Opel back in '04 DTM ?

[Kurt Maxwell]

For the third year in a row the "Opel is leaving DTM" rumors have circulated.

Are they confirmed as coming back?

The idea that four door cars are now required is a good one,IMO.

I know they are tube frame cars and that different body panels shouldn't matter,but seeing C Class Mercedes, Audi A4s and Opel Vectras makes the DTM seem like proper touring cars again.

With a new AMG V8 C Class and a V8 RS4 being sold there will be a connection for the marketing guys between the DTM and what M-B and Audi sell in the showroom.

[kmchow]

So for '04, we could see the possibility of DTM and ETCC Vectras?? A la Alfa 155 of years gone by when they raced them in both the DTM and ST.

[touringlegend]

ETCC Vectras ? I think Opel would compete in one or the other, not both.

[racer69]

Is it mandatory that 4-door cars must be used in the DTM, or have they just opened the rules up to allow for them.

[FIRE]

I do not expect a DTM and ETCC project. Opel is not very healthy, they have a lott losses.

Did somebody hear something about Toyota and DTM?

[Craig]

I think Blair is probably referring to the rumoured switch to Vectras in the UK (which will likely be built to ETCC spec.)

[steve nielsen]

Originally posted by Craig Antill
I think Blair is probably referring to the rumoured switch to Vectras in the UK (which will likely be built to ETCC spec.)

if they enter Vectra's in the BTCC they can easely enter them in the ETCC as well.

[flor]

by the way one season with 6 dtm cars costs less than a season with 3 super touring cars did

[E46]

Originally posted by flor
by the way one season with 6 dtm cars costs less than a season with 3 super touring cars did

Is it true?? How can be possible??

[flor]

well its because the series was planed to be cost saving from the scratch, for example one car needs just one engine per season, the carbon brakes can be used a lot longer than steel brakes, every car has the same gearbox and so on

[E46]

Sorry, but I don´t agree. Mainly because DTM cars are more expensive, those cars have more technology than ETCC cars. A Mercedes CLK from DTM is in a step on BMW 320 from ETCC.

[kristof14]

He's talking about the super tourers of the late 90's not the current ETCC cars! The DTM cars rely on parts lasting a very long time whereas the super tourers were more like F1 cars where all consumable parts were replaced for each meeting!

[kmchow]

In the Rickard Rydell thread, even Alain Menu is referring to the return of 4 doors in the DTM. So 4 doors is basically a guranteed thing? Unless Opel does really pull out of the DTM. But would they??? OTOH, were they the first to pull out at the end of the '96 DTM season?

[Hobson]

Would Opel have to use the Vectra in DTM? What about their Omega (coming to the end of its life) or even their Signum (not sure about the shape with next years rules in mind).

I've always seen the DTM as a 'class of car' up from ETCC/BTCC (eg, Family saloon for E/BTCC and executive cars for DTM).

[flor]

Originally posted by kmchow
OTOH, were they the first to pull out at the end of the '96 DTM season?

opel and alfa pulled out together in the same night

[kmchow]

Originally posted by Hobson
Would Opel have to use the Vectra in DTM? What about their Omega (coming to the end of its life) or even their Signum (not sure about the shape with next years rules in mind).

I've always seen the DTM as a 'class of car' up from ETCC/BTCC (eg, Family saloon for E/BTCC and executive cars for DTM).

Is the Signum available in the traditional 4 dr saloon bodystle? I see a picture of it in 5dr hatchback form? The Signum shares the same Sigma platform as the Cadillac CTS we have in NA. Perhaps Opel/GM could build a basic race Sigma chassis and use it in the DTM in Europe and Speed World Challenge? GM is supposedly racing the Cadillac CTS in '04 WCGT class. I guess GM wants to see how they stack up against BMW/Audi!

[kmchow]

Now that Opel has made it official they will race the Vectra in the '04 DTM, I guess Opel will be returning! Now I wonder if there will be a S2000 Vectra? Interesting... I can't wait to see a DTM C-Class, it's been a very long time! Ditto for a DTM Audi? It's been a little over a decade since an Audi sedan raced in the DTM!

[FIRE]

Opel hasn't sign a new contract with their head of development, Wiet Huidekoper. The Dutchman was only 1 year in charge of the DTM development project.

[flor]

i heard something about the new c-class street model getting a more clk-like front, anyone know if this is true?

[GTsports]

Flor- you are correct. The C55 AMG will have a CLK front when it comes out next spring. This car will have a V8 instead of the supercharged motor in the current AMG C Class.

The only reason I know this is that my little brother has just ordered one. He has a 2000 CLK 430 which he bought when he saw the DTM car and I guess he just wants to stay current with what is running on the track in '04. The funny part is that he is not an avid motorsports fan, but does keep tabs on the DTM because of Daimlers involvement.

Maybe he can give the old car, with all of 25k miles, to his poor older brother!