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Supercars can learn lessons from the DTM according to Brad Jones, who witnessed the German series’ final round last month.
The Brad Jones Racing team owner took in the DTM series finale at Hockenheim as part of a trip to Europe last month for what was his first experience of the category.
DTM operates under largely different regulations to Supercars with more freedoms and focus around aerodynamics, the use of DRS and control shock absorbers and uprights.
As a result the cars are able to corner much faster and are more stable than a Supercar but in recent years this has detracted from the racing product, leading to a reduction in aerodynamics for this year.
However, Jones was suitably impressed by the championship and feels both DTM and Supercars can learn from each other.
One area he believes Supercars should take note of is the focus on and level of promotion around manufacturers, having described a DTM event as like a ‘motor show’ with its scale of marques’ circuit activations.
This year sees Mercedes leave the sport while Audi and BMW will continue with Aston Martin joining the fold next season.
“The racing is different but it’s one of the leading touring car categories in the world so it was an interesting trip to go and see how it all rolls,” Jones told Speedcafe.com.
“It’s different. They have DRS, they’ve got carbon brakes, you know, they have a wider control in other areas, like aero they have a reasonable amount of freedom, and in areas where we are tight they are a bit looser and vice versa.
“They have a controlled shock absorber control front upright, control rear upright, so for me, it was a really interesting trip.
“I think Supercars can learn from every category and I think those categories can learn from us.
“Do I think they have things that would help our category? Yeah, I do. You’ve got to keep an open mind about it.
“It’s very manufacturer based and they don’t do a lot of celebration around the driver but a lot of celebration around the brand, and the way the manufacturers promote their product at the events is exactly what we should have going on here.
“It’s like a big motor show. So lots of things, that not only with the cars that are quite interesting, but off track, you always wander around, look to see what you can learn and I think there is a bit there you can learn.”
Supercars will operate with manufacturer support from Holden and Ford next year with the latter recommitting to the sport through the new Ford Mustang.
Nissan, which will leave the sport at the end of the year, will still have a presence through Kelly Racing which will continue to run four Altimas.
