The ‘Dream Race’ becomes reality: DTM and SUPER GT announce details of joint races

Masaak iBandoh And Gerhard Berger

At a press conference at this weekend’s SUPER GT race at Fuji Speedway, Japan, ITR chairman Gerhard Berger and GTA chairman Masaaki Bandoh gave the first detailed look at the regulatory framework for both series’ unique race together in November this year.

Labeled the ‘SUPER GT x DTM Dream Race’, the event takes place at Fuji Speedway on November 22-24.

ITR chairman Gerhard Berger said:
“On behalf of the ITR and all the manufacturers represented in the DTM, I would like to thank Bandoh-san, the GTA, and the representatives of Fuji Speedway for their continued co-operation.

“Our co-operation works so well because we share the same values: genuine, exciting motorsport is always our top priority. And that’s what we want to offer our fans in both Europe and Asia.

“The ‘Dream Race’ in November marks another milestone in the partnership between GTA and ITR. In 2017, we hosted the first joint demo laps for SUPER GT and DTM cars at Hockenheim and Motegi. Last year, we introduced our common technical regulations. And this year, we will be racing together for the first time.

“We’ll get our first taste of that at the DTM season finale in Hockenheim, in October, when we welcome three guest starters from Honda, Nissan and Lexus. Then the ‘Dream Race’ in Fuji will be the grand finale of our 2019 motorsport calendar."

Manufacturers Aston Martin, Audi and BMW compete in the DTM. The SUPER GT Series features cars from Honda, Nissan and Lexus.

Super GT race at Fuji. Note the packed grandstands

Masaaki Bandoh, chairman of SUPER GT organisation GTA, said:
“GTA has been discussing the integration of the technical regulations with ITR since 2010. It’s been a long and bumpy road; but, with everybody’s efforts, we were able to conduct a demo run at Hockenheim in 2017 and make people aware of ‘CLASS 1’ and SUPER GT.

“Both GTA and ITR have been working steadily together to create the common technical regulations for ‘CLASS 1’. Having the common conviction that the same technical regulations could be established in Europe and Asia, we then developed detailed plans and held advanced discussions to establish regulations which help to unify, while also reducing costs.

“We are very pleased to be able to hold a race based on the ‘CLASS 1’ regulations in Japan and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chairman Berger and the manufacturers.

“We now wish to further develop our common technical regulations in order to gain the support and understanding of as many manufacturers as possible."

The most important facts about the “Dream Race" at a glance:

• Two races of equal length on Saturday and Sunday: races last 55 minutes plus one lap (plus a maximum of three additional laps if a Safety Car is deployed)
• One mandatory pit-stop per race, during which all four wheels must be changed
• Refuelling or driver changes are prohibited
• All participants race on Hankook’s 2019 “Ventus Race" DTM control tires
• DTM’s DRS (Drag Reduction System) and push-to-pass systems will not be used
• Support program includes a separate sprint race with the GT300 cars from the SUPER GT series

Fuji Circuit

The event’s 4.563-kilometer Fuji Speedway has always been an integral part of the SUPER GT racing calendar and, most recently, was the venue for the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2007 and 2008.

This weekend’s SUPER GT race at Fuji also saw the opening of ‘Dream Race’ ticket pre-sales in Japan. The event will be title-sponsored by AUTOBACS SEVEN, one of the largest chain of stores for automotive parts and accessories in Asia and France, and the title sponsor of the SUPER GT series for 22 years.

Two additional sponsors of the ‘Dream Race’ were also announced at today’s event: auction house BHJ and tire supplier Hankook.

The final number of cars competing in the ‘Dream Race’, as well as the drivers nominated by each manufacturer, will be announced at a later date.