Brands Hatch date for DTM series

[AndrewM]

From BBC website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/4541840.stm):

The German Touring Car Championship (DTM) is to return to Britain in 2006 after a two-year absence.

The DTM has avoided Britain since 2003, when small crowds scuppered Donington Park's round of the series.

But Brands Hatch in Kent will host its return on 2 July, giving UK fans a chance to see Britain's defending champion Gary Paffett in action.

The DTM also features former F1 title holder Mika Hakkinen, who has agreed to stay on at Mercedes for next season.

Ex-Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer, whose MotorSport Vision company runs Brands Hatch, said: "There is no doubt it will be one the biggest events of our year."

The return of the DTM represents a anther coup for Palmer and Brands Hatch, which recently hosted the inaugural A1 Grand Prix race to great acclaim.

The circuit has poached Britain's World Touring Car Championship race from Silverstone. It takes place on May 21.

Good news for Brands :thumbs2:

[GT]

Something for us to go along and see me thinks ;)

[Tony]

Wasn't the 2006 DTM in doubt due to lack of manufacturers supporting the series?

[GT]

They should be alright for numbers now, because the MG's are no longer competing and showing them all up :lol:

[Mat C]

Rob, the MG's wouldn't have stood a chance against the established runners from Merc', Audi and Opel. They would have been lapped half way through the race ! And what's this about small crouds in 2002 and 2003 ?! They were monsterous, the sort of crowd BTCC could only dream about ! Here's a shot from 2003 in Donningtons paddocks, have you ever seen BTCC crowds this big in the paddocks ?! One things for sure though, i'll be at the race next year ! :dancing:

[yellowtrophy]

I'll be there too.

I went to the DTM at Donington back in the early 90's, when they were racing 4WD Alfa 155s, Vauhall Calibras and Merc 190s. It was fantastic then, and I would definitely go again.

Just a shame they want to run it at Brands Hatch, instead of using a proper circuit like Donington.

Mat - what supported the DTM back in 02/03? it wasn't anything else that would have drawn the big crowds was it, so I've no idea why we get these comments about it being poorly supported. They even said on Motors TV that the British public stayed away, but it just wasn't true.

[Mat C]

No Paul it wasn't true ! Once again, the media just make it up as they go along. I've been to Donnington over 20 times and both of the DTM meets were by far the bussiest i've ever known Donny to be. In 2002 the main support was historic F1's such as the JPS Lotus and in 2003 it was Le Mans heritage racers such as the Nissan R92 as seen on GT4. Both years also featured GT racing and various other races. A fantastic day out and if i remember right it was only £15 ! They also had better facilities, eg more toilets and massive screens on the grass bank where we usualy sit for BTCC.

[Jerry Zedman]

Bring it on at Brands!!!!!!! Best circuit in the country. Easiest to get to.............for me anyway!!!!! :flag2:

I might see if i can make it. Will be good to see some of the 'Northern' contingent again :grouphug: :welcome1: :music049:

[DaveyHird]

no Gary Paffett though - hes left to test drive for Mclaren full time.

[Mat C]

Never mind, it's still the best tin top races you'll ever see !

[Madgasters]

I be there, would love to see some DTM racing live.:rotfl: