BMW to join DTM 2012 BMW M3 set to compete in DTM from 2012 | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online
yeah, very nice prospects over there! but what the regulators should allow/propose is, apart from a new engine formula, is bringing back the quattro as an option, so allowing the manufacturers to compete in more representative way to their road car r/d... of course, we can argue that such thing is out of question because we would know the winner even before the race starts!
All the best for my brand in the coming DTM season, my eyes will be glued to the screen on racing days (DSTV Supersport RSA) :worshbmw:
Maybe Audi should just finally suck it up and make a REAL road going car with RWD...Or better yet just make the entire lineup RWD.
Well, it's not that easy to kill and spit on something you've been feeding for 30 years, which also has proved to be superior in every aspect but subjective feeling of an ignorant and biased observer! :eusa_thin
Eh? Sorry, there's nothing luxurious about torque steer, and nothing fun about a FWD car unless it's a small hatch not sedan size.
Rumor: BMW Motorsport returning to DTM. Possible announce on Friday (today) According to our sister-magazine, BimmerToday, quoting German automotive outlets, BMW Motorsport will make an announcement on Friday regarding their return to the DTM (German Touring Car Masters) championship in 2012. First news around a possible return to DTM appeared back in April when both Dr. Klaus Draeger, BMW AG board member responsible for development and Motorsport boss Mario Thiessen spoke on the subject: Mario Theissen: “The newly aligned programme offers us many important stages, on which to demonstrate the sporting gene present in BMW vehicles. The planned return to the DTM is an exciting challenge for our team. Over the coming months we will be making all the necessary technical preparations that should allow us to be competitive right from the start should we join the series in 2012. Thanks to its great tradition in production car racing, the BMW M3 is predestined to be used as the basic car. In 2011 we will once again be lining up with our BMW M3 GT2, which is contesting its debut season in Europe this year.” Dr. Klaus Draeger: “Following the withdrawal from Formula One, the realignment of our motorsport programme is raising our presence in production car racing to a whole new level. BMW sports and touring cars have achieved success right around the world, and have significantly influenced the brand’s sporting profile right from the word go. For that reason, we see it as a consistent step to return to our roots after bidding farewell to Formula One, and to expand our commitment to this discipline.” Reports say that the initial development of the V8 engine for DTM has been suspended and a different power unit will be used for the racing cars. Source: Rumor: BMW Motorsport returning to DTM. Possible announce on Friday :eusa_pray :t-cheers:
Completely agree with this opinion, though I do feel that in the interests of keeping the thing competitive and not one sided they should make those using AWD carry a weight penalty of between 50-75kgs.
Press release: BMW to return to DTM in 2012. 15.10.2010 Press Release Munich, 15th October 2010. The return of BMW to the DTM from 2012 is reality: This was confirmed by the company during the DTM race weekend at the Hockenheimring. In April this year BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the first time since its departure from the series in 1994. The Board of Management of BMW AG considers conditions tied to a positive decision to return to the popular touring car series have now been met. In recent months BMW has been working with the DTM umbrella organisation ITR e.V. and the other manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalisation of the championship. The positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning its DTM comeback in greater detail. Dr Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with responsibility for development, says: “The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on which to do this.” BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen comments: “The entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for development.” Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board of ITR e.V. (DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): “We welcome the decision by BMW to enter the DTM from 2012. This is a further milestone for the future of our popular racing series, and proves that our efforts over the past few years have paid off. We laid the foundation for this in conjunction with the DMSB and the existing DTM manufacturers, namely Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Thus I would like to heartily thank all parties. I am personally looking forward to again seeing the three premium brands of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz competing against each other on the race track. Our fans have waited a long time for this.” The intention is to use the BMW M3 as the basic DTM vehicle, a car that has enjoyed unique successes in the field of touring and sports car racing in the past. Eric van de Poele (BE) and Roberto Ravaglia (IT) celebrated two DTM titles with the racing version of BMW’s most sporty representative back in 1987 and 1989, while before that Volker Strycek (DE) won the DTM premiere in 1984 in the BMW 635 CSi. This season the current BMW M3 GT2 caused a sensation in the world of international endurance racing, taking victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (DE). Best regards, south
Yep, they want to return to their roots by racing in cars that have a production car as base, rather than a spaceship (F1). A spaceship makes no sense for BMW in developing it's road cars. A racecar made out of a production car is way more useful for development of new cars. Yeah, right :t-crazy2: Time to end it all again. Bye bye MB and Audi. CAN'T FREAKING WAIT!!!!!! WRC + DTM >>>>>>>>>> F1
BMW to Fight Audi and Mercedes with Six M3 Race Cars in the DTM BMW's Motorsport division announced today that it will enter six M3 race cars in the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) starting from the 2012 season. The Bavarian company will be represented in the highly competitive championship by three teams, each entering two cars. The chosen teams are long-term partners BMW Team Schnitzer and BMW Team RBM, plus the newcomer Reinhold Motorsport GmbH. Development of the M3 DTM car has been running at full speed in Munich for the past few months, with the first track tests are scheduled to begin this month. “The concepts presented by BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH ultimately convinced us. This is an excellent team line-up for BMW. For us, it is important that all three teams have absolute equal rights. We are looking forward to cooperating over the coming years – and hope to enjoy great success together,” said BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen. No announcement has been made regarding the BMW driving line-up for the DTM. Of the three teams, only Schnitzer was part of BMW's DTM participation in the 80's and early 90's, winning the 1989 title. BMW was officially involved in the DTM between 1987 and 1992, winning two titles with the M3 E30 in 1987 and 1989, with drivers Eric van de Poele and Roberto Ravaglia respectively. Before that, private team Gubin won the inaugural 1984 DTM season with Volker Strycek behind the wheel of a 635CSi. Source: BMW to Fight Audi and Mercedes with Six M3 Race Cars in the German Touring Car Championship - Carscoop Can't wait! :t-drive: :t-cheers:
