Article: DTM 2012: BMW wins their first DTM race in 20 years at the Lausitzring, Spengler and Farfus finish 1st and 3rd - Ful

[Autobahn335i]

Why does the C-Class have more power and why does the M3 have more weight? It makes no sense BMW would sandbag themselves.

These are the "official" figures. Look how BMW managed to stay well ahead of Mercedes on the straights. Clearly the engine has more output than claimed on the website.

Also, a 100kg difference is HUGE in the world of racing and BMW would never be able to keep the pace if the cars were indeed that heavy. For example, in some racing series (older DTM comes to mind) the winning cars were/are awarded a weight penalty for the next race. This was usually done in 10kg (!) increments, which shows how much 100kg would affect the car's speed.

[Sticky]

These are the "official" figures. Look how BMW managed to stay well ahead of Mercedes on the straights. Clearly the engine has more output than claimed on the website.

Also, a 100kg difference is HUGE in the world of racing and BMW would never be able to keep the pace if the cars were indeed that heavy. For example, in some racing series (older DTM comes to mind) the winning cars were/are awarded a weight penalty for the next race. This was usually done in 10kg (!) increments, which shows how much 100kg would affect the car's speed.

This is exactly what I think. The numbers have to be bogus...

[M3_WC]

This is exactly what I think. The numbers have to be bogus...

I am sure they are exaggerated or completely bogus.

Although the AMG's appear to be the quicker cars...so far. If Paffett could have got around Spengler in the pits, I believe he would have drove away from Spengler. Paffett was on his ass the entire race. In the first race Paffet and Green with clear track gaped 3rd by over 20 seconds.

[DavidV]

The speed difference gets bigger the further the race progresses.
In the start everyone has full tanks, when they get empty the speed of the Mercs shows more and they become much faster.
The lausitzring is just a very difficult circuit to overtake someone.
Mercedes would be way ahead if they would still allow refueling.

[Sticky]

Why weren't the Mercedes cars this fast last year when Audi beat them?

[Sorena]

Why weren't the Mercedes cars this fast last year when Audi beat them?

BMW by joining DTM gave both Audi and Mercedes more motivation to do their best. It seems Benz dumped more money in DTM than Audi.

[Sticky]

BMW by joining DTM gave both Audi and Mercedes more motivation to do their best. It seems Benz dumped more money in DTM than Audi.

The argument could be made BMW wants to show their best after such a long absence. This is simply speculation on your part.

[DavidV]

Why weren't the Mercedes cars this fast last year when Audi beat them?

This yer cars are all completely new cars, with all the same monocoque, shared between all teams.
All teams start with a clean sheet.

[Sorena]

You mean there is nothing in common with last season cars?

[DavidV]

You mean there is nothing in common with last season cars?

As far as I know only the engines form Audi and Mercedes came along to the 2012 car.
Cars are wider then last years car, less downforce, more mechanical grip (wider tires, Hankook rubber trying to do the F1 trick), shared aerodynamical components (rear wing is the same for all teams), shared monocoque.
They had an advantage over BMW, but all teams had to do major work to get the 2012 cars on track.
BMW just also had to set up a production line to make parts for this.
To get all 6 cars ready for qualifying saturday and the race yesterday they had to seriously work overtime to producee the parts after the crashes of last week.
That is why they have only 6 cars in competition this year. They do not have the capacity to produce all spare parts in case of a pile-up...

[Sticky]

As far as I know only the engines form Audi and Mercedes came along to the 2012 car.
Cars are wider then last years car, less downforce, more mechanical grip (wider tires, Hankook rubber trying to do the F1 trick), shared aerodynamical components (rear wing is the same for all teams), shared monocoque.
They had an advantage over BMW, but all teams had to do major work to get the 2012 cars on track.
BMW just also had to set up a production line to make parts for this.
To get all 6 cars ready for qualifying saturday and the race yesterday they had to seriously work overtime to producee the parts after the crashes of last week.
That is why they have only 6 cars in competition this year. They do not have the capacity to produce all spare parts in case of a pile-up...

Was it you who mentioned another reason in a different thread?

[DavidV]

Was it you who mentioned another reason in a different thread?

?

[Sticky]

?

Maybe I'm wrong I thought I asked in another thread about why BMW only had 6 cars.

[DavidV]

No, you did. The answer was the same. BMW lacks production capacity to maintain more then 6 cars, and there were only 3 BMW teams willing/available to participate due to funding.

[Sticky]

No, you did. The answer was the same. BMW lacks production capacity to maintain more then 6 cars, and there were only 3 BMW teams willing/available to participate due to funding.

There we go I just didn't realize the production capacity was limited by funding. Why can Mercedes and Audi meet it?

[DavidV]

Why can Mercedes and Audi meet it?

They allready had all the teams and production in place in their DTM setup from last years.
All BMW teams and car manufacturing is set up from scratch

[GG///M3]

I still want a e30 m3 after all these years. I may have to get 1.

[Sticky]

They allready had all the teams and production in place in their DTM setup from last years.
All BMW teams and car manufacturing is set up from scratch

This makes it a greater expense?

[DavidV]

Expense=time+resources
In short, yes.