DTM: Pit stop rules could be changed for 2008

Plex

The rules for the pit stop window of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters could be changed for the 2008 season. According to Motorsport Aktuell the DMSB and ITR have put forward a proposal where the first pit stop window only lasts for four laps at the start of the second third of the race.

The second pit stop is a bit more free but must still be done before the end of the second third of the race.

Voices have been raised during the last seasons that the pit stop procedure must be changed to make the race more easy to follow for the audience. But also to stop the teams from using their "slower" drivers to get in the way of the top driver from the other teams.

Especially during the 2007 season the teams used this strategy several times. The teams watched their rival team's strategy and told their "slower" drivers to stay out longer without pitting to get in the way of the main rival of the other team. With a smaller pit stop window this is not possible.

The current rules for the pit stops:

Two compulsory pit stops (re-fuelling and tyre change). The first compulsory pit stop may not be made before lap six.

Touringcartimes

Plex · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

Pitstop regulations set for overhaul

The DTM's pitstop regulations could be overhauled this season in an attempt to make the racing more exciting.

Series bosses are expected to introduce pitstop windows for both compulsory stops, which they hope will also make it easier for spectators to keep track of the race.

Audi's head of motorsport Wolfgang Ullrich is confident that the events can be improved for fans and TV viewers.

"We're discussing it all and I'm quite convinced that we'll go into the new season with rules that make the racing more transparent.

"We also want the speed of the drivers to be more of a factor. We want to make races a fight between one car and another from beginning to end."

The previous regulations allowed drivers to make their two pitstops from any time after lap six until the end of the race, which led to cars fighting for position but not being close to each other on the track.

It will also prevent each manufacturer from leaving their slower cars out for longer to hold up their rival front-runners.

Autosport