DTM is returning to Russia, will visit new racetrack in St. Petersburg
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) completes its calendar for 2020 and announces a return to Russia today at the press conference at the brand-new Igora Drive track facility near St. Petersburg.
The calendar has been released two weeks ago and one venue was still unknown. Today, it was announced that the 4.086 km race track, located 80 kilometers north of St.Petersburg, will host the third round of the 2020 DTM season on May 29-31.
It means that DTM is returning to Russia after three years. Previously, Moscow Raceway hosted DTM five times between 2013 and 2017.
DTM drivers Philipp Eng, Rene Rast and Dani Juncadella at Igora Drive
The state-of-the-art Igora Drive facility includes Grand Prix circuit, motocross and rallycross tracks, driving safety centre and a kart track. The contract with the operators of the Russian racetrack was signed by ITR managing director Achim Kostron at the grand opening of Igora Drive St. Petersburg. Some drivers, including double DTM champion Rene Rast, have been present at the ceremony.
The Igora Drive is located about 80 kilometres north of St. Petersburg and is situated alongside a large holiday resort. The anti-clockwise 4.086-kilometre Grand Prix circuit was designed by the office of world-famous track designer Hermann Tilke and has eight left- and six right-hand turns.
Igora Drive racetrack layout
“We are very happy to have brought the DTM back to Russia after a two-year absence. The Igora Park is a hugely impressive facility, capable of hosting world-class, international motorsport. The track configuration looks set to provide thrilling racing, which will impress spectators in the grandstands as much as the fans watching on their TVs when we visit next May,” said Achim Kostron, Managing Director ITR GmbH.
“I am very curious about what to expect. The track looks extremely interesting: I’ve already looked at some photos and videos on YouTube in order to get a better idea of what the whole thing will look like. It looks pretty fast in some areas – amd that’s exactly what we drivers always want: fast corners where you need to be brave,” said René Rast, 2017 and 2019 DTM champion.
Photos: DTM, Igora Drive,
