Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

The new DTM 2000

Mercedes-Benz AMG DTM car (2006)

During the ITC era 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. 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-Benz supported expensive competitiveness in development, BMW wanted an international series rather than one focused 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).

Unlike the previous incarnation which primarily used sedan models like the Mercedes-Benz W201, the new DTM featured only 2-door coupés. 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.

The motorsport arm of the Bavarian tuning company Abt Sportsline was allowed to enter on short notice. 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. The 1999 STW-Supertouring-champion Christian Abt could not defend his STW title as this series was also discontinued, with Opel moving into DTM.

DTM 2000–2003

In May 2000, the new DTM started with the traditional Hockenheimring 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.

Ups and downs for Opel

Opel Astra DTM

In 2000, Manuel Reuter 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).

Audi joins DTM in 2004

After their successes with the Audi R8 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. Audi immediately had stellar success in 2004 with Swedish driver Mattias Ekström, now a long-time veteran of the sport, becoming champion for the first time.

DTM in 2005–2006

The championship suffered a setback in 2004 when long-time also-ran Opel 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.

DTM in 2007–2013

The DTM carried on with only two manufacturers. The years 2007-2009 were marked by the dominance of Audi. Swede Mattias Ekström won the second of his two titles in 2007, and Timo Scheider took the driver's championship in the following two years. Mercedes were in the runner-up positions in both 2008 and 2009 (Paul di Resta in 2008 and Gary Paffett in 2009). In 2010, Mercedes finally bridged the gap to Audi, as Paul di Resta won the 2010 championship driving for AMG Mercedes.

In 2011 and 2012, the DTM held a Race of Champions-style exhibition event in the Munich Olympic Stadium.^[1]

2012 was the year that BMW made a return to the series after twenty years away,^[2] and won the drivers', teams', and manufacturers' titles in their first year after a 20-year hiatus.^[3]

Audi has switched from the A4 to the A5 in 2012^[4] and to the RS5 in 2013.^[5] In 2013, the F1-style Drag Reduction Systems were introduced by DTM for the first time to improve racing.

Recent history (2014–present)

In 2014, the body shape as well as aero kits of all DTM cars were remodified to improve racing. The double-header races (Saturday and Sunday races) were returned in 2015 and thus switching from lap-race to timed race. The qualifying format were also reformatted into single-session timed qualification for Saturday and Sunday races. Performance weights were also introduced to determine the winning cars's weight.

In 2017 the field size of DTM were scaled down to 18 cars instead of 24 cars due to improve quality as well as more affordable for its existing manufacturers and a more attractive proposition for any prospective entrants.

DTM—SuperGT unification

In March 2010, GT Association (the governing body in Super GT 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.^[6] In October 2012 a cooperation deal between DTM and Super GT was signed in Tokyo. The agreement regarding the use of the 'New DTM' regulations by Japan's Super GT begins in 2014 and runs – for the time being – for four years.^[7] DTM is set to ditch V8 engines in favour of two-litre turbos by 2019 at the latest, which Super GT had implemented in 2014.^[8]

NASCAR Holdings / United SportsCar Racing

On 27 March 2013, the ITR and NASCAR Holdings' road racing division, United SportsCar Racing, announced after years of planning, a North American DTM is scheduled to start between 2015 and 2016 based on the 2014 DTM regulations.^[9] But North American DTM are not yet commenced currently.

Chassis

The cutaway DTM car.

The DTM is a mass-produced touring car. The championship controls and specifies the chassis/car and engine manufacturers that teams are allowed to use each season. The league's choice of manufacturers are changed every three years. Currently Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz provides the cars to all teams, with Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz providing the engines respectively. Opel has provided cars and engines in 2000-2005 but left at the end of the 2005 season. The all Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars closely resemble public road vehicles but heavily modified into a race version.

During the first inaugural resumption season, all DTM car styles were utilized shorter two-door coupé-style cars until 2003 season but in 2004 coupé-style cars were minority due to the transition to four-door sedan saloon-style cars. In 2004 the four-door sedan saloon-style cars were introduced due to touring car's philosophy (several touring car racing tournaments have a de facto 4-door sedan saloon cars) until 2011. For 2012 season onwards the two-door coupé-style cars were returned until to date but the two-door coupé-style cars are much more different than 2000-2003 cars (longer length, longer wheelbase, slightly lower height and aggressive aero package). The updated new coupé-style cars were introduced in 2017 thanks to new rear wing.

The cars are supposed to be fast and spectacular, while still fairly cheap to build and run. All DTM race cars have RWD and 4.0 L V8 engines which are air-restricted to 460 hp but now into over 500 hp since 2017 season, 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 specialists are used, like transmission (from Hewland), brakes (from AP Racing), wheels (from ATS) and Hankook tyres (see below). The all-important aerodynamic configurations are tested in wind tunnels before the season, brought to an equal level, and kept that way throughout the season.

DTM cars adhere to a front engine rear-wheel-drive design (similar to public legal road car). A roll cage serves as a space frame chassis, covered by CFRP crash elements on the side, front and rear and covered by metallic bodywork. They have a closed cockpit, a bi-plane rear wing, and other aerodynamic parts such as front splitter, side winglets and hood holes (see also on Aerodynamics section for more details).

The price of 1 unit current DTM car is normally €600,000-1,000,000 complete.

Engines

The cars are currently powered by naturally-aspirated (no turbocharger and supercharger) indirect-injected stock block V8 engines, with aluminium alloy blocks, and a 2xDOHC valvetrain actuating four-valves per cylinder, and limited to 4.0 L (244 cu in) displacement since the series' rebirth in 2000. DTM car engines are currently producing over 500 hp (373 kW; 507 PS) power output at 8,500 rpm. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are currently providing DTM engines with the manufacturers respectively. The engines of all DTM cars are close-resemblance to public vehicle road cars but heavily modified to DTM race version.

DTM engines are rev-limited to 9,000 rpm. The valve train is a dual overhead camshaft configuration with four valves per cylinder. The crankshaft is made of alloy steel, with five main bearing caps. The pistons are forged aluminum alloy, while the connecting rods are machined alloy steel. The firing ignition is a CDI ignition system. The engine lubrication is a dry sump type, cooled by a single water pump.

The current DTM engine weight are DTM-mandated minimum 148 kg (326 lb) without filter and spark box.

The current 4.0 L (244 cu in) V8 engine normally aspirated 90-degree configuration will be used as a required engine configuration until at least the 2018 season. All DTM cars will switch to an all-new 2.0 L (122 cu in) inline-4 cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine from the 2019 season onwards called the "Class One" while the current coupé-style cars likely will remain in 2019 beyond.^[11] This will mark the return of turbocharger engines in 2019 season for the first time since 1990. The power output of all-new DTM engine will be approximately 600 hp (447 kW; 608 PS).

Performance

According to research and pre-season stability tests, the current model can go 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 2.6 seconds. The car has a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph) meaning that it is the second fastest touring car behind the Australian V8 Supercars^[12].

Prohibitions

Driver aids like ABS, traction control, launch control, active suspension, cockpit-adjustable anti-roll bar and partial car-to-team radio communications are currently prohibited except fuel mapping and Drag Reduction Systems, which can only be used for 12 laps in 2018 when near enough.

Driver safety

The safety is very important for all Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers. Race suit, Nomex underwear, gloves, socks, boots and headsocks are requiredly by driver. Meanwhile the helmets for all Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers are made of carbon-fibre shell, lined with energy-absorbing foam and Nomex padding. The helmet type must meet or exceed FIA 8860-2010 certification approval as a homologation for all auto racing drivers. HANS device are required by Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers since 2002 season that meets or exceeds FIA 8858-2010 certification approval. Earpieces also required by Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers to improve communication listening.

Specifications

Comparison with Formula One

A Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car is a single-seat touring car racing. For much of their history Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars have more different to Formula One cars, although there have traditionally been several key differences between the two.

Over the years both Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and Formula One race schedules are traditionally held in permanent racing courses. The increased stress and speed of these tracks mean that the cars tended to be heavier, wider and have shorter wheelbases than F1 cars (increasing stability but decreasing agility).

When the weight of the driver is factored in, a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car weighed over 55% more than a Formula One Car. The minimum weight for a Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car was adjusted from 1,080 kg (2,381 lb) based on the weight of the driver compared to the field average; with the driver included, all cars had a minimum weight of 1,120 kg (2,469 lb) (with a Balance of Performance weight allowance range of 1,095–1,140 kg (2,414–2,513 lb). A Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters car piloted by 82 kg Maxime Martin (the heaviest driver in the series and 10 kg heavier than the field average) had to have weighed at least 1,080 kg when empty. The minimum weight of a Formula One Car, including the driver, currently 722 kg (1,592 lb). This difference of 398 kg (877 lb) is just over 55% of the 2017 F1 car's weight.

Beginning in the inaugural season of the reborn DTM that Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars used the 4.0 L (244 cu in) naturally-aspirated 90-degree V8 engines but that time in 2000 Formula One were used the 3.0 L (183 cu in) naturally-aspirated various bank angle V10 engines until end of 2005. Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars had up to 460 hp (343 kW) more compared to their Formula One counterparts, as early as in the 70s the cars had in excess of 1,000 hp. Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars having 460 hp (343 kW) on demand and F1 cars having around 700 hp to 840 hp in 3.5L NA (1989–94) era, around 700 hp to 1000 hp for final specs in 3.0L NA V10 (1995–2005) era and around 770 hp to 840 hp in 2.4L NA V8 (2006–2013) era and currently over 800hp (2017 spec combustion engine alone) with an additional 160hp from the electric motors from their 1.6L V6 turbo-hybrid-electro powerunit.^[16][17] The turbo used mainly to improve the spectacle rather than lap-times with the so-called 'power-to-pass' or 'push-to-pass' system giving drivers an increased amount of power for a limited duration during the race. Another reason for retaining the turbocharger especially in Formula-1 is the muffling effect it has on the exhaust note, which helps keep the cars inside noise-limits, to meet FIA regulations and rules at the many city street races in European cities on the racing season schedule.

Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars used unleaded gasoline for fuel rather than leaded gasoline, and refuelling had always been banned during the race since 2012 season. This is a legacy of an incident at the second Hockenheimring race in 2008 that involving Marcus Winkelhock due to fuel spill after over refuelling. Until 1994, when refuelling was re-introduced to F1 (and banned again from 2010 onwards), the coupling for the refuelling hose was a notable difference between Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars (canister refueler) and Formula cars (hose refueler). Refuelling were allowed in DTM from 2000 to 2011 seasons.

Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars has flat undersides to improve stability. F1 banned sculpted undersides in a bid to lower cornering speeds for 1983. In an effort to create better passing opportunities, the new spec Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars being introduced in 2012 will generate nearly 50% of the total downforce of the car with flat underside tunnels versus the front splitter and rear wing. This will reduce turbulent air behind the cars, enabling easier overtaking.

Unlike in F1, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters teams were obliged to construct their own chassis for only main teams, and had tended to buy cars constructed by independent suppliers such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG. However Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters had essentially been a semi-spec series since 2005, with all teams favoring both Audi and Mercedes-Benz cars mainly because of Opel's withdrawal after 2005 season.

The Formula One Car is a more expensive and technology-centric platform than a DTM car. This was even the case during the new coupé era since 2012 season. At this time global automotive manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG vied for dominance. Since Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters's restructuring, a desire to keep costs down and the existence of two car manufacturer helped create a series with far more parity than Formula One in 2006.

For top speeds, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters cars are slower than Formula One car in fact (DTM cars have 168 mph (270 km/h) in a normal tracks meanwhile Formula One cars have 225 mph (362 km/h) in a high-speed tracks such as Monza).