[gerkebi]

Aaargghh! Why did they partner with the France family? Why not American Le Mans or even Indycars? Not a good fit in my opinion, they're shooting for instant ratings instead of long term potential and longevity. Nascar fans have NO interest in DTM, never will. There are no Grand Am fans.

American Le Mans would have been a perfect fit...the right fans and the right venues.
-Gerkebi


Autosport reports that the DTM is working on creating an American series for its new cars from 2013, in conjunction with NASCAR.

The plan is part of the internationalization project that has gathered pace this year following BMW's interest in returning to the DTM ranks.

The Munich-based marque confirmed its entry for 2012 today at Hockenheim and DTM promoter ITR also revealed details of plans to allow the cars to race in America and Asia in the future.

ITR boss Hans Werner Aufrecht told Autosport: "In America, we are working with the NASCAR organization. Beginning in 2013, we hope to have a championship with 12 races in the United States.

"They will be six with Grand-Am and six with NASCAR events, for a standalone championship in America. I believe this is very, very good for the future of motorsport in the United States."

Aufrecht confirmed that the planned races would be exclusively for next-generation DTM cars, rather than running as a class in another series in America.

 

[EvoGuy]

What an idiot! He's killing the DTM name by associating themselves with Nascar!
You're a 100% correct, ALMS would have been the right choice.

 

[calgary]

The DTM has a small number of entries right now...and they want to extend to the US?

The access to the DTM cars and drivers is similar to F1 - nothing like in Grand Am, where one can get close to the cars and drivers in the paddock area. -

I drove a couple of hours to see them at the Lausitzring - very disappointing.
But I was spoiled by IMSA and Grand Am with their fan-friendly access policy....

 

[EvoGuy]

I don't think there's any racing series that has more access than ALMS! State of the art machines available for everyone to touch and take pictures of from up close! I've been rubbing elbows with Theissen and Ulrich ( plus a ton of ex F1 drivers ) in the pits at both Sebring and Road Atlanta.
Nothing beats that!
A message to the head of DTM: take your NASCAR contract and wipe your ass with it!
Can anyone see MERCEDES, AUDI and BMW fans mingle with the NASCAR crowd? I don't, and I will not attend any of those races even if they'll give me free tickets!

 

[gerkebi]

In general, racing series in the US have great access to the participants. It's going to be a little culture shock for the DTM folks at first. But the ALMS guys from Europe seem to love the interaction with the fans.

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com - Inside American Le Mans series

 

[gerkebi]

Grand-Am president Tom Bledsoe says that the American series is looking forward to the creation of a new championship for DTM cars from 2013.

DTM promoter the ITR confirmed on Friday that discussions were taking place with NASCAR – which also owns Grand-Am – about creating a series in America for the next-generation DTM cars. That news followed BMW confirming its participation in the DTM for 2012, which Bledsoe says adds to the appeal of creating a championship in the U.S. to run alongside Grand-Am's endurance races.

"We are proud to forge these new relationships with the many manufacturers choosing to embrace the DTM vision, and we look forward to welcoming these exciting cars to the USA," he said. "With these announcements, we can begin planning with our media partners, racetracks and teams. The addition of a DTM-style sprint race will increase the attraction for our fans."

ITR boss Hans Werner Aufrecht, who revealed the American plans earlier this weekend at Hockenheim, reiterated his satisfaction with how the DTM's future is progressing.

"This is more good news," Aufrecht said. "Internationalization has been our goal, in order to ensure that cars to DTM regulations can be used in more countries all over the world. We have had very constructive talks with the Grand-Am organization and we are very excited with this new partnership." Racer.com