What will happen if Opel leaves DTM for ETCC?

MaxSport · 1 Jul 2002, 21:27 (Ref:325430)

Do you think that if Opel leave the DTM that the series will continue?

Who believes it is likely that they will go race in the ETCC instead?

Kurt

JMeissner · 1 Jul 2002, 22:41 (Ref:325475)

I think that it would be a good move for Opel... The results hasn't been that good, many things are indicating that they will move... And it will get good, better than the DTM to a wider audience, advertising for the new Vectra which I think is needed...

**touringlegend** · 1 Jul 2002, 22:46 (Ref:325480)

I agree it'd be a good choice on Opel's part..ETCC will be much cheaper than DTM and at least in the ETCC they don't race pieces of carbon fibre !!

MaxSport · 1 Jul 2002, 23:32 (Ref:325514)

I agree that Opel should race the new Vectra in ETCC.
If even half of the ETCC rumors happen for '03 it will be fantastic.

But what of the DTM?
Will Daimler and Audi continue to race "pieces of carbon fibre"? Unless each commit to fielding 10 cars each the whole thing could collapse again.

Maybe then we would see a fleet of C class Mercedes in the ETCC as well.

KM

JMeissner · 1 Jul 2002, 23:37 (Ref:325515)

Perhaps it's time for Jaguar to follow Alesi's way...

kmchow · 2 Jul 2002, 03:58 (Ref:325569)

Wow, I don't think the DTM could stand very well with MB as the only Works team and Audi as a semi-works at best? OTOH, if Opel does threaten to leave, perhaps the DTM will give Opel some rule changes that will make the Astra more competitive?

racer69 · 2 Jul 2002, 04:04 (Ref:325572)

There was an artical in Autosport a few months ago where the writer said that if Opel left, the DTM could reinvent itself as a Sportscar style championship, as the Audi TT-R isn't a proper Touring Car, Merc could race one of their sports models, and allowing Porsche (who have said they may enter, but they don't build touring cars) to enter the Carrera GT.

Hopefully at least a couple of the ETCC rumours come true, though i would like to see some national championships adopt the rules, like Sweden

MaxSport · 2 Jul 2002, 04:14 (Ref:325575)

Racer 69-Thanks for mentioning that Autosport article. I do remember seeing it now that you bring it up. So the DTM might become the DRM, like in the late 70's-early eighties.

That might be for the best. Opel comes to the ETCC and a sprint GT series replaces the DTM which are not touring cars anyway.

alesi95 · 2 Jul 2002, 10:27 (Ref:325743)

I think Dtm gets a lot more exposure than the ETCC. Infact I surprised that the Etcc is growing, in its first year it looked shaky.
The Danger is if the Etcc does expand there is the threat of it becoming to "big for its boots" like the ITC AND FIA sportscar championship did. Even the BTCC was indanger imploding.
However I would like to see new manufacturers in the Dtm.
It would be fantastic to see BMW's, Audis and Jags racing the Mercs.

100%VauxhallFan · 2 Jul 2002, 12:27 (Ref:325822)

I dont think we are likey to see Jag in anything other than single seaters offically. Ford is loosing a lot of money, and has said that they will provide Jag to be in F1 for another couple of years. I dont see them having the money to afford another expensive series like the DTM as well as F1.

Alfa Fan · 2 Jul 2002, 20:46 (Ref:326107)

DTM would be in serious trouble if Opel quit.

Speeddemon555 · 4 Jul 2002, 21:26 (Ref:327329)

If Opel leaves DTM, I would like to see the BMWs in the German Touring Car Masters Series.

MaxSport · 4 Jul 2002, 23:24 (Ref:327379)

I can see a BMW M3 V8 in the DTM.

I just wouldn't want to see it happen instead of the ETCC program.

KM

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 00:43 (Ref:327413)

I dunno, a M3 V8 is tempting, very tempting indeed...

kmchow · 5 Jul 2002, 03:19 (Ref:327453)

I'm not sure if the DTM will make an exception for the V8 M3? When is the production V8 M3 supposed to appear?

MaxSport · 5 Jul 2002, 04:04 (Ref:327467)

That is exactly why they might do it. There is little in the way of homologation required for the DTM. How many Audi TT Audis V8s are on the road?

The motor is the perfect size for DTM. Many thought the V8 GT program was partially about developing the engine for the DTM.

I would just prefer to see them in ETCC. If they decided to do both then that would be great.

With the F-1 program draining much of the motorsport budget I doubt that it will happen.

KM

pink69 · 5 Jul 2002, 09:42 (Ref:327566)

There will be no Production M3 V8 according to BMW, which is why the car won't be back in the ALMS. If Ople quit, we could see another manufacturer in, question is who. VW maybe. This would allow Mercedes to run more cars so really it would be better if Opel stayed. Jaguar could run a modified versin of the S-Class V8 Star car I suppose.

alesi95 · 5 Jul 2002, 12:24 (Ref:327647)

Cant see a VW in DTM.
Who do you think own Audi?

**touringlegend** · 5 Jul 2002, 12:48 (Ref:327660)

Jaguar would need to start from scratch as the V8 Star car isn't a Jaguar.

racer69 · 5 Jul 2002, 14:03 (Ref:327725)

Jaguar wouldn't enter either, Ford have said they are for F1.

I can see a close relation of the ex-ALMS M3 entering, though only in private hands, didn't Berger say he wasn't interested in the DTM because it was mainly a national series.

Alfa Fan · 5 Jul 2002, 15:35 (Ref:327778)

Volvo S80 could be entered?

kmchow · 6 Jul 2002, 01:29 (Ref:328006)

Last I recall, BMW had argued their racing version V8 M3 was "legal" b/c they intended to have a V8 production version. That was how they managed to reason their way into racing in the ALMS.

Touringlegend wrote:

>Jaguar would need to start from scratch as the V8 Star car isn't a Jaguar.
>
I guess officially that is correct. But c'mon, "unofficially" everyone knows that car is a Jaguar! Ditto for the Focus, Passat,etc...

JMeissner · 6 Jul 2002, 04:43 (Ref:328031)

Quote:

Originally posted by Alfa Fan
Volvo S80 could be entered?

Why?

pink69 · 11 Jul 2002, 14:09 (Ref:331868)

What will their DTM drivers do? Schieder and Reuter I'd imagine to be kept on. Winklehock could be tempted back to BMW with the ETCC team, maybe moving Dirk alongside Fredrick. Menu would probably re-appear over here and as for Bartels and Olivier, thats anyones' guess.

MaxSport · 11 Jul 2002, 17:08 (Ref:332000)

Pink 69- You are talking like this could really happen. Do you have any other news that would lead one to think Opel could bail out and go to the ETCC?

KM

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