DTM to improve tyre marking situation for TV viewers

As of this weekend’s race at the Norisring, the DTM will use an improved system to indicate who is using the option Hankook tyres.

Following confusion at the Hockenheim season opener, where it was difficult to tell who was running which compound, the DTM organiser, the ITR, introduced a brighter written yellow brand name on the Hankook tyre at Spielberg.

However, as of the Norisring, the ITR will make further improvements, by placing sensors mounted to the wheel rims of the cars. These will read an individual code from the tyre, which will then be transmitted to the TV screens to show who is running which compound.

“The use of individual codes that are automatically identified will make the use of the option tyres even more transparent, from the Norisring weekend,” said ITR Chairman, Hans-Werner Aufrecht. “As next step following the bigger yellow identification marks on the tyre sides that we have already been using since Spielberg, this system makes sure that the TV graphics also are up to date at any time.

“This provides the spectators and the TV audience a better overview of what is going on in the race.”

The option Hankook tyres were, like the DRS system, were introduced to the DTM as of the 2013 Hockenheim season opener, in an attempt to spice up the on-track action.