partner of the DTM race format has been changed. There was now a qualifying race over 35 kilometers and a main race of the usual 100 km. Accordingly, the points system was changed: while for the main race the points were as previously distributed to the 10th place, there was in the sprint race points for the top three. Through a shortened repair break this format now was to better televised. With the additional mandatory pit stop in the race took similar to the Formula 1 team, by the time the tire change- and through strategic tactics to influence the final outcome.

The second season of the "new " DTM was heavily dominated by Mercedes. The development of the car from last year led to success, while Opel Astras in the redevelopment of the much complicated technology built, but did not get the team into the handle. The Team Abt was surprisingly a lot more successful with the new TT -R and achieved the same during the season two wins this season. Opel remained winless. As the first driver in the entire DTM history succeeded Bernd Schneider to defend his DTM title successfully. Also this year there was a very controversial race: was involved re- Uwe Alzen, who passed on the last lap at Zandvoort with many touches of Christian Abt. Alzen won and placed in front of his pit crew for the joy towards a full stop in front of the pit wall. Christian Abt could not avoid and collided with Alzen. Another problem was the flying start this season. Since there were several accidents shortly after the start in the first corner, the race already it was decided long before the starting line release. But thus the problem is not solved, it even generated resentment among drivers, as the traffic light has already been partially switched to green without the driver could see this, as they were still in the curve before the finish line.

2002

Also, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters were of interest to former Formula 1 driver. So Mercedes could commit for the 2002 season Jean Alesi. While Opel reduced the contingent of vehicles on six Astras, Mercedes stopped on 10 CLK and Abt- Audi TT -R now brought five at the start. In abbot was with Karl Wendlinger also a former Formula 1 pilot a cockpit. Simultaneously with the change of the new series model of the Mercedes CLK brought now a racing version of the new model in the DTM at the start. Opel took advantage of a loophole in the regulations: presented on the season opener at Hockenheim, new double storey unit rear wing, there were two "ears". These aerodynamic aids have been declared but as a rear wing holder. Even Mercedes tested those variants that were much wing-like shape. That's why Mercedes decided not in the race as a precaution to the use, as they were even more disputable than the Opel variant and thus a disqualification could have had.

Following the successful launch in Europe was expanded with Zolder Donington Park and the foreign racing events that included already in the original DTM to the traditional venues. For this was only ever driven on the Nürburgring and no longer in Oschersleben. At the 2001 newly introduced race format was arrested, but a new scoring was adopted for the main event, which was identical with the then current Formula 1, which provided for the six best driver of a points race. Thus, the qualifying race was upgraded as far as three points were awarded for a win there, but only 10 instead of 20 points for the victory in the feature race. New for the DTM was from this season of the standing start, which should ensure fair conditions, more excitement and safety, as there were several accidents start in the preseason.

With the new model of Mercedes CLK initially had some problems. Over the winter, the team had their private Abt TT -R developed and could now easily dominate. But mid-season were the Mercedes competitive. It developed a championship duel between Laurent Aiello and Bernd Schneider, which culminated at the Norisring. In a thrilling race could pass in the last corner of the last lap to win by Schneider and fair, round long duels Aiello. Mercedes tried yet with team orders and other measures to defend the championship. Exciting it was again, when it was discovered non- rule- compliant petrol test drives the Audi Aiello after qualifying at the penultimate race in Zandvoort. The result was a start of the end of the grid. Nevertheless, he could with this race in which his team-mate Mattias Ekström import his first victory, win the league title ahead of itself. It was the first time in the history of the DTM that a private team won the championship. Opel was able to convince this season but little; the best result was a third place at the Sachsenring of Alain Menu. Jean Alesi managed a good start to the DTM after a podium finish right at the first race at Hockenheim was the best Mercedes -Benz, in which he threw his helmet into the crowd of joy to him park his first win was the third race of the season at Donington.

2003

The HWA team wanted to go in the same driver line-up as in 2002 at the start, but one day before the DTM season launch, Mercedes and Uwe Alzen parted surprising. In the HWA team Albers rose. In private Abt- Audi team came with Peter Terting a sixth driver to the "S line Audi Junior Team " was formed with Martin Tomczyk, which was sponsored by corporate brands of the manufacturer Audi. Behind it ultimately hid the former V8 -Star Team First Choise of Danes Kris Nissen. To Opel substitute Peter Dumbreck, who was transferred last Mercedes- Benz to the previous year's car. The aerodynamics of the vehicles was adjusted again. So again Opel made some concessions, while the Abt- Audi TT -R was limited among others, the rear wing height.

How far it was to the race calendar at six German race and four in other European countries, but more the Belgian Zolder the new Italian Adria International Raceway. Also the Sachsenring came to disagreements between the ITR and the operator does not return to the calendar back, but was driven twice at the Nürburgring. For 2002, we revised again at the suggestion of the German TV partner the race format: In order to attract more viewers, they tried to make the format understandable and it was like the Formula 1 at. So there was only one race per weekend, which, however, over a distance of 160 - 170 km left. In this extended race it was now duty bound to come twice to the pits to change his tires. In addition, gasoline could be refilled with fuel cans now in all vehicles because the tank size of 70 liters was maintained. Since it was introduced in Formula 1 this season, a new points system, the DTM also took over this again. This system now saw points ahead for the best eight riders. It was the fourth scoring in the fourth DTM season.

In Formula 1, there were a lot of changes this season, one of which concerned the qualification procedure, which was determined on a pure time trial. Also in the DTM held the ITT collection, but only subsequent to a normal training time, similar to earlier in the "old" DTM and ITC as a "top - qualifying " application found. A 20-minute qualifying session, first decide on the ten fastest " Super Pole" participants and sets the starting positions eleven to 20. Alone decide the times from the individual time trial of the " Super Pole " for positions one to ten.

The 2003 season was again dominated by Mercedes. Up to the second round at the Nürburgring, the reigning champion Laurent Aiello won, won in all other races of the four HWA Mercedes driver. The short ascended in the HWA team Albers was the toughest opponent for title Bernd Schneider, however, who won the race series for the fourth time at the end of the season. According to the technical limitations on the TT -R was the Abt team, as well as Opel, no longer competitive. Could set the tone but again and again the Mercedes- Benz coming Peter Dumbreck, who even reached second place on the Euro Speedway Lausitz. Although Timo Scheider took the pole position at Zandvoort, but after a botched pit stop he was in the lead from lying.

For the Euro Speedway Lausitz, the DTM had come up with something special. Instead einzubiegen in the curves sector after the start / finish straight left, the first steep curve of the tri-oval should be busy. But in testing on Friday before the race there was in the Oval tire damage to the Abt- Audi Christian Abt and Laurent Aiello, who had an impact in the wall result. As other teams of tire problems talking, but it was decided the race back to the normal Grand Prix circuit discharge. For the race, then the two injured riders took over the vehicles of Martin Tomczyk and Peter Terting. Also, at the Nürburgring, the event's organizer was creative and joined the super pole with a dinner held boxing match, which was held in the paddock. Thus, the super pole was held under floodlights. With special reflective foils, the vehicles were visually enhanced. Another driving event under floodlights came despite the success so far no longer available in the DTM.

The works teams of Opel and Audi started with their intervention teams Phoenix and Abt- Sportsline this year with a slightly modified last year's DTM cars in the 24 -hour race at the Nürburgring, in which the works team of BMW with the ALMS already successful M3 GTR took. This was the first official engagement at the factory Audi with the Abt- Audi TT -R. After 24 hours, but unsuccessful in the DTM Opel team celebrated a clear victory.

2004

The fifth season since the comeback in 2000 was in advance as one of the most spectacular, they brought many innovations and all manufacturers began again at almost zero. This was due to the general agreement of the participating producers from this season to change the basic vehicle and switch to a limousine. Thus, the ITR wanted to make a new manufacturer that you previously deterred 2000 with the prohibition of saloons. With the sedans Audi A4, Mercedes C Class and Opel Vectra GTS now had all manufacturer a series comparable body in use. The coupe previously used were different from what had repeatedly led to problems in the classification of the vehicles. However, the technical regulations remained otherwise the same. This changing of the models was not a major problem, since you "only" the appearance, had the so-called silhouette change, including the technique remained the same. This year, the Audi brand rose now again officially as a factory team in the DTM after was represented as a factory team and since the DTM comeback by the private Abt- Audi team in the DTM from 1990 to 1992. After the Abt team is supported in the previous year with drivers and also as a sponsor, as well as the TT -R factory began the 24 -hour race at the Nürburgring, the work entry into the DTM was a logical step. The new Audi A4 has now been developed directly from the Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm department after the development of the TT -R was completely at Abt in Kempten. Abt Sportsline has now become an official factory team Audi and created four new A4. Two other vehicles began Team Joest Racing, which was similar to Audi also made a comeback in the DTM. Joest most recently worked in the DTM with Opel together and celebrated with them in 1996 the ITC title. Since 1999 Joest works with Audi at Le Mans sports prototype. From the experience gained there, some were incorporated into the development of the A4 because it is actually prototype vehicles at the DTM touring car. The S-Line team, in order to avoid conflicts of interest - his team boss was now sporting director at Volkswagen - resolved.

In addition, the work started by Audi also brought several new and well-known driver in the DTM. So the former champion was 1991 Frank Biela his comeback. Together with Emanuele Pirro they were the driver pairing at Joest. At Abt Sportsline also Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen came alongside the experienced drivers the "new" DTM Mattias Ekström, Martin Tomczyk Christian Abt and used. The abbot champion driver in 2002, Laurent Aiello, joined Opel. Also, there is increased enormously. In addition to the known drivers Manuel Reuter, Timo Scheider and Peter Dumbreck came Marcel Fässler of Mercedes and the most prominent newcomers, Heinz -Harald Frentzen from Formula 1 In addition, Jeroen Bleekemolen drove an Astra from the previous year. At Mercedes Gary Paffett rose in a HWA -Mercedes after he showed remarkably good performance in the previous year in a year-old car. The Mercedes team Persson and Rosberg put a 2 CLKs respectively from the previous year, while the HWA team began the new touring car based on the C-Class.

The race calendar changed slightly. In the German race tracks Oschersleben came back into the calendar. In the European evaded Donington Park and the A1-Ring for Brno and no longer in neighboring Europe, Estoril, where you already went to the times of the ITC. Moreover, there was in the middle of the season during the summer break a invitation race on a street circuit in Shanghai. However, this did not count for the Championship so. The vehicles were flown by plane to China. Therefore, the manufacturers were not represented by all pilots and sat partially a year old cars. Due to the particular space and to save weight in flight, was dispensed with pit stops with refueling during the race and returned to the familiar two runs per race. However, only one run was down because at the start of the first race, a manhole cover, all of which were not welded shut, aufstellte the maelstrom of vehicles and destroyed the vehicle by Bernd Mayländer. The after welding shut all located on the route manhole covers launched late race that ended shortly before dark, won Gary Paffett.

The championship was again a duel between Mercedes and Audi, with the protagonists Mattias Ekström and Gary Paffett and Albers. Ultimately Ekström was able to secure the title prematurely. Audi also took the team and manufacturers' championship in its first year. The advantage of the new A4 was clearly on the winding roads, because you, accordingly organized the aerodynamics, which must be set before the season. But Mercedes could dominate on the faster tracks. Opel took despite the Star banns with the new car only a role of an outsider. The best result was only a third place by Manuel Reuter in Oschersleben.

At the end of the season, General Motors announced the withdrawal of Opel in the DTM. The decision came from the parent company due to a drastic reorganization program. Although the withdrawal took place after the 2005 season, but this was denied only on a limited budget.

2005

After Opel announced that it would exit the end of the season, you could present a new manufacturer before the season. It was MG Rover. However, it was out of this commitment, nothing. They had indeed possible to develop a car based on the MG ZT in the British sports car manufacturer Zytek, but it was never finished and never used, as the company went bankrupt before. Opel became involved this year with only four cars in the DTM. Due to the limited budget the previous year's vehicle was developed only in details further. Audi has developed a completely new car, which now corresponded to the appearance of the face-lifted A4. In order to make the cars from last year competitive, one in 2005 resulted in the handicap system, which would also house different basis weights for the different vintages. The dynamic handicap system that existed in the days of the "old " DTM was provided only for the current vehicles. It concerned not a single successful driver but all driver of successful vehicle.

Since Opel began only four vehicles, Mercedes and Audi topped up to eight vehicles. Abt Sportsline Audi sat for a the four new A4, while Joest took over the use of the four previous models. From Abbot to Joest joined Christian Abt, who made his cockpit for the former Formula 1 driver Allan McNish free. The 2004-spec Joest drivers are again moved towards ALMS and have made a place for Rinaldo Capello, Pierre Kaffer and Frank Stippler free. At Mercedes could announce the comeback from two -time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, who took over the cockpit of Albers, who changed the direction of Formula 1. In Persson Mercedes you took over the use of a fifth C-Class of the current year for Jamie Green.

The race calendar should include the first 11 counting for the championship race. The original calendar saw race in Moscow and Avignon before, but for organizational reasons, not both occur. Actually, Moscow should be postponed to the year 2006, but it is later heard nothing more. The races were replaced with Brno and by a second run at the Euro Speedway Lausitz in the calendar. On the latter was built for the DTM race a new curve which shortened the lap length and thus increased the number of rounds. In addition, Spa -Francorchamps and Istanbul were added, which replaced the races in Portugal and Italy.

This season, Mercedes was the strongest brand again. Despite the handicap weight Mercedes won eight of eleven races. Mika Hakkinen also could already enter in his third DTM race in the winners' list. Gary Paffett won the championship clearly ahead of last year's champion Mattias Ekström, who was able to keep open the championship with happiness and by a few errors Paffett to the end. As might be expected, it was in the last season for Opel with the limited budget and no further forward than in previous years. Only a single podium finish of Heinz -Harald Frentzen in Brno was seen as the best result.

2006

The 2006 season was after the Opel exit the first DTM season with only two manufacturers. To continue to present a field of 20 vehicles, Mercedes and Audi agreed to now use vehicles from three different vintages. In addition to the four new and four year old cars now came from two manufacturers even two vehicles from the year 2004. Moreover, we restricted the development of new vehicles for 2006 to further reduce costs. The use of the vehicles from the previous year did not take over at Audi now more Joest. The team focused again on the full Le Mans race with the new Audi R10 TDI. But came with Phoenix and Rosberg DTM two experienced teams back in the series who had previously used the vehicles for Opel or Mercedes. The use of the 2004 cars took over at Audi, the private Futurecom TME team while Mercedes divided the 2004 cars on the team Persson Motorsport and Mücke Motorsport.

The qualifying was modified in 2006 and again adjusted to the Formula 1. Again, there were now shedding process. The qualifying session was divided into three passages, in which each slowest six per pass retire, or take their back starting places. The number of rounds was not set forth in the regulations. Per passage counts only the fastest lap of the respective passage.

Reigning champion Gary Paffett moved from the DTM in the Formula 1 test team McLaren - Mercedes. His place at HWA took a Jamie Green, who had started in the previous year with a current C-Class. In his last DTM season Jean Alesi exchanged with Bruno Spengler the team and therefore the relevance of the vehicles. From Opel Audi moved to Heinz -Harald Frentzen to replace the less successful Allan McNish at Abt Sportsline. Mercedes, as well as Audi increased for the first time with a woman. At Mercedes Susie Stoddart came under contract with Audi Vanina Ickx.

The racing events were reduced again in 2006 to ten races. The foreign races were up to Zandvoort all changed. Were new Brands Hatch, Barcelona and Le Mans. Since at Brands Hatch, the only 2 km long Indy Circuit has traveled, there was first the DTM calendar a shorter track than the Norisring.

Since the development of the vehicles was limited, as in 2005, Mercedes again the faster car. Bernd Schneider succeeded by a good start to the season with two wins in a row to go and other good points finishes his fifth overall victory. At Audi, Tom Kristensen became the most powerful Mercedes- persecutor and had at the beginning of the season good championship chances. However, by a total of four wins to end the season out Bruno Spengler could still be runner- Kristensen. Martin Tomczyk took in Barcelona now in its sixth DTM season his first victory. Heinz -Harald Frentzen remained the only winless Abt- pilot. Countable results did not materialize. After he was turned over to the end of the season from a fellow, Frentzen expressed to the TV to serious criticism Audi. This led to no further extension of the contract between the two parties. Overall, the first season was without Opel but quite successful for the DTM.

2007

Also for the 2007 season, there was no other manufacturer for the DTM. So refined is the last year proven system. Again came the manufacturers Audi and Mercedes with vehicles from three different vintages. The dynamic handicap system was introduced in 2005 for the current vehicles was expanded in 2007 separately for the other vintages. Thus, it was possible that vehicles of an older vintage were heavier than newer. Since at Mercedes this year, a change of model of C- class decency, which was completed for racing version in the DTM, the restriction of development was lower than in the previous year. A new safety car rules were introduced this year in parallel with the formula 1: provided that the pit lane at the exit of the Safety Car will be closed and will re-open when the field has completely strung behind the safety car.

The DTM 2005 champion Gary Paffett returned to the DTM. He wanted to continue to race next to the test driver job at McLaren - Mercedes. However, in all Mercedes works cars of the current year were occupied. That's why he drove only a year Mercedes team Persson Motorsport. At Audi, Timo Scheider rose in the Abt team and took the place of Heinz -Harald Frentzen.

In Race Calendar little changed. Mugello is a track returned with DTM history back to the calendar and replaced Le Mans, with which no new contract came about after slight indifferences 2006.

The 2007 DTM season is likely to go down as far into the turbulent history. The new safety car rules took effect on the final outcome of several races equal. At Hockenheim Mattias Ekström won, after accidental restart of the race with an early pit stop had best strategy. Because of the accident, the race was run on time is shortened to end. He could best take advantage of the new tires and so work from the midfield forward by Ekström's strategy. In the race at the Euro Speedway Lausitz the meltdown happened. The Safety Car had to go to the race track, but missed the leading pilots. This error but was not noticed until after the reboot. The consequence was another safety car phase, which only served to connect the right tire sequence. However, this was only partly possible because some drivers completed their pit stops in pit lane is closed. The structural feature of the Euro Speedway led to it all, moreover, that the drive through the pit lane, including tire change was faster than driving behind the safety car on the track. Thus came a vehicle that turned behind the safety car in the box, before that at the end of the pit lane back on track and thus won a round. Because of these incidents only half points and placing weights were distributed. At Mugello, won the the race gone from 15th Mika Häkkinen, he had completed his second mandatory pit stop, unlike all others before the safety car had on the track. When all the cars behind the safety car were queued, the box and all the pilots opened up to the last-place Häkkinen drove the same time to the box. This Hakkinen took the lead which he defended to the destination. All other positions were redistributed. Also at the Norisring, the safety car period caused a mess, but they did not make any such great influence on the final outcome. At the penultimate race in Barcelona, there was an uproar. The vehicles of the two Audi drivers and championship contender Mattias Ekström and Martin Tomczyk were approached in the race of Mika Hakkinen and Daniel la Rosa, which meant the end for both championship contender. Since there were further clashes between Audi and Mercedes drivers, Audi took eight laps from the end, all remaining pilots from the race in order to " prevent any of the driver does something that we all do not want ", so Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ulrich. Only six Mercedes drivers finished the race.

Overall, Audi built in 2007 the faster car. Especially at the beginning of the season, Mercedes was with his new design at a disadvantage. However, it succeeded in Mercedes at the beginning of the season due to different circumstances, usually to place a 2007 model before a 2007 Audi. Thus, the weights were changing in favor Audis. At Oschersleben, this even resulted in the first win of a year-old car by the former DTM champion Gary Paffett on a 2006-spec Mercedes C-Class. By consistently good results early in the season, Paul di Resta could briefly take in a 2 year old C-Class even the standings and had until shortly before the end of season still theoretical championship chances. At the end of the season at Hockenheim but could Mattias Ekström still secure his second Masters title ahead of Bruno Spengler in an exciting final. In this race there was a departure Mika Häkkinen and Christian Abt, who finished their DTM career in 2007.

2008

As in the two previous years, in 2008, became involved with Mercedes -Benz and Audi again only two manufacturers in the DTM. Due to the Mercedes- Benz 2007 completed model change of the C -Class touring car not the old model were more used from the year 2006. Instead, they continued with the 2007 Exemption a test carrier as a fifth last year's car. At Audi, the new A4 model change was at this season. The new design of the Audi was extremely designed for aerodynamics. Unlike Mercedes -Benz, Audi continued to use two 2006-spec A4. However, this led to a problem with the placement of weights, there was a 2006-spec model by more than one brand. At the beginning of the season we solved the problem by summed up the 2006-spec Audi together with in the 2007 group. In this case, the rule was that the highest ranked vehicle must zuladen 5 kg in the next race, the next best thing retains its weight and the worst may unload 5 kg. Since the 2006 has always been the third best and so auslud the only one who got the weights of the 2007 Audi and Mercedes. So it was that a 2007 model was heavier than a 2008, although the 2007 did not have a ghost of a chance against the 2008 models. This meant that the base weights for all years cars have been reduced by 10 kg exactly half of the season and that the 2007 and 2006-spec Audis are counted together. That is, if the 2007-spec Audi has zuladen, this must also be the 2006. To make the race for the fans more transparent, the pit stop window has been changed. In the first half of the season, the two pit stops were allowed to run during the middle third of the race. Thus, there were only a few tactics possibilities. In order to increase this again extended to the pit stop window for the second half of the season on the second and third quarters racing. In addition, they returned, given the outputs of the pre-season race, the old safety car rule back in the pit lane will remain open. In addition, a ban on team orders in 2008 was decided.

In the racing calendar 2008 Le Mans returned and stopped the season on a 11 race, otherwise remained all race tracks from the previous season on the calendar. At the Euro Speedway Lausitz a new pit entrance was built for the DTM. Since 2007, a Safety Car period came that the drive through the pit lane with integrated tire change was faster than the drive behind the safety car on the track, has now been created in the " Turn 3 " a new pit lane entrance. This gives, in contrast to the original pit lane entrance, which ran over the motorcycle version of the course, no advantage of more than 250 m.

After the career-ending by Mika Hakkinen a HWA cockpit was released at Mercedes -Benz. In this Paul di Resta rose to that in the preseason for a long time had championship chances in a two- year-old car. Thus remained for the former DTM champion Gary Paffett again only last year's cockpit. Such cockpit also got the former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. After his unsuccessful Formula 1 adventure Albers returned in private Futurecom TME team back in the DTM.

The redesigned Audi A4 showed in his debut year immediately as the fastest car. If you had to fight in the pre-test still teething, the A4 was the season opener of his dominant side. On the Mercedes -Benz home track in Hockenheim, Audi recorded a triple triumph. At Oschersleben Timo Scheider was able to record his first DTM victory in the eighth DTM season. Also in Mugello he seemed to be the dominant driver after he picked up his third season pole in the third race. However, he fell after a jump start out of the points and it was the first Mercedes -Benz - season victory. In changeable conditions at the Nurburgring all Audis started in dry to wet tires, but the rain held off for the time being and as early as the formation lap, the first pilots switched back to slicks. Similar in Le Mans. Here it was already at the championship duel between Scheider and Di Resta. His Mercedes -Benz was on a drying track with wet tires at the start of the move and always lost more time on Scheider. When it started to rain harder at the end of the race, di Resta switched back to rain tires, while Scheider was again sent out on slicks after the last pit stop. An additional stop was necessary for him, so he fell back behind Di Resta and went to the finals with only 2 points ahead to Hockenheim. With a local victory but he made his first league title perfectly.

2009

Timo Scheider was able to defend his title from last year ahead of Gary Paffett and Paul di Resta. This was 2000 and 2001, no more driver Bernd Schneider succeeded since over the years. Even Mercedes- Benz was able to defend his title.

2010

Paul di Resta was first master before Gary Paffett and Bruno Spengler. Mercedes -Benz once again won the manufacturers' title.

2011

The 2011 season was the last for the time being, were used in the four-door sedans. In the championship, there was a double success for Audi. It won Martin Tomczyk. The brand title also went to Audi.

2012

After BMW withdrew from Formula 1 in late 2009, there was speculation about an introduction of the manufacturer in the DTM. However, BMW has denied and denied an entry in 2010. Motorsport Director Mario Theissen principle expressed interest but wanted to wait for the reformed rules from 2011. The BMW board issued the following statement on 29 April 2010 that the negotiations with the DTM umbrella organization ITR will positively run and working on an entry for the 2012 season. On 15 October 2010 the race at Hockenheim BMW and the DTM umbrella organization ITR has been officially confirmed that BMW would again be represented from the 2012 season at the factory in the DTM on the edge. The manufacturer went with the BMW M3 DTM in the 2012 season. The championship won Bruno Spengler for BMW. Also, BMW secured the Manufacturers' Championship.

Mercedes -Benz C- Coupe DTM 2012

BMW M3 Coupe 2012 DTM

2013

There were two significant changes in the regulations pre-season: It was introduced Drag Reduction System ( DRS). The system works the rear wing at any point back on the track when the driver in the previous round 2 seconds or less behind the front man, which may increase the top speed by up to 10 km / hr. In addition, each driver a set of tires option Tyres were exclusively in the race are available which have a softer compound than standard tires and are therefore faster, but also more likely to break down. With these changes, more overtaking should be effected.

Mike Rockenfeller Audi won against Augusto Farfus and Bruno Spengler (both BMW), the best Mercedes driver Christian Vietoris was in fourth place. BMW won the manufacturers' title, Audi Sport Team Phoenix won the team title.

Rules

Because of the bad experiences from the year 1996, the technical rules was strictly respected at the expense limitation in the redesign. Thus, the eight-cylinder V-engines have to keep a maximum of 4000 cc very long, two drivers, it must be shared by three engines over a season. Test drives are limited to 20 days a year. Many parts of the vehicles, including the tires (up to 2010 by Dunlop, from 2011 Hankook ), the transmission from Xtrac or Hewland, the carbon brakes from AP Racing, the electronics from Bosch and the rear wing are uniformly required for all vehicles.

Interesting is the fact that it is for the vehicles used not to touring cars in the sense of the ISC ( International Sporting Code of the FIA) is, but about racing cars, as there are formula cars or prototypes. Nevertheless, remained the "T " in the name "DTM ". A similar concept is pursued from 2001 to 2003 the V8STAR series, which in turn was modeled on the NASCAR in the United States.

Places special emphasis on the traditional DTM driver safety. Throughout the DTM history there has never been a fatal accident.

The sporting regulations was in the early days of the 'new DTM ' subject to some changes, initially there were two equivalent race over 100 km, as in the period to 1996, then from time to time a sprint race over 35 km and a much longer feature race. The two races and the associated problem not to be race- able in the second race after an accident, Mercedes brought to the unconventional idea to build a modular car, in which, in the short break between the two runs when needed, the front and rear part of the car could be completely replaced.

Since 2003 there is only one main race over 160 km, in which the driver to change the tires have at least twice into the pits. The scoring has changed in these years constantly:

Flag characters

The flags are used to communicate between the marshals respectively the race organizers and the riders to this example in time to indicate a hazardous situation.

In the DTM set by the FIA international flag characters are. In the DTM, the flags are for the 2012 season instructed directly by the race management and controlled and displayed directly on the steering wheel of the participants, this system is here called marshaling system.

Driver

In the DTM, both great talents have been repeatedly discovered for Formula 1, but also come former Formula 1 drivers left their active involvement in the highest class formula. So Formula 1 drivers such as Alexander Wurz, Giancarlo Fisichella, Gary Paffett, Paul di Resta and Albers had previously demonstrated their talent in the DTM test. Michael Schumacher in the Mercedes, however, came in 1990 with his touring car debut at Hockenheim only up to the first corner. He misjudged, slipped across the field and hit just with the so far in the standings leader, BMW driver Johnny Cecotto, a. After the changes brought about by the collision restart Cecotto had to start from the last position of the spare car. This setback was Audi driver Hans- Joachim Stuck, German Touring Car Champion 1990.

The current or former DTM driver Jean Alesi, David Coulthard, Heinz -Harald Frentzen, Timo Glock, Mika Hakkinen, Pedro Lamy, Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro, Bernd Schneider and Ralf Schumacher drove previously in Formula 1

The Dane Tom Kristensen, Audi factory driver or Joest Racing, won for the eighth time in 2008, the 24 Hours of Le Mans ( after 1997 and 2000 to 2005).

Statistical

DTM Champions since 2000

1997-1999 no DTM race to see 1996 German Touring Car Championship

Media presence

TV broadcasts

The qualifying and race of the DTM transmits the first live.

Computer Games

From Codemasters with the DTM Race Driver series different to the DTM -based racing games for PC, Playstation 2, X-Box and Nintendo DS have been published.

Beginning in December 2013 published SimBin the new racing series DTM Experience for PC. The game is based on the 2013 season.

234087