RE: PH Blog: Hockenheim and the DTM

RE: PH Blog: Hockenheim and the DTM

Monday 30th April 2012

PH Blog: Hockenheim and the DTM

It was great in the 80s, and spectacular in the 90s. Riggers finds out if new rules can help to rekindle DTM's glory days



There are many of you out there who will rightly point out that, for the past few years, DTM has not been the most exciting of motorsport spectacles. But the sport itself knows this, and has been trying to bring more action into the mix.

In that respect, this year is the big one – the cars are all-new, the aero has been restricted, and BMW is back after a 20-year absence, bringing the German ‘Big Three’ into direct competition once again.

We’re here to see if the tweaks to the DTM recipe have worked. We’re certainly not the only ones intrigued by the new season – last week 72,000 fans turned out in a sodden central Wiesbaden for the official launch of the car. So keep checking back here over the weekend and we’ll be updating you on just how interesting the self-proclaimed most sophisticated tin-top series in the world has become.

Riggers


Sunday: Hockenheim paddock
1500h

Gary Paffett leads Jamie Green
Gary Paffett leads Jamie Green
Well folks, that's it. The first race of the new DTM, done. And no, it's not the sort of white-knuckle, crash-bang-wallop racing you get in the BTCC. But as a spectacle, the close racing and fantastically well-engineered, run and funded cars make it a fascinating thing to watch.

There's also the not insignificant fact that we've just witnessed a Brit one-two (Gary Paffett beating Jamie Green to the top step of the podium after a proper close battle), with Andy Priaulx the leading BMW in sixth.

Add that to David Coulthard finishing eighth and that's four Brits in the top eight places. Which makes the DTM almost a local championship, and should give you something to cheer about if you pop along to Brands Hatch, where the series heads on 20th May.


Sunday: Hockenheim paddock
1300h


Just enjoyed lunch in the Audi Team hospitality suite (thank you Audi, with your food you've definitely earned at least one supporter on PH - not that we're that easily bought).

But the coolest bit about lunch? Definitely sitting on a table next to 1982 F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg. Your PH correspondent was too shy chat to the man himself, whose driver Edoardo Mortara sits 4th on the grid for this afternoon's race. We did take this photo of the back of his head as a souvenir, however.

Just off to watch Herr Schumacher (M) demonstrating his Mercedes F1 car before the main event. Suppose this will be one outing where he finishes in front of his teammate...

...although given the crowds (below), we might not get there in time.



1400h


BMW is back in the DTM, as this enormous T shirt reminds us...


Saturday: Hockenheim paddock
1100h


DTM meets Victorian seaside panto in this 'attraction' at the entrance to the DTM paddock. I know I look damn silly, but I just couldn't resist...

Daftness aside, initial impressions are that there are a lot of people here - it's getting on for British GP busy. Must go now, got some racing to watch...

1230h


There's a lot of very careful diplomacy between series organisers ITR and the three manufacturers involved in the DTM. See exhibit A. To wit: M5, CLS 63 and S4 Avant parked conspicuously next to each other outside the Hockenheim media centre. Nice touch...

1315h


For a sense of just how big a deal the series is, just take a look at the serried ranks of transporter lorries (all immaculately clean) and plush hospitality suites (on the left). All very F1. Oh, and there's quite a few people here too, as you can see, though it's only qualifying today...

1350h


Some on-track action at last. And, to be honest, my initial reaction is mild disappointment - these are clearly impressive machines, but the look and sound more like sports prototypes than thundering V8 saloons.

The way the cars' suspensions are upset by the kerbs at the first corner is very promising, however, so the jury's still officially out on the entertainment factor.

1500h


After a super-close qualifying session, the top three places are, unbelievably, filled by an Audi (Ekstrom), a Mercedes (Jamie Green) and a BMW (Dirk Werner). The series organisers couldn't have dreamed of that sort of result when they took the above image in Munich earlier this week...

1650h


It's not just touring cars, of course. There are plenty of supporting races, including the Porsche Carrera Cup, though sadly this particular example didn't do any racing today...

Author
Discussion

Tuscan_No27

Original Poster:

96 posts

244 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Personally I thought DTM has always been an interesting race series - just disappointed that it was dropped by Motors TV and went to ESPN. Sorry I'm not paying for a channel to watch one race series.

A9XXC

621 posts

148 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Tuscan_No27 said:
Personally I thought DTM has always been an interesting race series - just disappointed that it was dropped by Motors TV and went to ESPN. Sorry I'm not paying for a channel to watch one race series.
+1

I loved all the bits of carbon flying in all directions at every corner

Ferb

3,112 posts

209 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Is there any live streaming for this or replays?

Sprint Rich

118 posts

180 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Ferb said:
Is there any live streaming for this or replays?
Im sure its free to watch on the DTM site, if you can speak ze German

k3ybo

107 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
I'll be there with a load of other expat brits!

Sure it'll be a good day, hopefully a return to classic DTM action (although I appreciate that is asking alot).

Will keep an eye out for the PH massive...

melvster

6,841 posts

184 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Ferb said:
Is there any live streaming for this or replays?
Justin.TV is a good streaming website.

DemonDriverDan

86 posts

149 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Can't wait for it at Brands Hatch in May!

VTECMatt

1,168 posts

237 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Looking forward to Brands DTM, I'm racing that day biggrin although won't be lapping any where near as fast as there cars, be good to see the DTM again, missed last years.

Moley RUFC

3,609 posts

188 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Anyone find a list of the qualifying results?

blueedge

360 posts

196 months

Saturday 28th April 2012
quotequote all
Moley RUFC said:
Anyone find a list of the qualifying results?
www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99213

Moley RUFC

3,609 posts

188 months

Sunday 29th April 2012
quotequote all
blueedge said:
Nice one, good to see DC just about out qualified the girls...

ArnageWRC

2,050 posts

158 months

Sunday 29th April 2012
quotequote all
VTECMatt said:
Looking forward to Brands DTM, I'm racing that day biggrin although won't be lapping any where near as fast as there cars, be good to see the DTM again, missed last years.
A pity they're on the Indy circuit, a waste really. The GP circuit would really let them stretch their legs, it's like holding an F1 GP on a go cart track.
ESPN have pulled their usual trick of showing it 5, 6 hours later, as Live. If they can't show it live, let somebody else have the rights.

Polariz

867 posts

154 months

Sunday 29th April 2012
quotequote all
I missed it! Any idea on where I can watch the race on a re-run on the web? Thanks!

Animal

5,246 posts

267 months

Sunday 29th April 2012
quotequote all
ArnageWRC said:
A pity they're on the Indy circuit, a waste really. The GP circuit would really let them stretch their legs, it's like holding an F1 GP on a go cart track.
True, but a great day's racing for not much money (£25 or something). Free parking and kid's tickets make it even more appealing. Shame I'm on hols this year otherwise I'd be there like a shot!

_g_

741 posts

200 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
For spectating I prefer the Indy circuit - never been a fan of spectating on circuits where you get to see them for 10 seconds as they come in to view pass then are round the next corner. While even without grandstands, there's lots of places you can see a good proportion of the action at Brands at Indy.
If I'm actually racing, certainly prefer somewhere like Cadwell park however.

gareth_r

5,712 posts

236 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Half hour highlights programme ITV4 10:30 Saturday May 5th.

IainW

1,631 posts

174 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
_g_ said:
For spectating I prefer the Indy circuit - never been a fan of spectating on circuits where you get to see them for 10 seconds as they come in to view pass then are round the next corner. While even without grandstands, there's lots of places you can see a good proportion of the action at Brands at Indy.
Yes, but nothing happens as it's too difficult to overtake. The Champ Cars in 2003 on the Indy circuit remain one of the most boring few hours of my life.

I can agree with the blog about the trucks and hospitality units. That's what stunned me when I saw it at Donington in 2002. The sheer size of the units and the whole show really was impressive.

_g_

741 posts

200 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Ah, to be fair my racing and the vast majority of my spectating is with motorbikes where there's still plenty of overtaking opportunities.

On that, I still don't know how cars manage around narrow circuits like Cadwell - with another rider a similar pace it's pretty Hard to overtake when we're talking maybe 50cm width!

Ferb

3,112 posts

209 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
DemonDriverDan said:
Can't wait for it at Brands Hatch in May!
I'll be there in the ute biggrin

Monsterlime

1,205 posts

165 months

Monday 30th April 2012
quotequote all
Tuscan_No27 said:
Personally I thought DTM has always been an interesting race series - just disappointed that it was dropped by Motors TV and went to ESPN. Sorry I'm not paying for a channel to watch one race series.
I recorded the footage on ESPN, watching it at the moment. I already knew the result, but still wanted to see the race. The commentary team on ESPN is AWFUL. I'm pretty close to turning it off just because I can't stand them, I think I'd rather it in German!

First few laps were pretty exciting, it has gotten a bit tame now though.

Stunned that Farfus had to just drive through the pits because his team wasn't ready for him, he must have been fuming.

Edit - Oh, and ad breaks in the racing is very very annoying.

Edited by Monsterlime on Monday 30th April 20:45