DTM Press Release In the run-up to its 2013 season finale, held this Sunday (20th October) at 14:00hrs at the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, DTM already looks ahead to the 2014 season.
The most popular international touring-car series is going to return to China and Hungary, next year. DTM raced at the Hungaroring in 1988 and now it will make its second appearance at Hungary’s Formula 1 circuit, located not far from Budapest. While China was the venue of DTM races in 2004 and 2010 and consequently will stage its third DTM event, in 2014.
The total number of DTM races on the calendar will remain the same, in 2014. The search for the successor of the new DTM Champion, Mike Rockenfeller (Audi), will last have 10 races to secure the title and as usual, six of these ten rounds will be held in Germany. “DTM most definitely has got its roots in Germany. Therefore, we won’t touch the number of German rounds on the calendar,” said Hans Werner Aufrecht, Chairman. of DTM rights holder and promoter ITR e.V.
So, the DTM calendar once again comprises four abroad races, next year. In addition to the two appearances at Budapest (1st June) and China (28th September), DTM will race for the second time at the Moscow Raceway (13th July) and on 3rd August, Austria’s Red Bull Ring will be the venue of a DTM race. No longer on the DTM calendar are Brands Hatch and Zandvoort. “We witnessed great races at these circuits and have to say thank you for the good cooperation. In 2014, however, we want turn towards other interesting markets,” Aufrecht explained.
The first stop on the DTM calendar traditionally is the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, with the season being kicked off on 4th May. Two weeks later, on 18th May, the etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben will stage the second round of the season. The spectacular street race at Nuremberg’s Norisring will be held on 29th June and on 10th August, DTM will make its appearance at the Nürburgring. In autumn, the Lausitzring will be the venue of round eight of the season that has been scheduled for 14th September. And following the round in China, DTM will return to Hockenheim for the season finale on 19th October.
“We are looking forward to returning to Hungary, 26 years after our first race at the Hungaroring,” said Hans Werner Aufrecht. “The Formula one circuit meets the highest standards and Eastern Europe also has got a lot of DTM enthusiasm. In addition, our three manufacturers, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, have got plants not far from the circuit.” The two races held on 18th September 1988 were won by Venezuela’s former Motorbike World Champion and Formula 1 ace Johnny Cecotto (BMW).
DTM’s return to China was announced as early as in summer, during the course of the Norisring weekend. “The Chinese car market is one of the fastest growing markets of the world and therefore, it has got major significance for our manufacturers. Furthermore, we can feel the extraordinary commitment and the passion of our Chinese partners for this project and therefore, we feel well cared for, there,” underlined the ITR e.V. Chairman. The first two Chinese races, the invitational in 2004 and the 2010 season finale, both were held in Shanghai and both races were won by Briton Gary Paffett for Mercedes-Benz. The decision if DTM will once again race in Shanghai or at Guandong - also known as Canton - in 2014, has not yet been made.
The 2014 DTM calendar at a glance*4th May Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
18th May etropolis Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)
1st June Hungaroring Budapest (UNG) **
29th June Norisring (D)
13th July Moscow Raceway (RUS)
3rd August Red Bull Ring Spielberg (A)
10th August Nürburgring (D) ***
14th September Lausitzring (D) **
28th September China (CHN) – TBA
19th October Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
* Subject to approval by FIA
** Subject to promoter agreements
*** Date to be confirmed
Photo credit: Audi Media
