DTM and Super GT (plus IMSA) have moved a major step closer to the establishment of a truly common rule set for the ‘Class One’ with the announcement that joint races are planned between the DTM and Super GT teams in 2017 and 2018.

Since the beginning of the 2014 season, the technical regulations, mainly in the chassis and the aero areas, have been identical, in the two current series and from 2017, there also will be joint engine regulations for c.600bhp four cylinder two litre turbo motors.

Discussions have involved DTM rights holder and promoter ITR e.V., the Japanese Super-GT organisers GTA and all the manufacturers involved.

Plans are now coming together for a pair of showcase races with the three current DTM manufacturers (Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz), due to go head to head with Super GT’s Honda, Lexus and Nissan in a race in Japan post season in 2017, with a ‘return bout’ in Germany early the following year.

No solution has yet been announced for those races over tyre regulations, DTM features spec Hankook rubber whilst Super GT has a multi way tyre war with several factory teams firmly aligned with he major tyre suppliers.