Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

I like F1, but touring cars and GTs are far more my thing. Having been to the BTCC a few times over the years I'm used to noisy race engines. Nothing though can prepare you for the racket that a 500hp RWD V8 DTM car makes. Following the cancellation of our local VW show I had a free sunday that just happened to coincide with the UK round of the German Touring Cars at Brands Hatch. As luck would have it my VW chum Malcolm works for BMW who have returned to the DTM this year and was able to get a discounted ticket through work. So at silly AM this morning we were cruising round the M25 heading for the track. First port of call was the shop to pick up a paddock pass. Theres nothing like getting up close and personal with the cars and drivers.









With a few posters and autographs stashed away we headed over to the support paddock. Races for Euro F3, VW Cup and a few others were tucked up in various shelters. It also contained the DTM shop and promo area.













The DTM qualifying was on saturday, but the drivers got a warm up session in the morning. It was the first time to hear exactly how loud these cars are. Very doesn't really cover it. We watched from the fearsomely steep Paddock Hill Bend, before moving round to Druids.







The first race proper of the day was the Euro F3, I'm not that keen on slicks and wings races, they are very fast but also processional. The only man to make some decent passes was the pole sitter who got a drive through penalty for not lining up correctly at the start and dropped to the back before fighting up to a points finish.





Following a break for lunch and the drivers parade it was soon time for the start of the 98 lap main event.





The lights went out and the noise level rose, for the next 70 minutes we communicated with hand signals and yells.







I don't like to stay in one place too long. Every corner holds a different view and I like to see as many as possible, so we set off following the track round. From Paddock Hill Bend up Hailwood Hill to Druids Bend.









Down the slope to Graham Hill Bend and along Cooper Straight.



We then crossed over the Grand Prix loop and made our way to Surtees and Clearways.







And finally Clark Corner and the Brabham Straight.







The race ended with Paffet winning and Spengler second. All three marques got on the podium where Jenson Button handed out the silverware.





Everything after that was going to be quiet and an anticlimax, but we hung around to watch the Lotus race get under way.





Before going back into the paddock for a last look round. The cars now all in Parc Ferme.





The mouthful of a titled "Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series" began, the lumbering V8 racers sliding round and bashing panels.





With tired feet and waiting families at home we decided that much as we'd both like to see the VW Cup, a 5:10pm start would mean a late get away and neither of us had the energy for that! So with a final cheesy photocall we headed home.



It was a fantastic experience, the noise, the crowds. Everything just made it a full on day of action, club racing is great but a proper international series offers so much more. Fingers crossed we'll get back there again soon.

There are loads more photos here

Steve.

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Wind, rain and spinning Beetles

The forecast gave an extreme weather warning, “do not drive unless you have to!” obviously nobody told the drivers at Brands Hatch taking part in the “Lotus Endurance Saturday” with howling gales up to 40mph and monsoon rain lashing down the conditions were tricky to say the least, but the short race program provided plenty of great action. Top of the bill was the 100 minute Lotus race, but we had turned up to cheer on our friend Phil as he made his first RWD race start in a Beetle as part of the Beetle Challenge a class within the tintop race.

Wandering round the pits the majority of the cars seemed to be from the mid to late 1980s, it was retro heaven




Out on track the Beetles were sliding around in the damp


Back in the paddock we caught up with Phil, having qualified third in class he wasn’t last on the grid, smiling but nervous he readied for the first of two races.




In the main Grand Prix paddock garages the Lotus drivers were preparing and qualifying their cars, we took the opportunity to sneak into the workshops for a closer look.








The Beetles lined up for the off, just as the rain started again, keeping a couple of cars behind he finished third in class.






The last race before lunch was part of the Victor Meldrew Trophy, a handicap race with rules so complicated we just watched the cars go round and waited for somebody to pick up the cup at the end!






After the lunch break the second race for the Beetles was due to start, another monster downpour delayed things a little but after a few safety car laps they were away once more, the standing water gathering all round the circuit.








Lap after lap they slid around until Phil pushed a little bit too much coming over Paddock Hill Bend and went round.










He swam round at the back till the flag fell, back in the paddock all the drivers were animated about the weather, but with no bent panels it was a good result, 2010 promises more Beetle Challenge cars racing which is going to be a spectacle.




The final Victor Meldrew Trophy was hard fought as well, with more than a few spins, viewing from the top of Druids Bend you could see the cars race up hill before sliding round and charging down hill to complete the lap.








The final race for the Lotus Endurance started damp but quickly dried out, we watched from the free grandstand before succumbing to the cold and calling it a day, not before more panel damage from the Norfolk cars








That’s the end of the 2009 motorsport season for me, a year that’s seen me at seven different venues watching drag racing, rallying and sprints, roll on 2010. The rest of the photos are here

Steve