Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[DTM steps into new era (and maybe America) as new racers debut at Hockenheim]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/dtm-steps-into-new-era-and-maybe-america-as-new-racers-debut-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/dtm-steps-into-new-era-and-maybe-america-as-new-racers-debut-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/dtm-steps-into-new-era-and-maybe-america-as-new-racers-debut-a/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 DTM preview at Hockenheim

DTM is one of Germany's best-kept secrets. The series features (ostensibly) production-based touring cars piloted by a mix of up-and-coming talents and retired Formula One drivers around some of Europe's finest racing circuits. But the series won't be a secret for long as a number of developments aim to up its profile.

First of all, with the 2011 season now complete, the German touring car championship is about to switch to a new formula that will see a new generation of racing coupes replace the older sedans. The new crop just made their track debut this weekend at Hockenheim for the DTM season finale, and we've put together a little gallery of high-res images for you to check out.

The 2012 field is also growing thanks to the arrival of BMW, which is joining the series as of next season to take on Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which have been dueling it out mano-a-mano for the past few seasons. Having only shown the new M3 DTM in matte black until now, BMW has finally showcased its new racer in full regalia, packing the marque's signature striped white livery.

BMW is eager to leverage its new DTM program beyond Germany's borders. This year's calendar included races in Austria, Holland, England and Spain, in addition to those within Germany, and has in recent years raced in such locations as Italy, France, Belgium, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Turkey and even China. However, a closing gap in regulations between DTM and Japan's Super GT series could soon see the two competing on common fields.

More intriguing, however, is a development BMW is keen to pursue that would see DTM come to the United States. Touring car racing - as distinct from stock cars - is not very popular in America, and the organizers of the German series have been working at filling that gap by pairing an American version of the series as support races for series like NASCAR, Grand-Am or IndyCar. Sources indicate the move could happen as soon as 2013 - in other words, the racing season after next. Follow the jump for press releases from Audi and BMW on the track debuts of their new racers.

Continue reading DTM steps into new era (and maybe America) as new racers debut at Hockenheim

DTM steps into new era (and maybe America) as new racers debut at Hockenheim originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gary Paffett's 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG DTM
Gary Paffett's 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG DTM - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in the day, before Formula One drivers started trying their hand at NASCAR and the World Rally Championship - we're looking at you, Kimi - there was really just one address for retired grand prix pilots: DTM. The German racing series is king of all touring car championships, and has drawn such notables as Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, JJ Lehto, David Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher to its ranks. While BMW is preparing to take on its arch-rivals in the series soon enough, it's Mercedes-Benz that draws the big talents. And this year looks to be no exception.

Both Ralf and DC will be back behind the wheel of the C-Class AMG- the most decorated car in the series' history - for this year's championship. And while Paul di Resta - Mercedes' reigning champion - has moved the other way up to F1 (driving for Force India this season), David and Ralf won't be the only talents hoisting the Silver Star in DTM this season.

They'll be joined by former DTM champ and perennial McLaren test driver Gary Paffett (who has more wins to his name than anyone else in the series), Canadian driver Bruno Spengler (runner-up in 2006 and 2007), emerging talents Jamie Green and Maro Engel, and newcomers Renger van der Zande and Christian Vietoris. Susie Stoddart returns as well for her sixth season in the series, joining a long line of female drivers in DTM that has included Vanina Ickx (daughter of grand prix and Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx) and England's Katherine Legge.

Last season, Mercedes managed to win nine out of eleven races and seize all three top slots in the standings by season's end to tower over the competition. Will they be able to continue the domination this year? Only time will tell, but for now you can follow the jump for the full press release, view the full roster in the gallery below, and look over the Paffett's latest DTM-spec C-Class in the pair of fresh galleries we've assembled for your viewing pleasure below.


Gallery: Gary Paffett's 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG DTM


Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz DTM driver lineup


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz rolls out star-studded DTM lineup

Mercedes-Benz rolls out star-studded DTM lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If we've said it once, we've said it a thousand times, but it warrants repeating - in context especially - that there exists an ocean of difference between stock car racing in America and touring cars overseas. And we're talking about more than geography here. The cars are different, the tracks are different, the drivers, the fans... and so too is the racing. But the two are about to take one step closer when two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekström takes on NASCAR.

Now Ekstrom wouldn't be the first European driver to test drive a stock car, but he's already done that. What we're talking about here is the full contest of an actual NASCAR race (made possibly by Red Bull, which sponsors his Audi A4 DTM and the #83 Toyota Camry he'll be driving Stateside). And not in a feeder series, either: the Toyota/Save Mart 350 is a full-fledged round of the top-tier Sprint Cup, not the Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series or ARCA junior league like some European drivers have started out with when making the transition.

Mind you, the race is being held at Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point) in Sonoma, California - one of only two road-courses on the series calendar - but the round at the Lausitzring EuroSpeedway (run partially on the banked tri-oval) ranks among the fourteen DTM races which Ekström's won, so he very well might stand a fighting chance on an American oval, too. In the meantime we'll be watching the weekend after next to see how Mattias fares in his auspicious NASCAR debut. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading DTM champ Mattias Ekström swaps tin-tops for NASCAR

DTM champ Mattias Ekström swaps tin-tops for NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M3 GT2 in ALMS - Click above for high-res image gallery

After BMW withdrew from Formula One at the end of the 2009 season, the automaker announced it would focus its motorsports efforts on production-based series. BMW announced this week that its board had approved a return to competition in the German Touring Car Championship (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM)) starting in 2012, provided certain conditions are met. Exactly what those conditions are is unclear right now, but they likely involves some rules changes.

While BMW has been competing in other touring car classes including the World Touring Car Championship, it has not appeared in the DTM since the mid-1990s. Currently only Audi and Mercedes-Benz compete in DTM.

Technical development has begun on the DTM car and it will be based on the M3. With a 2012 DTM launch, BMW will likely use the next-generation M3, which is expected to debut sometime in 2011. The current M3 already competes in GT2 in North America and Europe and BMW recently launched a GT3 class Z4 racer.


Gallery: 2009 BMW M3 GT2 at Mid-Ohio


[Source: BMW]
Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Max Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading With F1 behind it, BMW planning return to DTM in 2012

With F1 behind it, BMW planning return to DTM in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 May 2010 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Formula One drivers have a relatively short career span. Sure, they're starting younger and younger, but few driving aces extend their careers beyond their early thirties, if that long. David Coulthard is one notable exception, retiring after 15 consecutive seasons in F1 at "the ripe old age" of 37.

For years the DTM German touring car series has been a refuge for former F1 drivers, attracting the likes of Jean Alesi, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Mika Hakkinen, to name just a few. Now Coulthard is set to join their ranks.

Instead of driving for the Red Bull-sponsored Audi team, however, Coulthard will be driving for Mercedes-Benz, having recently tested one of their touring cars. There he'll be teaming up with a handful of other drivers with F1 experience, including Ralf Schumacher (who renewed his Mercedes DTM contract after failing to return to F1 this season) as well as Gary Paffet and Paul di Resta, both reserve drivers for Mercedes-powered F1 teams (McLaren and Force India, respectively).

Because the DTM calendar doesn't conflict with F1's, Coulthard will also continue his role as a commentator for BBC's grand prix coverage. The Flying Scotsman points to the seven years he spent racing Mercedes-powered McLarens as the basis for his move, and rules out the prospect of returning to F1.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty]

Coulthard takes to the tin-tops for Mercedes DTM originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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