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Not many people are aware that Québécois Bruno Spengler is on the verge of becoming the European DTM Series champion. It's unfortunate that little is known about this series and this future homegrown champion.
I mentioned that this is a European championship series, but actually it's German. It's a three-way deal between Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Six of the 10 races are held on German racetracks. DTM promotional body, ITR, is making great strides in ''internationalising'' its feature race series.
Speaking of taking the series abroad; DTM officials visited Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal and also met with Octane boss, François Dumontier. ''Yes, DTM is capable and willing of presenting a DTM event in Montreal, but let's be clear on this: It can't happen before 2014,'' confirmed Dumontier.
Spengler really is from here. He was born in Montebello, his parents are of French-Alsatian origin, and he still holds a Canadian racing permit. Both his race suit and car are adorned with the maple leaf. If he manages to grab the championship title this Sunday, he will be the first non-European to accomplish this feat.
This isn't Spengler's first crack at the DTM title. He piloted a Mercedes for seven seasons, finishing twice in second place and another two times in third place. We must admit that his employer at the time never played the ''team'' card, letting him fend off contenders all by himself, specifically Audi, who methodically managed their drivers and strategy to come away with the big prize.
Spengler grew weary of the prevailing mood at Mercedes, and luckily answered BMW's call last fall to join their team. BMW, who are back in DTM after a 20-year hiatus, didn't expect to win a single race in 2012, never mind winning the whole deal.
Nonetheless, the M3 DTM, against all odds, is a huge success. Bruno won his second race! This was followed by two more wins, which leaves him in second place (three points behind points leader Garry Paffett of Mercedes) heading into the final race in Hockenheim this weekend.
Of course, DTM is not as prestigious as Formula 1. However, compared to most other Canadian drivers, Spengler receives a secured and steady ride, and a salary to drive. After scrounging around for sponsors for many years in Formula Renault and F3, Spengler did not need to find sponsors once he was fully integrated into the DTM series.
We would like to remind you that Auto123.com will be reporting live from the Hockenheim racecourse for Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race.
Spengler holds a special place in our hearts here at Auto123.com, as he is a regular contributor. We wish him good luck and sincerely hope that this pivotal and decisive race will be free of disreputable tactics and avoidable collisions.
 |
| Photo: DTM Presse |
I mentioned that this is a European championship series, but actually it's German. It's a three-way deal between Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Six of the 10 races are held on German racetracks. DTM promotional body, ITR, is making great strides in ''internationalising'' its feature race series.
Speaking of taking the series abroad; DTM officials visited Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal and also met with Octane boss, François Dumontier. ''Yes, DTM is capable and willing of presenting a DTM event in Montreal, but let's be clear on this: It can't happen before 2014,'' confirmed Dumontier.
Spengler really is from here. He was born in Montebello, his parents are of French-Alsatian origin, and he still holds a Canadian racing permit. Both his race suit and car are adorned with the maple leaf. If he manages to grab the championship title this Sunday, he will be the first non-European to accomplish this feat.
This isn't Spengler's first crack at the DTM title. He piloted a Mercedes for seven seasons, finishing twice in second place and another two times in third place. We must admit that his employer at the time never played the ''team'' card, letting him fend off contenders all by himself, specifically Audi, who methodically managed their drivers and strategy to come away with the big prize.
Spengler grew weary of the prevailing mood at Mercedes, and luckily answered BMW's call last fall to join their team. BMW, who are back in DTM after a 20-year hiatus, didn't expect to win a single race in 2012, never mind winning the whole deal.
Nonetheless, the M3 DTM, against all odds, is a huge success. Bruno won his second race! This was followed by two more wins, which leaves him in second place (three points behind points leader Garry Paffett of Mercedes) heading into the final race in Hockenheim this weekend.
Of course, DTM is not as prestigious as Formula 1. However, compared to most other Canadian drivers, Spengler receives a secured and steady ride, and a salary to drive. After scrounging around for sponsors for many years in Formula Renault and F3, Spengler did not need to find sponsors once he was fully integrated into the DTM series.
We would like to remind you that Auto123.com will be reporting live from the Hockenheim racecourse for Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race.
Spengler holds a special place in our hearts here at Auto123.com, as he is a regular contributor. We wish him good luck and sincerely hope that this pivotal and decisive race will be free of disreputable tactics and avoidable collisions.
 |
| Photo: DTM Presse |