German DTM vs ALMS GT
02-04-2012, 04:12 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
German DTM vs ALMS GT
I really enjoy watching the German touring cars, partly because of tracks, partly because of the cars and drivers.
Anyone know how their performance compares to ALMS GT?
Anyone know how their performance compares to ALMS GT?
02-04-2012, 04:22 PM
#2
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Lots of down-force, lighter and probably about the same power wise. The new cars for 2012 don't have the same amount of down-force as previous DTM cars but still lots. I would think they'd be a few seconds quicker. 
02-04-2012, 04:50 PM
#3
Melting Slicks
DTM 4.89 lb/HP
C6R GT2 5.84 lb/HP
02-04-2012, 05:07 PM
#4
Race Director
Here's some info about the cars, but I don't know how recent these specs are.
Ive seen some events on Speed Channel and it is very exciting racing. It sounds like they are a very "spec" car, and running here in the States under NASCAR/Grand-Am I'm sure they will have even tighter specs!!
I can tell you that I LOVE my Piloti DTM driving shoes - so much that I have 5 pair!!!
The cars are supposed to be fast and spectacular, while still rather cheap to build and run. All DTM race cars have RWD and 4.0*L V8 engines which are air-restricted to 470*hp, no matter if similar layouts or engines are available in the road cars. Instead of the road car bodies, unrelated purpose-built chassis are used, which are closer to prototype racing. Many drivers have in fact described the handling of the cars as closer to single seater racing cars than road cars. Only the roof sections of the road cars are put on top of the roll cages, and lights and other distinctive design features are used in order to provide a resemblance to the road cars. Also, in order to save money and provide close racing, many common parts from third party specialist are used, like transmission (from Hewland and Xtrac), brakes, and Dunlop Tyres. The all-important aerodynamic configurations are tested in wind tunnels before the season, brought to an equal level, and kept that way throughout the season.
I can tell you that I LOVE my Piloti DTM driving shoes - so much that I have 5 pair!!!
02-04-2012, 05:37 PM
#5
GT2 retains factory frame rails, where I believe DTM (as discussed above) is complete bespoke chassis, which should allow for quite a bit more performance than being limited by factory geometry.
As stated, the downforce levels are much higher in the DTM, so given similar power output between GT2 and DTM I would speculate the laptime difference will be a few seconds in the DTM's favor. It also appears that the DTM run a larger front tire (300/680/R18) than ALMS, so there will be a mechanical grip advantage as well
As stated, the downforce levels are much higher in the DTM, so given similar power output between GT2 and DTM I would speculate the laptime difference will be a few seconds in the DTM's favor. It also appears that the DTM run a larger front tire (300/680/R18) than ALMS, so there will be a mechanical grip advantage as well
02-04-2012, 09:53 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
And just for the heck of it, the Australian V8 Supercars come in about 4.7 lb/HP, so the best ratio of the bunch, although they are the heaviest cars in the group. Definitely not as much downforce as the DTM cars and probably close, but likely a bit less downforce than the ALMS GT2 cars.
02-05-2012, 04:24 AM
#7
Race Director
And just for the heck of it, the Australian V8 Supercars come in about 4.7 lb/HP, so the best ratio of the bunch, although they are the heaviest cars in the group. Definitely not as much downforce as the DTM cars and probably close, but likely a bit less downforce than the ALMS GT2 cars.
02-05-2012, 11:02 AM
#9
And just for the heck of it, the Australian V8 Supercars come in about 4.7 lb/HP, so the best ratio of the bunch, although they are the heaviest cars in the group. Definitely not as much downforce as the DTM cars and probably close, but likely a bit less downforce than the ALMS GT2 cars.
GT2 should be faster, but the race would be closer than GT2 vs DTM
02-05-2012, 11:17 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
The aussie cars run a smaller tire than GT2, run similar brakes hardware, but have brake water-cooling (which GT2 does not).
GT2 should be faster, but the race would be closer than GT2 vs DTM
GT2 should be faster, but the race would be closer than GT2 vs DTM
02-05-2012, 12:20 PM
#12
Drifting
Slightly off topic interesting tidbit. I was recently watching DTM cars running at Valencia Spain. I know its not a comparison with ALMS cars, but I checked the lap times against Moto GP since they run the same track in their series. DTM cars turn almost identical lap times to the Moto GP bikes on that track.
Dog
Dog
02-05-2012, 12:41 PM
#13
Slightly off topic interesting tidbit. I was recently watching DTM cars running at Valencia Spain. I know its not a comparison with ALMS cars, but I checked the lap times against Moto GP since they run the same track in their series. DTM cars turn almost identical lap times to the Moto GP bikes on that track.
Dog
Dog
Moto GP P1 Qualifier 1.21.202
ALMS GT2 P1 Qualifier 1.22.226
So if DTM ~= Moto GP for a given track, ALMS looks to be about 1 second slower
obviously this will change on a slower circuit, but given the small amount of overlap between the two series the statistical population is limited
02-05-2012, 03:26 PM
#14
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Expect a GT2 car to be 1-2 seconds quicker than an FIA GT3 spec car around the same track. Lap record at Zolder for an FIA GT3 spec car is a 1:31.2, DTM is a 1:32.9. However, the GT3 spec cars can run much better tires, and larger rear tires than a DTM car, and the DTM car has spec gearing, while GT3 doesn't. On a fast track like Zolder they would be almost the same, with a GT3/ALMS GT2 car being quicker. On a tighter track the DTM car would be significantly quicker than GT3 spec or ALMS GT2 spec car, due to the fact they have much more downforce and more mechanical grip due to the chassis design.
02-05-2012, 06:55 PM
#16
Race Director
DTM cars certainly LOOK faster, but I think a lot of it has to do with the European track design also. Tracks here seem to favor at least one long straight....seems like the DTM cars are constantly turning.
I'm currently enjoying the FIA GT3 series from the past few years. This guy has all of the races broken down into 45minute segments (15minute pre race plus half race, then 2nd half with post-race stuff)
http://www.youtube.com/user/supergtracing
I'm currently enjoying the FIA GT3 series from the past few years. This guy has all of the races broken down into 45minute segments (15minute pre race plus half race, then 2nd half with post-race stuff)
http://www.youtube.com/user/supergtracing
