DTM Considering A1 GP Link-Up

The organisers of the DTM are considering a tie-up with the A1 Grand Prix series that could lead to double-header events when the V8 touring cars venture outside Germany, this week's Autosport exclusively revealed

By:

Charles Bradley

Oct 13, 2005, 12:27 PM

The DTM has struggled to attract race day attendances in many of its events outside of Germany and has been forced to drop planned street races in Avignon, France and Moscow, because of political problems.

DTM bosses monitored the success of A1 Grand Prix's opening event at Brands Hatch, and are looking at a potential collaboration in the future.

A1 GP's general manager Stephen Watson said: "We had a chat about it at Brands Hatch, which they were attending as guests - it's a conceptual idea.

"It would be very interesting to see because the DTM is high profile and the cars are awesome, which fits in with the philosophy of A1 GP. We are certainly looking for strong support bills and a high-profile saloon car championship in particular."

Any collaboration would encounter a hurdle in terms of headline status and pit garage allocation. The DTM also has rigid TV slots in Germany, which would conflict with A1 GP's schedule.