Joint DTM/Super GT Races Planned for 2017, 2018

Photo: Audi

Cars from DTM and Super GT will combine for joint races beginning in 2017, as part of the newly agreed common regulations between the two championships.

A steering committee meeting between the German and Japanese-based series, as well as IMSA, last weekend, confirmed the new engine configurations, as well as the proposed aerodynamic specifications that will go into effect beginning in 2017.

The regulations, known as “Class One”, will see all cars powered by new four-cylinder turbocharged engines producing around 600 horsepower. The cars will resemble current DTM and Super GT500 machinery.

A standalone DTM/Super GT race is slated to take place in late 2017 in Japan, with an additional round scheduled for Germany in early 2018.

All six current manufacturers: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan and Lexus, have agreed upon the new concept.

“We struck agreements in many areas,” said ITR Chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht. “And made a major step to realizing our joint goal.

“I’m looking forward to the day when the ‘Class One’ vehicles from different continents will compete with one another for the first time.”

No further information has been given regarding the timeline for the launch of the proposed U.S.-based championship, which IMSA has continued to play a key part on.

“I believe that the agreement will mutually further the development of us, Super GT, DTM and IMSA on and from 2017,” said GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh

“Since we started to advance concrete discussions on Final Race Event, I am very excited that we are moving a step closer to one of our major reasons to establish the cooperative relations with DTM and IMSA.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John