DTC 2009 thread News, rumours, stories..

[Aslak Vind]

Hi guys,

considering that we have several international drivers in the DTC, I thought that I would lanch a DTC 2009 thread

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2890

The DTC 2009 calendar has just been launched, in a draft version.

[Speed-King]

It is expected that several DTC teams will race in various WTCC races

So they'll stay with the S2000 rules for the time being??

[Aslak Vind]

Everything is in play right now, but the wind in the trees talks about S2000 regs in the next two years.

I am told, that the teams voted against the plan of silhouettecars for now. But the promoter will continue the work, on finding a package that will suit the teams. There have been simulations based on the new P+M car, and it was several seconds faster around the track.

The main obstacle, seems to be that the importers and manufacturers needs to see, how they can raise the sales of their products, through a one size fits all silhouettecar. So nothing has been signed, but the 2011 plan is still in the works.

I will keep you updated here and on TcT

[stedevil]

"The main focus of the Danish promoter has been to make it possible for Danish teams to participate in the WTCC."

Smart move. More cars participating in WTCC is good both for WTCC (larger grids and potentially more brands) as well as for DTC talent (both drivers and teams) to show how well they compete with the "big guys". Of course, it's all down the drain if DTC drops the S2000 format.

[werner]

What tires are the Danisch drivers on? And will TcT get a dedicated DTC-section?

[Aslak Vind]

Tires:
9 inch Dunlop 235/610x17

Slick:
compound 823
construction C68D

Wet:
compound 497
construction A46D CR9000

Regarding TcT:
To have a dedicated section on TcT, it is important to have content. Now I have joined, and we are looking for more people to work for us - please see the site for more info.

I would love to have a dedicated section, but it is all up to Johan and Rob, who is running the site

[werner]

Ok, good luck anyway. I'll watch that space!

[app]

The DTC organisation and teams had a meeting at Sturup earlier this year.
Only Hartmann (Honda) and Chevy was against the silhouette concept, the rest of the teams was skeptical about some of the things but still positive

The idea is that 10 teams signs a 2 year contract to run 2 cars each (like in F1). Each team owns 10% of the organisation, and gets there share of the profit
All spare parts will be sold centrally from DTC, which means much lower prices since the organisation can buy larger amounts of everything, and the profit goes back to the teams

Unfortunantly (IMO) its delayed because of the lack of interest from some teams

[Speed-King]

You seem to have a good deal of knowledge about the proposed silhouette-rules, app. Do you know if there will be a) different silhouettes, rather than just one spec car and b) different engines?
A full spec-series would be rather unfortunate, I think, but with considerable freedome, I think it would be a great idea. Afterall it seems to work in Brazil(Stockcar) and Argentina (Top Race V6).

[app]

As for 2009, theres not much to say

Karsten Ree (former DBA owner, now DKK billionaire) confirmed at the last race that they will continue in DTC with Jan Mags.

Both Essex drivers (John Nielsen and Casper Elgaard) is rumored to return, but nothing officially yet.
John could be heading to Telesikring, since he already helped them during there debut season.

Kristian Poulsen confirmed earlier that he is working on a full time WTCC season next year with Michel Nykjær, but they split up after the season

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by app

The DTC organisation and teams had a meeting at Sturup earlier this year.
Only Hartmann (Honda) and Chevy was against the silhouette concept, the rest of the teams was skeptical about some of the things but still positive

The idea is that 10 teams signs a 2 year contract to run 2 cars each (like in F1). Each team owns 10% of the organisation, and gets there share of the profit
All spare parts will be sold centrally from DTC, which means much lower prices since the organisation can buy larger amounts of everything, and the profit goes back to the teams

Unfortunantly (IMO) its delayed because of the lack of interest from some teams

Only 20 cars...and that for a series which wants to be cheaper

[Bramzel]

There's no such thing as good silhouettes. I surely hope DTC sticks to real cars.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

There's no such thing as good silhouettes. I surely hope DTC sticks to real cars.

Oh yes, there is. Watch and learn!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ2V41TVeZ4

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Oh yes, there is. Watch and learn!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ2V41TVeZ4

Nice racing, but racing to me is not just the action on the track. Its also the cars that are providing the action, and those cars don't do anything to me.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

You seem to have a good deal of knowledge about the proposed silhouette-rules, app. Do you know if there will be a) different silhouettes, rather than just one spec car and b) different engines?
A full spec-series would be rather unfortunate, I think, but with considerable freedome, I think it would be a great idea. Afterall it seems to work in Brazil(Stockcar) and Argentina (Top Race V6).

As of now, the proposed regs talks about a full spec car, after P+M design.

[Aslak Vind]

The DTC series calendar should be safe, also on the Swedish Sturup raceway track.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2949

[PTM]

Nice piece of investigative journalism there, Aslak. Could have used more of that this past season...

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by PTM

Nice piece of investigative journalism there, Aslak. Could have used more of that this past season...

Thank you Bo, deeply appreciated!

I will do my best to keep it up in 09, nice to know that it is read and enjoyed

[Aslak Vind]

Robert Schlünssen´s team closes its doors in the DTC:

http://touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2988

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Aslak Vind

Robert Schlünssen´s team closes its doors in the DTC:

http://touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2988

So what number of cars can we expect on the DTC-grid next year?

[Aslak Vind]

Huhaaaa...

Well, we are already three cars down: 2 ARTS and 1 Team Køge. Furthermore there are several cars, which I doubt will turn up, the Team Go Racing will probably not.

I think the field will shrink somewhat.

[Aslak Vind]

Chevrolet Motorsport Denmark must keep their 2007 cars in 2009:

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2990

[stedevil]

Correct link
http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=2992

[werner]

Good to see them stay onboard anyway. And with a good lead driver! Isn't it time for Nykear to go to the WTCC some day?

[stedevil]

My guess is, it's really down to lack of funding. I easily see 5 STCC drivers fully capable of fighting for points in WTCC with a proper drive, and I dont think DTC would have much fewer than that either. But just look at the only Scandinavian driver in WTCC, Rydell, 2nd SEAT in 2006, didnt even get a drive in 2007. Available sponsorship for 2009 doesnt exactly seem to improve either, for understandable reasons.