[DTM] Technical regulations for 2011 and beyond

[FIRE]

Two weeks ago Autosport Magazine reported about the new technical rules for DTM:

Green light for new DTM car
German tourers get set for the next generation, with BMW understood to be ready to do battle with Merc and Audi

The next-generation rules package for the DTM has been finalised and will be introduced for 2011, Autosport can reveal.
...
A target has been set for the manufacturers to have their own test cars to be up and running before the end of the year.
...
The Bavarian manufacturer joined Mercedes and Audi in setting up a technical working group last September to go through each area of the car in detail, and Autosport understands that all three manufacturers were heavily involved in shaping the rules. This focused on areas including chassis, aero, KERS, engine and powertrain.
...
With the regulations set, a 40 per cent windtunnel model will be produced so that a full study into the new car's aerodynamic package can take place. This will feature a generic body shape - for windtunnel aero work - that takes styling cues from all three manufacturers. However, this will not be used on any race cars, with entrants still permitted to use their own bodywork designs.

A final decision on the layout of the entire car will be taken towards the end of November, once the manufacturers have been able to study the first prototypes of the carbon chassis. This will be provided on behalf of the German motorsport authority (DMSB) and DTM promoter (ITR) by an outside supplier. The target for the manufacturers to have test cars available to them by the end of the year.

Following meetings between key players from the DTM and Japanese motorsport authorities over the 2009-10 winter, it is understood that a Japanese manufacturer could still join the process in the near future.
It is expected that teams will be able to buy the spec chassis for less than €50,000. The overall cost for the whole car is likely to be reduced by 40 per cent from current regulations, even though teams will still be allowed technical freedom in several areas, including suspension development.
...
While aero levels will be reduced, speeds should remain similar as the new cars will feature wider tyres on larger (18 inch) diameter wheels.

Source: Autosport


Earlier this year forum member Japanese Samurai posted this from Japanese Autosport magazine in the Super GT topic:

Originally Posted by Japanese Samurai

AUTOSPORT reported the 2011 DTM vehicle regulation plan that ITR proposed GTA.
The union carbon monocoque (and roll cage) and the union floor(with 20mm skid block) were proposed.
Wheelbases(2850mm) and front and rear overhang are united.
"Design line" is decided, and the shape of the base vehicle is obligated above the design line.
The below the design line (front and rear bumper, front and rear fender) is permitted to be developed.
Front spoiler and rear diffuser are united.
The engine displacement is uncertain though V8.
The engine use limitation of 1.5 per season has been decided.
51% cost reduction is scheduled compared with 2010 in 2014.

So we can conclude the cars will not be much different from the current cars. The only major change is that the cars will have more spec parts. How the aerodynamics parts will look is still unclear.

I have read somewere Mercedes want to change to 5L V8 engines.

[Valenok]

What about silhouettes? It will be GT-shaped, like japanese, or touring-shaped, like german?

[helgi]

Won't there be only a spec monocoque and using subframes teams will be able to build sedans or coupes? And how will those cars be equalized with Super GT machinery? Restrictors and tyre width?

[FIRE]

Mercedes will not enter a 2012 rules car in 2011.
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=4830

Gentleman agreement between the manufacturers?

[nickyf1]

They can't be Sillhouette's if they are talking VLN here... Whatever does happen, and if it does merge with Super GT and Grand-Am to create universal regs, I hope to see lots of different shapes of cars racing together

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

They can't be Sillhouette's if they are talking VLN here...

Unless VLN doesn't mind them running silhouettes. There's still an older DTM Astra running there, plus the former works efforts from Audi and Opel with silhouettes.

[Speed-King]

And then there's the German rapper Smudo, who from time to time enters a Bio diesel Renault Megane Trophy, but I don't think that one has ever run...

[Matt]

They need to axe all the aero off the rear fenders, and make the bodies out of something a bit more durable than carbon fibre.

[helgi]

In case a spec chassis is a real future for DTM, then I don't want to waste my time watching it.
Even with two manufacturers now there's some space for difference. Merc's suspension and Audi's aero (isn't R14 a some kind of prototype for R15?). They suit different tracks.
I really waited for some union between DTM and SGT.
And now they say it will be a full spec chassis. It'll be awful. Cheap Legends cup of some sort.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by helgi

In case a spec chassis is a real future for DTM, then I don't want to waste my time watching it.
Even with two manufacturers now there's some space for difference. Merc's suspension and Audi's aero (isn't R14 a some kind of prototype for R15?). They suit different tracks.
I really waited for some union between DTM and SGT.
And now they say it will be a full spec chassis. It'll be awful. Cheap Legends cup of some sort.

Since when does "spec series" = automatically mean it'll suck?

Give it a chance before you slag off about it, you may be surprised on how much you like it.

[helgi]

Unfortunately, I'm an engineer, and when I watch autosport event I'd like to see pilots + constructors battle. If DTM gets a spec chassis (I wonder what ugly cars they are going to have) then Superstars will became a way more sensible choice for me. DTM bosses had a chance to rebuild a some kind of International Group 5, but, as it seems, they didn't use it.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by helgi

Unfortunately, I'm an engineer, and when I watch autosport event I'd like to see pilots + constructors battle. If DTM gets a spec chassis (I wonder what ugly cars they are going to have) then Superstars will became a way more sensible choice for me. DTM bosses had a chance to rebuild a some kind of International Group 5, but, as it seems, they didn't use it.

What good is seeing drivers battle if all the cars are varying in strength? You can see it this year in F1, now that Schumi is in an inferior car, he's total ****. I'd rather see a bunch of identical cars with the drivers having to battle it out than some drivers not showing what they're truly capable of because they cant scrounge up enough money to get a seat in a top car.

[KA]

Originally Posted by Matt

What good is seeing drivers battle if all the cars are varying in strength? You can see it this year in F1, now that Schumi is in an inferior car, he's total ****. I'd rather see a bunch of identical cars with the drivers having to battle it out than some drivers not showing what they're truly capable of because they cant scrounge up enough money to get a seat in a top car.

...and there are already dozens of single-make spec series that provide exactly that

For some of us, part of the appeal is seeing manufacturers and teams take totally different approaches to winning within a basic set of rules- FWD v RWD, turbo v non-turbo etc

If I want to see how different drivers perform given exactly the same car I'll go and watch Porsche Supercup, Renault Clios or one of the spec single-seater classes- and often with saloon/touring car one-make series you might end up with incredibly close races, but you can also sometimes end up with cars that are incredibly dull to watch and driving standards that deteriorate into a total crashfest.....

Would you go to watch Le Mans if it was run for spec Porsche GT3 Cup cars?

[broadrun96]

But to dismiss pro drivers in semi or full-spec because you saw weekend racers wrecking their cars is not being a fan of the actual racing. You are confusing being a fan of a technical aspect, something that unfortunately has a bad habit of killing off entries as costs rise, with being a fan of the action on track. Sometimes rules have to be restricted to keep one team or manufacturer from out spending the field and buying their success. Sorry but that sucks in every sport, highest payroll should translate to some success but to say it should guarantee wins is stupid.

As for watching LM if it was GT3 Cup cars, how many people stopped watching when half the field was various Porsches and only they really had a shot at winning? It's about how the PROFESSIONAL drivers handle similar cars that can really shake out who the best is in a series.

I would like to see the team be able to contribute and modify things but if a spec monocoque, chassis is used without ANY exterior bodywork is involved to allow more teams a chance, how can that be a bad thing in the long run? If your choice is a 2 car dominated race or a lot more cars having a chance, and your choice is the 2 cars winning all the time, the series is doomed to failure. No sponsors will want to come in just to say well our cars came in 3rd or fourth. New teams may be happy with just finishing but sponsors want wins or at least runs up front.

[helgi]

Of course every decision has some advantages. Maybe it's good for show, but as for me, I don't watch NASCAR at all. I wouldn't mind if that new DTM is going to be a superstar, but in that case it becomes just 'one of that things'. Nothing special. Of course, it's ego, but I think so.