Grand-Am, IMSA, and ITR, the parent organization of Germany's DTM series, have signed a licensing agreement intended to bring DTM to North America. The series could begin running as early as 2015, possibly on United Sports Car Racing weekends. USCR is the new joint series that will replace the separate Grand-Am Rolex Series and American Le Mans Series in 2014. (Yes, they eliminate the space in their name, making them United SportsCar Racing, but our editor thinks that's the dumbest vandalism of the language since BMW's EfficientDynamics, so Roundel will continue to insert the space in a continuing effort to preserve the last vestiges of a civilized language.)
The technical regulations for the proposed North American DTM series encompass the rules of both the current DTM series and the Japanese Super GT series. At present, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes contest DTM, while Honda, Nissan, and Toyota are the primary participants in Super GT.
While manufacturers have expressed interest in the series, no commitments have been made at this point. Grand-Am President and CEO Ed Bennett said, "The next steps in this process will involve further discussions with various automotive manufacturers, whose commitment to this concept is essential if a North American DTM-style series is to become reality."
BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt said that BMW "welcomes the planned cooperation between DTM and Grand-Am/IMSA. It represents another important step on the way to the internationalization of DTM. We as BMW are extremely open-minded, regarding these plans. The North American market represents the biggest market area for BMW in general – and the biggest market area for BMW M vehicles, too. BMW has got a great motor-racing tradition in the USA and therefore, we are truly happy about the prospect to also see DTM vehicles racing in the USA, in the future."—Brian S. Morgan
