DTM manufacturers agree to scrap performance weight immediately
DTM manufacturers have agreed to scrap the series' performance weights system, a decision that will come into effect immediately
The agreement follows lengthy discussions between manufacturers Audi, BMW and Mercedes and the series' promoter ITR.
It means the final two rounds of the the 2017 DTM season at the Red Bull Ring and Hockenheim will take place without the performance-balancing measure.
Gerhard Berger, who became the series' new boss back in March, had placed the abolition of ballast high on the agenda from the early days of his tenure.
A push to scrap the system ahead of the most recent round at Zandvoort proved unsuccessful due to a veto from Audi but consensus has now been reached between the parties involved.
The the decision still needs to be ratified by the German motor racing federation DMSB, but Berger said: "We will be handing in a concept at the DMSB shortly.
"With them already being committed to supporting an unanimous request by all manufacturers, I expect the decision to go through.
"Everybody involved listened to the fans and I'm happy that the manufacturers decided to go for what is good for the sport.
"This is a strong signal for DTM."
DMSB president Hans-Joachim Stuck has already stated he is confident the DTM commission will ratify the proposal ahead of the Spielberg race weekend.
As part of the proposal, the three manufacturers have agreed to rewrite the 2018 DTM regulations to include standardised geometry for selected aerodynamic parts on the cars.
"I'm happy that the discussion about performance weights finally came to an end", said Audi motorsport boss Dieter Gass.
"Now we can concentrate on the sporting side again.
"There are still four races to go and it will stay close right till the end."
BMW motorsports boss Jens Marquardt hailed the decision as a "good day for DTM", adding: "Everybody is a winner today.
"We finally found a solution on which we want to build on in the next couple of months.
"We want to make DTM fit for the future."
Ulrich Fritz, whose Mercedes outfit will depart the championship at the end of 2018, said: "Most of all, we're happy that we're finally done with talking about the weights.
"This is what fans and drivers alike wanted us to do.
"I'm sure it will be an exciting title race."
Audi's Mattias Ekstrom leads Mercedes driver Lucas Auer by nine points, with Rene Rast (Audi) three points further back in third.
Reigning champion Marco Wittmann is BMW's highest representative in fourth, 21 points from the lead.
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