Touring Car

DTM moves closer to racing return by annoucing June test

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
2 min read

The DTM will make its first moves towards resuming racing with a four-day test at the Nurburgring in June.

The German-based touring car series will also use the test to trial some of the measures it will take to ensure safety in the paddock when its delayed 2020 season begins.

It has yet to commit to a date for its first races of the year, but made clear initial events will be behind closed doors.

A statement from DTM organiser ITR said: “As Europe begins to show signs of emerging from the grip of the COVID-19 epidemic that gripped public life during the spring, ITR is preparing a schedule that will embrace the ‘new normal’ post-coronavirus environment.

“These preparations include the hosting of races without fans or media on-site.

“Starting at next month’s test, ITR will also implement infection-prevention measures for all personnel.

“This includes strict distancing procedures, limits on attendees, and hygiene rules. All participating team personnel will be checked for COVID-19 symptoms on a daily basis.”

The DTM season was originally due to begin at the end of April before the coronavirus pandemic hit. It initially announced a revised calendar with racing beginning on July 11-12 and running to mid-November, but Wednesday’s ITR statement made clear that a further “all-new, revised calendar” was still to come.

Next month’s Nurburgring running effectively replaces the official pre-season test that was called off earlier this year.

The DTM’s main support championship W Series has not yet given any indication of when it hopes to resume real-world racing, but it revealed on Wednesday that its new Esports League – featuring its full 2020 field – will run until mid-August.

Germany is currently in the process of easing its lockdown restrictions in everyday life, and its Bundesliga became the first major European football championship to resume activity when its season got back under way behind closed doors last weekend. Players had been allowed to return to training in mid-April.

Should the DTM begin racing within a month of its Nurburgring test, it would be on course to become the first European touring car series to get back under way.

TCR Italy announced earlier this week that it plans to race again from July 19, while the British Touring Car Championship is scheduled to start its delayed 2020 season on the first weekend of August.

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