There are many things in life that confuse me. Like why do people press harder on their remote controls when the batteries are dead, and why are fish flakes multi-coloured? But what perplexes me more than anything is why does the DTM continue to run on the Indy circuit at Brands Hatch?
Pole man Gary Paffett leading the procession at Brands Hatch © LS Photos.co.uk
The 1.2-mile circuit does not in any way complement Germany’s top-flight touring car category. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest that it actually does it a great disservice, as the 98-lap event is nothing but a high-speed procession, akin to that of sitting in front of washing machine and watching it go round for an hour.
“The 98 laps in the race do get a bit repetitive.” Not my words, but those of HWA Mercedes driver Jamie Green, who also went on to tell Motorsport News: “You get fed up of going through the same corner all the time.”
So, if someone with one of the best seats in the house – behind the wheel of a 500bhp C-Coupe – finds the experience incredibly dull, then what hope do the spectators and viewers have of fending off the monotony from what is undoubtedly one of the most boring races on the calendar?
Perhaps the most important question, though, is why does the DTM run on such a diminutive circuit anyway?
I contacted circuit operator MotorSport Vision for an answer to this little conundrum and, two weeks on, have yet to receive a response, so I can only speculate as to why the Indy layout is used when the DTM is in town.
I don’t believe – like many have suggested – that it is a case of Brands Hatch having limited use of the longer Grand Prix circuit due to noise restrictions. If that were the case, why hasn’t anyone made use of it since the WTCC went elsewhere after 2010? Well, there are a couple of likely reasons why the DTM hasn’t.
The first is that while the Grand Prix layout is FIA Grade 2 licensed, it does not meet DTM’s stringent safety criteria. Secondly, a common conception is that they use the shorter circuit because it affords the spectators a greater view, plus it also creates an amphitheatre effect, making it look more impressive for the viewers at home.
While they may form part of the spectacle, cramming faces behind fences and bums on seats has absolutely no bearing on the racing action which, in the case of the DTM-Indy circuit combination, is regularly dull and devoid of any entertainment value. It makes you wonder what incentive there is for the series to return to the Kent venue year after year.
Of course, the DTM isn’t renowned for being a hotbed of overtaking, but the new technical regulations – along with BMW’s reappearance – seem to have spiced up the action this season, with the opening two races at Hockenheim and Lausitz serving up a few surprises and some brilliant racing.
With the levelling of the playing field and more talented drivers on the grid – five being of British origin – it is little wonder the series has begun to attract many new followers over here, especially now that race highlights are being shown on the unashamedly blokey channel ITV4.
Undoubtedly some of the series’ new fans ventured to Brands Hatch last weekend for their first live experience of the DTM, and you have to wonder how many grumbled their way back home afterwards, dismayed by the borefest they had witnessed and reluctant to return for more next year.
Which is a shame, because the series has a lot going for it at the moment, with its easily recognisable characters and cars which are fantastically awesome to watch, but not when they’re reigned back due to the confines of such a small venue.
The fundamental problem with running the DTM on the Indy circuit is that it is too small and does not allow the cars to fully stretch their legs. With its fast corners, overtaking is near enough impossible, with only Druids offering the slimmest of opportunities if a driver somehow manages to get a good run on their opponent.
The fact of the matter is that the DTM needs to operate on a circuit that is more fitting of the cars, and if they insist on using Brands Hatch as its UK destination, then series organiser ITR should consider running it to a two-race format to provide some much needed variation. But then, that’s less TV-friendly, so I guess that will never happen, unfortunately.
Image credit: lsphotos.co.uk
While the cars and drivers might, in theory, offer interesting combinations, DTM has been a laughing stock among more serious motorsports fans in here in Germany for years.
And this is not just down to the fact that the aerodynamic characteristics of the cars (new and old) do little to encourage overtaking. It is also the campy way in which the series has chosen to present itself: Fake wooden floors in the pits, “opera” singers presenting the winning driver’s national anthem, and you should just for once have to listen to German TV channel ARDs presentation and commentary.
Constant blue flags against drivers who are actually fighting for positions on track (during the pitstop windows) also do very little to help overtaking. And don’t get me started on the idiotic idea of forcing pit windows on a racing series that does not allow refuelling.
The sad fact is: DTM is not interested in presenting spectacular or even moderately interesting races – they are interested in offering the car makers taking part in the series two hours of airtime, in which untarnished cars and some “well known names” should be seen as representing the brand. Possible controversy created by too much overtaking or (god forbid) the usual touring car-style small nudges and collisions would only hurt that goal.
I have to agree with both the article and the comment from “JustAThought” above.
I enjoyed seeing, and hearing, these machines on track, and I enjoyed photographing them. But the actual racing was dull. There was also a barrage of adverts (in German) on the screens, dodgy pop songs blasted through the PA system at every opportunity, hoardings that were so tall they blocked the spectators’ view at some popular spots, and indeed the opera version of the National Anthem as mentioned above.
You only have to contrast this with the spectators’ obvious delight during the European Nascar support races. On almost every lap there were “oohs” and “ahhs” at the close racing, daring overtaking, and the general mayhem as cars were flung into barriers and each other, yet still continued to race with half of their bodywork missing. I don’t think I heard a single noise during the entire length of the DTM race.
I totally agree and what is the point of the Indy track exactly and what was with closing the inside of druids, can someone please tell me. Oh and while we are on the subject what’s with the restaurant not serving chips (ready cooked chips just sitting there) because its not quite midday? I would email Brands bit sounds like they’re not in a talking mood
A little birdy told me that they have to allow the chips to go cold and become saturated in congealed oil before they can be sold. It’s what the public expects, apparently.
Also to add to above what was with the opera version of the national anthem, just slightly cheesy. The cars look great, sound great and photograph great but it had no soul, not compared to BTCC. Tickets are overpriced too when there is a better atmosphere in my living room.
How could I have forgotten about the chips?? That was certainly the most heinous act of the day.
Not too bad for photographers – getting some 90-odd chances to try and focus out the catch fencing to try and get a picture – but I think the series would be better served on a circuit like Donington Park which would really allow them to stretch their legs. Incidentally the weekend of the DTM at Brands Hatch, the bizarrely named Italian high-end touring car series ‘Superstars’ raced at Donington and by all accounts had a much better race.