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Sporting Regulations

30/05/2002

New: Points scheme and start like in Formula 1

Also with respect to the sporting regulations, changes in detail are adding spice to the DTM. The basic concept introduced in 2001, with a short qualification race (35 km) and a main race (100 km) including mandatory pit stop has proven to be successful and therefore remains upright.

In order to make things more transparent for the spectators, the ITR has changed two things. Firstly, there is no longer a flying start (Indianapolis start), but a standing start (Grand Prix start), like in Formula 1.

The new points scheme also follows the one used in motorsport's premier league, because it is known to everybody and everybody understands it. Now, there will be points for first to sixth place in the main race (10 - 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1) instead of - so far - for first to tenth place. Because the points scheme for first to third place (3 - 2 - 1 points) in the qualification race remains upright, this race becomes more important. The driver who has the most points at the end of the season will be German touring car champion. The respective number of points of the drivers will also be counted for the teams. Here, there is an end-of-season classification as well.

As usual, between the qualification race and the main race, there is a 25 minutes' break, in which the mechanics can prepare the cars of their drivers for the deciding main race.

Another small change: so far, the safety car of the DTM has been driving one more lap in front of the field with the lights switched off, when it had just been decided to re-start the race. In the DTM 2002, this extra lap with lights switched off will no longer exist. Instead, the safety-car will directly drive into the pitlane, when the race director has decided to re-start the race. Also new: should a driver have a problem with his car on the starting grid, he can signify this to the race director and the drivers behind him by means of a flashing warning light, which can be activated in such a case by pushing a button.

Twelve exciting qualifying laps

On Saturday, the day of the qualifiying practice, things remain unchanged. Like last year, drivers have twelve laps in the 45 minutes' practice session to reach a top time. Apart from the first lap after leaving the pitlane and the cooling-down lap, four possible fast laps remain (unless, of course, several fast laps are being completed in a row). On Friday, the day before, a roll-out of 15 minutes and two test sessions of 90 minutes each are planned.