The return of BMW to the DTM from 2012 is reality: This was confirmed by the company during the DTM race weekend at the Hockenheimring. In April this year BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the first time since its departure from the series in 1994. The Board of Management of BMW AG considers conditions tied to a positive decision to return to the popular touring car series have now been met.
In recent months BMW has been working with the DTM umbrella organisation ITR e।V. and the other manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalisation of the championship. The positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning its DTM comeback in greater detail.
Bild-Zeitung newspaper reports that BMW will officially announce its return to the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) in 2012. The BMW DTM race car will be based on the current M3. Mario Theissen told Bild back in September: "On paper, we've started designing a car meeting 2012's DTM regulation already." The paper goes on to claim that BMW's budget for the 2012 DTM series will be less than one-tenth of its last Formula 1 budget, which was 200 million euros. BMW denied to comment the report, so there's no choice but to wait for the offical announcement this Friday
Well it has been a LONG hiatus for BMW from the DTM series, in fact they havent raced since 1992. Many of us remember the fun times watching the hectic DTM series and BMWs have been very competitive in the series in the past. Luckily, in the wake of BMWs pull out from F1 whispers were flying around that BMW would turn its attention to the DTM series and now it seems to have come true.
What are BMWs plans? Well they are working with the governing ITR body to make sure their car is not only ready to go for the 2012 season but is a competitive car at that time.
For now, BMW stays commited with its cars in both the WTCC and GT racing with their M3 GT2 and Z4 GT3. Long term, the WTCC seems shaky and the attention would certainly be on DTM over WTCC
Motorsport will continue to play a leading role at BMW, with plans now being implemented for an extensive programme. BMW will significantly expand its activities in the field of production car racing over the coming years: last week the executive board of BMW AG came to a positive policy decision regarding the company’s involvement in the restructured German Touring Car Masters (DTM) from 2012. For this to happen, certain basic requirements must be met. The governing body, the ITR, is currently working on these prerequisites. In anticipation of a positive outcome, BMW Motorsport is making appropriate preparations on the technical side. The final decision is expected during the year.
The appearance of the BMW M3 GT2 at endurance races forms another important pillar in the future programme. As is the case this season, in 2011 BMW will contest a variety of races with this car.
Dr. Klaus Draeger, the BMW AG board member responsible for development, says: “Following the withdrawal from Formula One, the realignment of our motorsport programme is raising our presence in production car racing to a whole new level. BMW sports and touring
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