ITR Chairman Gerhard Berger has hailed this weekend's upcoming 'Dream Race' a "landmark achievement" for the DTM Series, which will travel to Japan for the first ever joint-race with the Super GT series.
The venture will be held at Japan's famous Fuji Speedway, with two 55-minute-plus-one-lap races; one each on Saturday and Sunday. A total of 22 cars will form the grid, with DTM entering a total of seven cars; four from Audi and three from BMW, alongside 15 from Japanese manufacturers Lexus, Honda and Nissan.
In contrast to the DTM, both runs of the Dream Race will use a rolling start. This is how races are typically started in Super GT, using a two-by-two formation. There will be control tyres, no DRS and no push-to-pass available.
Speaking about the historic moment, Berger said: "This weekend’s joint-event between DTM and SUPER GT is a landmark achievement. It has been a long-held ambition to jointly host a race together – and it has been many years’ work to realise it.
"The DTM’s two German brands Audi and BMW will bring to Japan some of their greatest champions – two- time winners ReneÌ Rast and Marco Wittmann, as well as Mike Rockenfeller; and racers Loïc Duval and BenoiÌ‚t TreÌluyer, who each achieved success in Japan during their long and successful careers.
"In addition, local hero Kamui Kobayashi, and the legendary Alex Zanardi, whose achievements need no introduction, will race for the honour of the German marques.
"As we write a new chapter in the history of both our series this weekend, I hope we have a safe and successful event, and that everyone enjoys the spectacle, the fun and the thrill that comes from combining our two series together on the racetrack."
