DTM and Super GT series’ promoters – Internationalen Tourenwagen Rennen (ITR) and GTA Co – have finally confirmed a date to hold a joint end-of-season race.
Following the conclusion of their respective 2019 campaigns, DTM’s three manufacturers will convene at Fuji Speedway in Japan over the November 23rd-24th weekend to compete against Super GT’s GT500 contingent.
With both categories either running Class One technical regulations or operating close to them, the race marks the first time a standalone event will take place to accommodate both categories.
Both categories have worked hard to come to an agreement over technical regulations since discussion began in earnest earlier this decade.
Whereas DTM exclusively uses Hankook tyres, Super GT enjoys the participation of four separate tyre manufacturers for the GT500 class; however for the purposes of the joint race, the GT500 entries will also use Hankook’s.
The Class One regulations will also see new aerodynamic and cooling packages, new underfloor, rear diffuser and a reduced protrusion from the front splitter. The rear wing width is increased and DRS will comprise of a single plane.
Although GT500 have being running variations of the engine package for some years, the new 600bhp turbocharged engine will be new to DTM in 2019. Rather than twin-exhaust outlets, the DTM will run exhausts from one side, toward the mid-section of the car.
Following its October conclusion at the Hockenheimring, Audi, BMW and R-Motorsport Aston Martin will be sending a group of twelve cars to Japan, while it is not clear at this stage how many GT500 entries will be present.
The event is to be hold two sprint-style races, involving driver changes, allowing the DTM manufacturers to be somewhat more flexible with their driver line-ups.
The race at Fuji will not strictly mark the first time the DTM and GT500 machines will compete together this year, however, as Honda, Lexus and Nissan will send a car each to enter this year’s DTM finale in October.
