THIS weekend a decade of talks between
The unprecedented crossover event will see one of the world's most renowned GT racing series, comprising manufacturers such as
Agreement on unifying technical regulations to allow cars to interchange between series was finally reached last year and, after a few cars from the Japanese series made the trip to Hockenheim for last month's DTM finale, the German series is sending four Audi RS5s and three BMW M4s to Fuji for the first dedicated combined contest.
Following the decision of Mercedes to withdraw from DTM at the end of 2018, appetite grew for the series to proceed with this agreement, although Aston Martin did replace the German giants for the 2019 season.
Unified "Class One" regulations, as they are known, were implemented this year but required more changes from the DTM cars which upgraded V8 engines for the two-litre, fourcylinder turbo engines used in Super GT, increasing its output to 620bhp and top speeds to more than 180pmh.
Other aerodynamic changes have been made to bring the DTM in line with Super GT.
The move is aimed at allowing manufacturers from both series to participate in the other without the need for creating another car from scratch.
A joint statement said "safety, cost reduction and equal opportunities" were at the centre of the regulation tie-up. For those involved it is a lowcost and effective opportunity to gain additional exposure in
It should also benefit DTM manufacturers Audi (left) and
As well as the seven DTM cars, all 15 teams from the Super GT will participate in this weekend's doubleheader, which will see a 55-minute plus one lap race take place on both Saturday and Sunday in the DTM format.
Two-time DTM champion
However, 2018 Super GT winner and ex-
Regardless of whether this weekend is an instant success for the merger, the series look increasingly destined to be intertwined over the coming years.
(c) 2019 City A.M., source