The DTM teams, drivers and fans breathe a sigh of relief: In a press release, the ADAC publicly announced that it will take over the DTM brand rights from 2023 and that the series will be held. Due to the closure of the previous DTM umbrella organization ITR at the end of 2022, it was unclear how the traditional series would continue.
“As of next year, ADAC e ADAC.
The previous DTM boss and owner Gerhard Berger had secured the rights to hold a racing series under the prestigious name DTM himself with his Liechtenstein-based company BMS when the takeover took place at the end of 2020. The amount of money they are now going to the ADAC is not known.
“DTM is motorsport cultural asset”
However, the ADAC, which has previously held the DTM competition series ADAC GT Masters, promises that they will strive for a long-term future for the DTM and are aware of its importance. “No other brand represents German motorsport like the DTM,” ADAC Sports President Gerd Ennser is quoted as saying.
“The ADAC is concerned with preserving the DTM, because it is part of motorsport culture. It enjoys an excellent reputation not only in Germany but also in motorsport worldwide. From next year, the DTM will enter a new chapter under the umbrella of the ADAC start their long history.”
How the ADAC decision came about
After the lengthy negotiations between Berger and the ADAC, which have been going on for weeks, things have now happened surprisingly quickly. This could also have something to do with the fact that there was great uncertainty in the scene after the ITR bad news. With a quick announcement that the ADAC 2023 will host the DTM, at least the future is secured, even if many details are still unclear.
The Executive Committee meeting on Thursday and the vote by the ADAC Board of Directors also played a role in this. This consists of the chairmen of the 18 independent ADAC regional clubs (or their deputies on the regional club board) and the members of the ADAC executive committee.
As a rule, decisions of a particularly large scale are approved by this ADAC committee, which means that the management ensures that the regional clubs are also behind them.
More details on the future of DTM on December 8th
But what exactly does the ADAC intend to do with the DTM? The press release did not contain anything about race formats or details about the future schedule of ADAC events, which also include the ADAC GT Masters and the ADAC Racing Weekend. As expected, the calendars for 2023 have not yet been published.
Instead, it was announced that details on the future sporting orientation of the DTM would be given at a press conference in Munich on December 8th. In addition, the ADAC has clarified the objectives with which it intends to set itself for 2023.
“ADAC is also acquiring the DTM brand with the aim of reorganizing the structures in German motorsport, creating synergies in the economic area and consistently pursuing the path towards more sustainability in motorsport,” the press release says. “For all previous participants in the DTM and the ADAC GT Masters, there will be opportunities to get involved on the ADAC platforms in the 2023 season.”